The differences between various fabrics

Hello!
KLD is a second-hand brand clothing store.

Today, for those of you who are wondering, "There are a lot of different materials for clothing, but I honestly don't know the differences...", I would like to talk about the characteristics of the materials commonly used in general clothing.

I will talk about it in this way.

If you'd like to know the characteristics of the material used in your favorite clothes, or if you want to buy some clothes but don't know what material would suit you, be sure to check this out!

Natural materials

cotton

The most commonly used fabric, used for a variety of purposes from innerwear to outerwear, is cotton.

"Cotton" is a material also known as "cotton wool," and is a fabric woven from fibers extracted from perennial plants belonging to the genus Gossypium and the family Malvaceae.

The 100% cotton fabric is soft to the touch, gentle on the skin, and has excellent breathability and absorbency.

For example, the "cotton broadcloth" and "sheeting" fabrics used for shirts are basic fabrics that are made using a method called plain weave, and are smooth fabrics with no nap. Depending on the thickness of the thread used, they are mostly thin and are often used for shirts that can be worn all year round, and for spring and summer items.

You may be wondering, "Is cotton only used for thin fabrics?" but that's not necessarily the case. Brushed flannel, thickly woven canvas, and denim are also often made from cotton.

Additionally, shirts made from Oxford fabric are also popular as they are slightly thicker and more casual.
Another popular option is to make yarn and turn it into cotton knitwear.

In this way, cotton is a material that can be used in a variety of thicknesses and for a variety of seasons, depending on the weaving method and thickness of the thread.

Examples of cotton fabric products

wool

Wool is a natural material that can be said to be the main player in winter.

Wool is made by shorn sheep's wool and spinning it into thread and weaving it.
Knitwear made from thick yarn is a winter staple.

You might think that wool only refers to sheep's wool, but strictly speaking, wool from animals other than sheep, such as alpaca, angora (rabbit), cashmere (goat), etc., is also called wool.

You may sometimes see the Japanese word "wool" written on the inner tags of clothes, but this word is also used to refer to animal hair other than wool, such as those mentioned above.

As it is a material that is very useful in winter, its greatest feature is its heat retention.
Since this fur was used to protect animals' bodies from the cold, it is extremely warm when worn on cold days.

In addition, it has excellent moisture absorption and release properties, so innerwear made from materials such as merino wool (wool from Merino sheep) is less likely to smell even after wearing it for several days and stays clean! This is why it seems to have many enthusiastic fans among outdoor enthusiasts. (Apparently, the effects are felt differently by each individual.)

Merino wool products here

Due to its high functionality, thinly woven wool fabrics such as summer wool and tropical wool have been developed for wearing in the summer.

This material is lightweight, cool, and thinly woven while still being moisture-absorbent, making it ideal for dressy slacks and jackets, and is a material that you will often see in men's brands.

Linen/ramie/hemp

Some comfortable materials that you should definitely incorporate into your spring and summer wardrobe are those made from linen, ramie, and hemp.

The greatest feature of linen material is its crisp firmness and elasticity.

The firm fabric does not stick to the skin and is comfortable to wear in the summer, and its good ventilation is also an attractive feature.

In addition, the fabric itself is highly absorbent and breathable, allowing you to stay comfortable even in sweaty seasons.

Even though they are all made from the same material, such as linen, ramie, and hemp, the feel and texture can differ depending on the variety, but they all share a firm, crisp texture that becomes softer with each wash.

Although we mentioned above that linen is recommended for summer, materials such as linen have the characteristic of trapping air within their fibers, so you can expect them to have good heat retention in winter and make them a comfortable material all year round.

Linen knitwear is also available, and low-gauge knitwear (loosely knitted with thick yarn) tends to feel heavy.

The material has a solid feel, which is one of the charms of linen.

Click here for products using linen

silk

Among natural materials, silk is probably the material that has the most luxurious image.

Silk is made from the cocoons produced by silkworms. The cocoons are softened in hot water, and the extremely fine fibers are twisted together to spin thread, which is then made into fabric.

Considering the effort involved and the cost of raising silkworms, it's easy to see why it is considered a luxury material.

Furthermore, its high quality is also the reason for its luxury status.

Not only is it beautiful with its delicate luster, but it is also made of proteins that are similar to human skin, so it is gentle on the skin because it has water retention properties, it is comfortable to the skin because it has excellent moisture absorption/release properties, and it absorbs and protects from ultraviolet rays. It is also highly functional, and it is easy to see why it has been loved since ancient times.

Because it is a delicate material, there are also some disadvantages, such as it easily discolors in sunlight, is prone to stains when wet, tends to shrink when washed in water, is weak to friction, and is easily eaten by insects. Due to the delicate nature of the natural material, it can be difficult to handle.

Therefore, I get the impression that many people buy silk clothing as something to wear on special occasions, and then have it washed at a dry cleaner's.

In addition to the shiny, smooth fabrics that we generally imagine, there are also fabrics that use silk, including non-shiny silk fabrics that have a rough feel with intentional neps (clusters of fibers) left in them, and at first glance you might think they have pilling.

However, this is also a fabric with its own unique appeal, as it retains the gentleness of silk on the skin and can be worn without as much care as shiny fabrics, and is therefore sold by natural brands and brands that make high-quality everyday clothes, such as COMOLI.

Click here for products made from nep silk

Silk material is also available in knitted form, and many of them seem to be fine, high-gauge knitwear.
Thanks to the quality of the material, it is an elegant knit fabric with a subtle sheen.

List of items using silk material

Japanese paper

A somewhat unique type of natural material that has become more common in recent years is "washi paper."

Japanese paper and Western paper are actually made from different materials, such as plants, and it seems that Japanese paper is much more durable than Western paper.

Therefore, even when made into fabric, washi paper is highly durable and is attracting attention as an environmentally friendly material.

It is made in the same way as regular washi paper, by filtering plant fibers into paper, cutting it into thin tapes, twisting them into thread, and weaving them into fabric.

The defining feature of fabrics made from washi paper is that it has a dry, silky feel that is pleasant to the touch.

The fabric is smooth and firm, and does not easily pill, making it comfortable to wear even in hot weather, and it does not stick to the skin easily.

It also has excellent water absorption and release properties, and dries quickly, making it the perfect material for summer clothing.

Additionally, its excellent ability to absorb oils and fats is something not often found in other fibers, and this could be one of the reasons why fabrics made with washi feel so comfortable.

When knitted, it is called "paper yarn" and retains the comfortable, dry touch that is unique to washi paper.
It is a very popular knit for spring and summer.

Click here for products made from washi paper

Chemical Fibers

polyester

Polyester is the most widely produced synthetic fiber fabric in the world.

It's inexpensive, durable, easy to wash, and has the image of being a great choice for everyday wear.

It is a synthetic fiber made primarily from petroleum.

The fabric is light, wrinkle-resistant, and quick-drying, so it is often used in sportswear and outdoor wear.

However, they do not absorb sweat and, depending on the way they are woven, many of them have poor breathability, so many people say they are not recommended for the hot summer months.

However, polyester blouses and the like are easy to wash, and as long as you pay attention to the fabric of your innerwear, you won't find them so uncomfortable that you can't wear them.

The texture of the fabric varies, from shiny, silky fabrics to thick, sturdy fabrics, some that are transparent, and some that are not.It is a material that can be shaped quite freely.

Polyester is also easy to process, making it ideal for making skirts with fine pleats.

Polyester knits are said to be slightly more prone to pilling than natural materials, so if you take good care of them on a daily basis and wear them with care to avoid friction as much as possible, you can make them last longer.

Click here for products using polyester

nylon

Nylon is a popular synthetic fiber material alongside polyester.

Many people may already know this material when they think of it, as it is used in pouches, backpacks, and durable eco-bags.

Nylon is the world's first synthetic fiber, and its creation dates back to 1936.
Surprisingly (?), it is a material with a long history.

It is a tough-looking material that can be made into a mesh pattern to make stockings, or its elasticity can be used to make swimsuits.

Like polyester, it is wrinkle-resistant and resistant to friction, making it a very easy material to handle.

Click here for products using nylon

Polyurethane

Many people may be confused with polyester because the name is similar.

Polyurethane is also known as spandex or elastane, and is a material known as "polyurethane elastic fiber."

Polyurethane elastic fiber is a type of chemical fiber made from plastic and was developed as a substitute for rubber.

As it is a substitute for rubber, it is used in products that take advantage of its elasticity, and for general clothing, rather than being made into 100% polyurethane fabric, it is often blended with other materials to give the fabric stretchiness.

For example, if you look at the inner tag of stretch denim, you will almost certainly see the word "polyurethane (or spandex, elastane)" written on it.

Stretch material products are available here

The downside is that it is less durable and it is difficult to keep it in the same condition as when you first purchased it.

However, if you follow the care instructions on the inside tag, you should be able to wear it without any problems, just like clothes made from other materials.

acrylic

Acrylic is a synthetic fiber that is said to feel the most similar to wool.

It's a material that is often processed into yarn and knitted.

You may have seen acrylic yarn displayed alongside wool yarn at craft stores.

It is characterized by its plumpness, softness, and elasticity.
Another attractive feature is that it is less susceptible to insect damage than natural wool.

Since it is somewhat prone to pilling, care should be taken to avoid friction.
Also, could it be considered a disadvantage that it is not as warm as wool when worn?

Acrylic knitwear is often cheaper to purchase than wool, so if you want to easily incorporate knitwear into your fall and winter fashion, it's a good idea to consider acrylic as a material.

Items made of acrylic are available here

Rayon

Rayon is a material that can be used to create fabrics with a unique softness and viscosity.

This material is often used for the fabric of aloha shirts.

Rayon is different from petroleum-derived materials such as polyester, and is actually a "regenerated fiber" that is originally made from natural materials.

It is made by chemically processing plant materials extracted from wood pulp, so if it is properly treated it is a material that can be returned to nature.

This material was originally developed as a substitute for silk, and because it was made with a focus on delicate beauty, there were issues with durability when it was first developed, but these have now been improved to the point where it can be worn on an everyday basis without any problems.

Compared to polyester, it has the disadvantage of being slightly more prone to wrinkling, but on the other hand, it has a beautiful drape and luster.

It goes well with dyeing and has beautiful colors, so it is highly valued for its ability to accurately reproduce the flashy patterns of aloha shirts.

Click here for items using rayon

What is blending?

Finally, I would like to say a few words about fabric blends.

Blending is the process of combining two or more types of fibres to make yarn.

For example, even among the materials introduced here, there are many blended materials that can take advantage of the strengths of each material or compensate for its weak points by blending them in various combinations.

If you look at the inside tag of a piece of clothing, you may see something like "60% cotton, 40% polyester."

When we say this, we mostly mean that they are made from a blend of fabrics.

For example, wool and acrylic are blended to create a cheaper product than 100% wool knitwear, and a fabric that is a 60%/40% blend of cotton and nylon is called "60/40 cloth" and is used in traditional outdoor wear.

In this way, blending, which allows us to create fabrics that take advantage of the advantages of various materials, has become an essential technique in modern clothing production.

To those who have read this far

Thank you for reading this far!

You may be vaguely familiar with the various materials used in clothing, their names and textures, but there are probably some materials that you don't know about their detailed characteristics.

Choosing the right material for the season will make your stay more comfortable.

Please use this as a reference when choosing clothes!

thank you very much!

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