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There are many ways that you can identify an outfit that you really love, such as having an attractive colour, a great fit and an exceptional design. However, one of the biggest factors that actually determine how memorable any particular outfit is, is based purely on its fabric type.
Fabric is the number one thing that drives fashion (before trends), tailoring (before coming up with a specific design) and styling (before deciding on how to make an outfit look very good).Fabric affects how great an individual’s outfit looks and feels, and also how much wear and tear is involved.
Fabric is the Foundation of Every Outfit
Consider fabric in a very similar manner to bases for buildings; you can have a building that is going to be very pretty, but if the foundation is going to be weak then the whole building will collapse. Every item of clothing has the same concept.
If the fabric is really good, then:
- Drape really well
- Feel very good on you
- Look like high quality even when it is a simple design
- Perform very well over time
This is the reason that designers & fabric specialists start with the fabrics they select first, and then move on to deciding on cut and pattern construction.
Comfort Is A Matter of The Right Fabric (to wear)
A great looking outfit cannot be enjoyable if it does not feel good when you are wearing the clothing. Breathability, softness, stretch, and temperature control all come from the type of fabric that you select. In general, natural fabrics (like cotton, modal, or linen) provide airflow and a comfortable feeling on your skin versus blended fabrics that provide a longer life span and are easier to take care of.
In general terms, fabrics that are selected will provide: no chafing; no overheating; and no stiffness.
Fabric’s Influence on Outfit Appearance
Although the same design could appear to be completely different based upon the fabric used, such as:
- Smooth and luxurious – satin
- Clean and effortless – cotton
- Structure and warmth – wool
- Relaxed and modern – lightweight fabrics
Quality fabric not only enhances the depth of colour of an item of clothing, but it also improves how the garment falls, and adds a certain sophistication about the garment with minimal effort. For this reason, if you wear a great fabric, it will allow you to instantly elevate any outfit, including just a t-shirt or a dress.
The Benefits of Buying Quality Fabric
Fast fashion tends to focus on how a garment will look visually; however, it does not take into consideration the quality of the fabric used to create the garment. Many times after only a few washes the garment will lose its shape, colour may fade or the garment shrinks. A high-quality fabric will:
- Last longer
- Acceptance of colour
- Maintain the new shape of the item
- Save you money in the long run
When you buy fabrics of higher quality you will be creating a more intelligent wardrobe.
The Fabric/Sustainability Relationship
Fashion is not simply about how one looks these days, but more about being responsible in what you choose to wear. In order for one to develop a sustainable clothing wardrobe one must begin by making the right choice of fabric.
When choosing a fabric, fabrics that are made from eco-friendly materials, colours (dyes) that have little impact on the environment, and textiles that last are ways to minimize the environmental and waste effects. Quality fabrics will decrease the number of times you will need to replace a garment, decrease the number of garments you will need to dispose, and lead to a more conscious way of living.
New-age consumers are starting to ask themselves the following questions:
- Where did this fabric come from?
- Does this fabric meet the requirements to be skin-friendly?
Designers prioritize fabric first
Professional designers never create designs without doing so. They will feel the fabric, check the way it moves and also check how it feels before they sketch anything. This is because the fabric will determine
- the way the final garment will feel while walking/sitting
- the way the final garment will react to light and wear
- the way the final garment will move
All of these reasons are why we believe the reason that our best outfits always feel effortless; they are based on thoughtful selections of fabric.
Understanding your fabric is key to building a better wardrobe.
You don’t have to be a fashion expert to look better; you just need to understand the elements of fabric. Think about asking yourself:
- Is this fabric breathable for regular use?
- Is this fabric suitable for my lifestyle/climate?
- Will this fabric feel good against my skin?
Once you begin to pay attention to fabric, you will find that your choices of outfits will naturally get better.
To sum it up
All great outfits are not created from luck. They are created based on intelligent selections of fabric. Fabric is the first aspect of creating an outfit. Before fashion trend can be created; before brand names can ever be attached; and before the style of any outfit, the fabric is what determines everything else.
Once you make a solid choice of fabric, you will find that making decisions about the style of your outfit becomes easier, that feeling about the style of your outfit will occur naturally and that you will feel confident about how you look when you are dressed with quality fabric.