Fall & Winter Fabrics Worth Investing In: A Guide to Dressing Better for the Cold

There is something about the first hint of fall that makes you want to completely rethink your wardrobe.

The linen shirts and breezy summer dresses begin moving toward the back of the closet, while sweaters, wool coats, boots, and beautiful layers finally get their moment again.

But before filling your closet with everything cozy, there’s one thing worth paying attention to:

The fabric tag.

When it comes to fall and winter clothing, fabric can make the difference between a sweater you wear for one season and a piece you reach for year after year.

If you’re trying to build a timeless wardrobe—or simply become a smarter secondhand shopper—these are the fall and winter fabrics worth knowing and investing in.

1. Cashmere

Few fabrics are more closely associated with quiet luxury than cashmere.

Made from the fine undercoat of cashmere goats, genuine cashmere is incredibly soft and warm without being excessively heavy.

Why it’s worth investing in:

• Lightweight but warm
• Soft against the skin
• Layers beautifully
• Looks elegant with very little effort
• Can last for years when properly cared for

A simple cashmere crewneck in camel, navy, gray, ivory, or black is one of those pieces you’ll find yourself wearing constantly.

At the Thrift Rack

Always check the sweater section for cashmere.

Don’t assume an unfamiliar brand isn’t worth picking up. A beautifully made 100% cashmere sweater from an obscure label may be a much better find than a recognizable brand made primarily from acrylic.

Check carefully for moth holes, especially around the neckline, cuffs, underarms, and waistband.

Fashion Encyclopedia Tip: Some pilling on cashmere is normal and can often be removed with a cashmere comb or fabric shaver.

2. Merino Wool

If regular wool makes you think of heavy, itchy sweaters, merino might change your mind.

Merino wool comes from Merino sheep and has much finer fibers than many traditional wools.

It’s warm, breathable, moisture-wicking, and surprisingly lightweight.

Look for it in:

• Turtlenecks
• Base layers
• Sweaters
• Cardigans
• Dresses
• Scarves
• Socks

Fine-gauge merino sweaters are particularly useful because they can be worn alone in early fall and layered under jackets and coats when temperatures drop.

3. Lambswool

Lambswool is taken from a sheep’s first shearing and is generally softer and finer than traditional wool.

It gives you that wonderful, substantial sweater texture associated with classic New England and British country style.

Think:

Jeans + loafers + Oxford shirt + lambswool sweater = fall perfection.

Look for vintage lambswool sweaters when thrifting. Older knitwear can be beautifully made and surprisingly affordable secondhand.

4. Traditional Wool

There is a reason humans have relied on wool for centuries.

It’s warm, durable, naturally insulating, and perfect for cold-weather clothing.

Wool is particularly worth seeking out in:

• Overcoats
• Blazers
• Trousers
• Skirts
• Sweaters
• Scarves
• Suits

When comparing two coats that look similar, check their fabric labels. A coat with a high wool content can be a much better long-term investment than one made almost entirely from polyester.

That doesn’t mean every blend is bad. Blending wool with other fibers can improve durability or reduce cost. The important thing is understanding what you’re paying for.

5. Tweed

Tweed isn’t technically a fiber—it’s a woven wool fabric—but it absolutely deserves a place on this list.

Its textured appearance gives an outfit instant character.

Tweed is particularly beautiful in:

• Blazers
• Sport coats
• Skirts
• Coats
• Vests

Herringbone, Donegal, and traditional checked tweeds are especially timeless.

Pair a tweed blazer with jeans and loafers and suddenly a very simple outfit looks incredibly intentional.

6. Corduroy

Corduroy may be one of fall’s most underrated fabrics.

Its distinctive raised ridges, called wales, give it texture and warmth without feeling overly formal.

You’ll commonly find it in:

• Pants
• Blazers
• Button-up shirts
• Skirts
• Dresses
• Jackets

For a timeless fall wardrobe, look for corduroy in camel, chocolate brown, olive, burgundy, navy, rust, and cream.

And yes—vintage corduroy can be fantastic.

7. Flannel

Flannel isn’t just plaid.

That’s an important distinction.

Flannel describes the fabric, not the pattern.

It is a soft woven fabric that has typically been brushed to create its slightly fuzzy texture. Although often made from cotton today, flannel can also be made from wool.

A beautifully made flannel shirt is one of the easiest pieces to incorporate into a casual fall wardrobe.

Try one with straight-leg jeans, leather boots, and a wool coat for an easy New England-inspired look.

8. Alpaca

If you come across an alpaca sweater while thrifting, take a second look.

Alpaca fiber is prized for its softness, warmth, and lightweight feel. It can feel wonderfully luxurious without the heaviness of some traditional wool garments.

Alpaca is particularly lovely for:

• Sweaters
• Cardigans
• Scarves
• Wraps
• Coats

You’ll also frequently encounter alpaca blended with wool or other fibers.

9. Mohair

Mohair comes from the Angora goat and is recognizable for its soft, slightly fuzzy appearance.

It adds beautiful texture to fall and winter outfits and often appears in sweaters, cardigans, scarves, and coats.

Mohair blends are common, so don’t immediately dismiss a garment because it isn’t 100% mohair.

A good-quality mohair blend can still be a wonderful cold-weather piece.

10. Leather

A good leather jacket can last decades.

That’s one reason vintage leather is so worth searching for.

Unlike many synthetic alternatives, quality leather develops character as it ages.

Fall is the perfect season for:

• Leather jackets
• Loafers
• Riding boots
• Handbags
• Belts
• Gloves

Look for leather that feels supple rather than brittle and inspect older pieces for cracking, peeling, stains, and excessive dryness.

11. Suede

Suede has an almost magical ability to make an outfit feel like fall.

Its soft, matte texture works beautifully with wool, denim, corduroy, and cashmere.

Chocolate brown, camel, cognac, olive, and tan suede are particularly timeless.

Try incorporating it through a jacket, handbag, loafer, ankle boot, or belt rather than building an entire outfit around it.

12. Cotton

Cotton doesn’t disappear when summer ends.

In fact, heavier cotton fabrics are fantastic for transitional weather.

Look for:

• Cotton cable-knit sweaters
• Oxford shirts
• Heavyweight tees
• Chinos
• Denim
• Cotton cardigans
• Canvas jackets

A chunky cotton sweater can also be a great alternative for someone who doesn’t enjoy the feel of wool.

Fabrics to Think Twice About

Synthetic fibers aren’t automatically bad.

Polyester, nylon, acrylic, and other manufactured fibers can add durability, stretch, water resistance, and affordability to clothing.

The problem comes when you’re paying premium prices for garments made primarily from inexpensive synthetics when a higher-quality alternative is available.

Acrylic deserves particular attention when sweater shopping.

It can mimic the fuzzy appearance of wool or cashmere but often doesn’t provide the same longevity, breathability, or feel.

Instead of automatically avoiding synthetics, ask:

What purpose is this fiber serving in this garment?

That’s a much better way to evaluate quality.

The Fall Fabric Color Palette

Beautiful fabric becomes even more versatile when you choose colors that work together.

For a timeless autumn wardrobe, look for:

• Camel
• Chocolate brown
• Cream
• Oatmeal
• Navy
• Forest green
• Olive
• Burgundy
• Charcoal
• Rust
• Cognac
• Deep red

These colors layer beautifully and return season after season.

At the Thrift Rack: Check the Tag First

Here’s one of my favorite secondhand shopping habits:

Before getting excited about the brand, check the fabric label.

That little tag can completely change how you look at a garment.

A no-name 100% cashmere sweater for $6?

I’m looking twice.

A beautifully tailored wool blazer from a label I’ve never heard of?

Absolutely worth investigating.

A gorgeous vintage leather jacket?

Check that condition.

An expensive brand with a sweater that’s mostly acrylic?

I’m probably thinking twice.

Learning fabrics turns thrifting into something of a treasure hunt. Eventually, you’ll start recognizing quality before you even look at the label.

The Fall & Winter Fabric Cheat Sheet

For luxurious sweaters:
Cashmere, merino, lambswool, alpaca and mohair.

For coats and blazers:
Wool, tweed, cashmere blends and quality leather.

For casual fall clothing:
Corduroy, flannel, denim and heavyweight cotton.

For shoes and accessories:
Leather, suede, wool and cashmere.

For timeless pieces worth hunting secondhand:
100% cashmere, quality wool, vintage leather, tweed and natural-fiber knitwear.

Buy Better, Not More

Building a fall wardrobe doesn’t mean buying an entirely new closet every September.

In fact, the most beautiful cold-weather wardrobes often contain pieces that have been collected slowly over many years.

A great wool coat.

A cashmere sweater.

A pair of leather loafers.

A tweed blazer.

A beautifully broken-in leather bag.

These aren’t pieces you need to replace every season—and that’s exactly the point.

When you understand fabrics, you can stop asking, “Is this brand good?” and start asking a much better question:

“Is this garment good?”

And once you learn the difference, shopping secondhand becomes a whole lot more fun.

At Under There Finds, we’re always searching for beautifully made secondhand pieces with timeless style, because a great wardrobe doesn’t have to be brand new—or cost a fortune.