The vocabulary around fashion can be intimidating. With greater demand for natural fabrics, there can be a lot of confusion about the difference between certain fabrics choices, or when a synthetic option is the most practical addition.
We have created this guide to the features and benefits of some of the highest quality materials used in our range of plus size women’s garments to assist our valued clients in feeling confident with their purchase decisions.
Cashmere
Cashmere fabric, known for its luxurious softness and unparalleled comfort, is a prized material. Crafted from the fine undercoat of cashmere goats, this exquisite fabric boasts numerous features and benefits that elevate any garment it adorns. Its lightweight nature makes it perfect for both cool summer evenings and chilly winter days, providing warmth without bulkiness. The inherent breathability of cashmere ensures that wearers stay cozy yet never overheated. Beyond its tactile allure, cashmere is renowned for its durability, with proper care ensuring longevity that transcends seasons. Additionally, its hypoallergenic properties make it ideal for sensitive skin, offering a gentle touch against the body. Whether fashioned into sweaters, scarves, or wraps, cashmere garments exude timeless elegance and sophistication, making them a coveted addition to any wardrobe. Maintain the appearance of your cashmere garments with careful wool shaving or brushing to remove any naturally occurring pilling.
Silk
Silk fabric, renowned for its lustrous sheen and sumptuous feel, epitomizes elegance and luxury. Derived from the delicate threads spun by silkworms, this exquisite material boasts a myriad of features and benefits. Its smooth texture drapes gracefully against the body, flattering the wearer with a natural, flattering silhouette. Silk’s inherent breathability ensures comfort in various climates, keeping the body cool in hot weather and providing insulation during cooler temperatures. Moreover, silk possesses moisture-wicking properties, drawing perspiration away from the skin to keep you feeling fresh and dry. Its hypoallergenic nature makes it gentle on sensitive skin, minimizing irritation and discomfort. From flowing dresses to tailored blouses, silk garments exude sophistication and timeless charm, making them a staple in any discerning wardrobe.
Cotton
Cotton stands as a cornerstone in the world of clothing, celebrated for its versatility, comfort, and breathability. Derived from the fluffy fibres surrounding cotton seeds, this natural material offers an array of features and benefits. Its soft and gentle touch against the skin makes it an ideal choice for everyday wear, ensuring comfort throughout the day. Cotton’s exceptional breathability allows air to circulate freely, keeping the body cool and comfortable in warm weather. Additionally, cotton is highly absorbent, wicking moisture away from the skin, making it a practical choice for active lifestyles and humid climates. Its durability ensures longevity, withstanding frequent washing and wear without losing its shape or integrity. Furthermore, cotton’s hypoallergenic properties make it suitable for sensitive skin, minimizing the risk of irritation or allergic reactions. Whether fashioned into casual tees, summer dresses, or cozy sweaters, cotton garments offer timeless style and unbeatable comfort for all occasions.
Linen
Linen is famous for adding timeless elegance and understated luxury to your summer wardrobe, offering a plethora of features and benefits. Crafted from the fibres of the flax plant, linen boasts a natural lustre and crisp texture that lends a refined charm to any garment. Its lightweight and breathable nature make it perfect for warm climates, allowing air to circulate freely and keeping the wearer cool and comfortable. Linen’s absorbent properties make it adept at wicking away moisture, ensuring freshness even on the hottest days. Additionally, linen is known for its durability and strength, becoming softer and more supple with each wear and wash. Its natural resistance to bacteria and allergens makes it an ideal choice for those with sensitive skin, offering a gentle touch against the body. From breezy summer dresses to tailored trousers, linen garments exude effortless sophistication and timeless style, making them a staple in your holiday wardrobe.
Viscose
Viscose – also known as rayon – presents a unique blend of features and benefits. Crafted from natural fibres like wood pulp, viscose combines the best of both worlds: the luxurious feel of natural materials and the versatility of synthetic fabrics. Its silky texture drapes elegantly against the body, offering a smooth and flattering silhouette. Viscose boasts excellent breathability and superb moisture-wicking properties, allowing air to circulate freely and keeping the wearer cool and comfortable in various climates. Its lightweight nature makes it ideal for layering or wearing in warmer weather, while its durability ensures longevity with proper care. Additionally, viscose is often praised for its vibrant colors and drape, making it a popular choice for flowing dresses, blouses, and other feminine garments. Overall, viscose fabric combines style, comfort, and practicality, making it a versatile addition to any wardrobe.
Acrylic benefits knitwear
Acrylic is prized for its affordability, durability, and versatility, offering a host of features and benefits that make it a popular choice in clothing and knitwear. This synthetic material boasts a soft and wool-like texture that provides warmth and comfort without the weight of traditional wool. Its excellent insulating properties make it ideal for chilly weather, keeping wearers cozy and snug. Acrylic’s moisture-wicking abilities ensure that it remains dry and comfortable, even during periods of activity. Additionally, acrylic is highly resistant to fading, stretching, and wrinkling, making it a practical choice for everyday wear. Its colour retention allows for vibrant and long-lasting hues, ensuring that garments retain their visual appeal over time. Moreover, acrylic is easy to care for, as it is machine washable and dries quickly. Whether fashioned into sweaters and cardigans or socks and scarves, acrylic knitwear offers both style and functionality, making it a staple in any wardrobe, especially for those seeking warmth and durability at an affordable price.
Wool
Wool is celebrated for its natural warmth, resilience, and timeless appeal, boasting a myriad of features and benefits that set it apart in the world of clothing. Derived from the soft fleece of sheep and other animals, wool offers unparalleled insulation, keeping wearers cozy in cold weather while remaining breathable to prevent overheating. Wool is naturally resistant to wrinkles and odors, maintaining a fresh and neat appearance with minimal effort. Furthermore, its elasticity and resilience allow garments to retain their shape and structure over time, making wool clothing a long-lasting investment. Additionally, wool is highly versatile, capable of being woven or knitted into a wide range of garments, from cozy sweaters and scarves to sophisticated suits and coats. Its natural flame resistance and biodegradability further contribute to its appeal, making wool fabric not only practical but also environmentally friendly. Whether worn for weekend walks or formal occasions, wool clothing exudes timeless style, comfort, and durability.
Triacetate
Triacetate is valued for its luxurious appearance, wrinkle resistance, and ease of care, and provides a unique array of features and benefits that make it a sought-after choice in garment construction. This semi-synthetic material is derived from cellulose fibres and is known for its smooth, lustrous finish that resembles silk. Triacetate’s exceptional draping quality lends an elegant and polished look to garments, making it ideal for tailored pieces and formalwear. Moreover, its inherent resistance to wrinkles ensures that clothing maintains a crisp and neat appearance throughout the day, even during extended wear. Additionally, triacetate fabric is highly resilient to shrinking and stretching, allowing garments to retain their shape and structure over time. Its quick-drying properties make it a practical choice for travel and on-the-go lifestyles, while its resistance to moisture absorption ensures comfort in various climates. Furthermore, triacetate is easy to care for, often requiring simple machine washing and minimal ironing. Whether fashioned into sleek dresses, sophisticated suits, or elegant blouses, triacetate fabric offers a combination of style, durability, and convenience that appeals to discerning women seeking refined yet practical attire.
Polyester
Polyester is prized for its durability, versatility, and affordability, offering a multitude of features and benefits that make it a popular choice in womenswear. This synthetic material is prized for its strength and resistance to stretching, shrinking, and wrinkles, ensuring that garments maintain their shape and appearance over time. Its quick-drying properties make it ideal for activewear and outdoor clothing, allowing wearers to stay comfortable and dry during physical activities. Additionally, polyester is highly resistant to fading and staining, ensuring that colours remain vibrant and garments look new even after repeated washes. Its low moisture absorbency means that polyester clothing dries quickly, making it a practical choice for humid climates or when on the go. Moreover, polyester is often blended with other fibres to enhance its performance and texture, resulting in garments that offer the best of both worlds in terms of comfort and durability. Whether worn as casual wear or formal attire, polyester fabric provides a combination of style, functionality, and longevity, appealing to a wide range of consumers.