A Practical Guide to the Fabrics We Work With
Choosing the right fabric affects everything from cost and durability to how a garment feels on the body. Here’s an overview of the main fabric families we use across our hoodie, tracksuit, denim, t-shirt, leather jacket, cap and sock production lines.
Fleece & Cotton Blends (Hoodies & Sweatshirts)
Brushed fleece is a cotton or cotton-poly knit with a soft, napped inner surface, typically 280-400 GSM. Heavier fleece (400+ GSM) gives a substantial, premium-feeling hoodie; lighter fleece (260-320 GSM) is better suited to warmer climates or layering pieces.
French terry is a looped, uncut knit — lighter and more breathable than brushed fleece, often used for a more casual, lived-in hoodie feel.
GSM (grams per square metre) is the standard measure of fabric weight. The higher the number, the thicker and heavier the fabric — and generally, the higher the cost.
Cotton & Cotton-Poly Jersey (T-Shirts)
100% combed cotton gives a soft hand-feel and good breathability, but wrinkles more easily and can shrink slightly on first wash. Ring-spun cotton is finer and softer than standard carded cotton, at a moderate cost premium.
Cotton-poly blends (typically 50/50 or 60/40 cotton-to-poly) reduce shrinkage and wrinkling and hold colour well, at a lower cost than pure cotton — a common choice for high-volume basics.
T-shirt weight generally runs 140-220 GSM: lighter for a drapey, relaxed tee, heavier for a more structured, boxy fit.
Denim (Jackets, Jeans & Shorts)
Denim is a durable cotton (or cotton-blend) twill weave. Rigid denim has no stretch and holds its shape over time; stretch denim blends in a small percentage of elastane for comfort and mobility. Washes range from raw/unwashed to stonewash, acid wash and enzyme wash, each giving a different finished look and hand-feel.
Denim weight (measured in ounces per square yard) typically runs from lightweight (under 10oz) for shirts and lighter jackets, to heavyweight (14oz+) for structured jackets and workwear-style denim.
Leather & Leather Alternatives (Jackets)
Genuine leather (typically sheep, goat or cow hide) offers a natural texture and long-term durability that improves with age, at a higher material cost. PU (polyurethane) faux leather gives a similar visual finish at a lower cost and lighter weight, with more consistent texture across a production run — a practical option for larger orders or animal-free product lines.
Pique & Interlock Knits (Polos, Tracksuits)
Pique knit has a distinctive honeycomb-textured surface, breathable and durable — the standard fabric for polo shirts. Interlock knit is a smooth, double-sided knit with good stretch recovery, commonly used for tracksuit bottoms and lightweight jackets.
Performance & Blended Knits (Tracksuits, Socks, Caps)
Tracksuits often use polyester or poly-spandex knits for moisture-wicking and stretch, especially for sublimated sportswear. Socks typically blend cotton with polyester and a small percentage of spandex for shape retention. Caps commonly use cotton twill or wool-blend fabric for structure, with mesh panelling on trucker-style styles for breathability.
Choosing the Right Fabric for Your Order
The right fabric depends on your target price point, climate, and the finish you’re going for. If you’re not sure where to start, tell us your budget and the look you want — we’ll recommend two or three fabric options with samples so you can feel the difference before committing to bulk production.
Request fabric swatches or a quote and we’ll get back to you with recommendations.