Fabric Focus: Exploring the Best Textiles for Winter Fashion

Introduction

Winter is coming! And it’s time for you to start thinking about upgrading your wardrobe with fabrics that will keep you cosy and warm throughout the colder season. The right fabric will make all the difference when it comes to warmth, comfort, and style. But how to choose one? Which textile suits the best?

In this blog, we have curated 13 fabrics for winter for you to consider and incorporate into your fashion, from natural fabrics like wool and cashmere to synthetics like fleece and polyester. Read their benefits and style tips, and get ready to create a fashion statement with winter clothes.

13 Best Fabrics For Winter!

Here are the top 13 fabrics that help you stay stylish and warm during winter.

1. Wool

We all know sheep’s wool helps amazingly to trap heat close to our body and, at the same time, let moisture escape. This means wool is undoubtedly one of the best insulating fabrics for winter, and it is breathable and highly temperature-regulating. It is recommended for places with fluctuating winter conditions.

Wool often comes in various weights, from lightweight merino wool to thick and cosy, offering versatility! Also, it is durable, naturally odour-resistant, and gives a polished appearance. If you buy a woollen sweater, coat, or trousers, you can’t go wrong since it is a wonderful collection for your winter closet.

Style tip: You can style woollen items with denim, leather, or velvet for a put-together look!

2. Cashmere

Often termed as a luxury fabric, Cashmere is an excellent choice for winter. It is a high-end, soft, fine wool sourced from Cashmere goats. When worn, it gives a rich and royal appearance and wicks away moisture while retaining heat.

If you feel the fabric, you might think it is lightweight and how it will prevent us from cold during winter. But trust us, you are mistaken. It is ideal and an upfront investment for the cold weather. The cashmere sweaters, scarves, hats, and accessories will take your winter style to the next level. And the bonus point is that it can be passed from generation to generation!

Style tip: You can layer cashmere sweaters under wool coats for a luxurious look!

3. Silk

You might think silk won’t be an obvious choice for winter, but that’s not completely true! Do you know that silk has natural thermal regulating properties and is a great option for a lightweight insulating layer? Yes, you heard it right!

Silk fabric is smooth and breathable and, at the same time, keeps your body warm without overheating. It makes you look polished, levelling up your winter style too! You can always opt for Mulberry silk, which is stronger and more durable than other silk varieties.

Style tip: You can opt for silk blouses, camisoles, and slip dresses to wear under chunky knits or leather pieces!

4. Velvet

If you want a glamorous and revolutionised winter style, your go-to fabric should be velvet, known for its richness, elegance, and texture! This fabric is plush, nubby, and feels ultra-luxe against your skin while trapping body heat.

You can choose any colour as it comes in various collections to suit any aesthetic. You can always pair velvet with leather or lace details for maximum impact

It is noted that velvet can feel itchy on the skin for some. So, choose velvet garments lined in a warmer fabric like silk to prevent direct skin contact.

Style tip: During winter, you can style plush velvet jackets and dresses for holiday parties or night outs. But be sure to keep the accessories minimal for a sleek look.

5. Fleece

If you want an outer layer for your winter wear, look no further than fleece. This fabric is cosy, affordable, effective, and versatile. For instance, micro fleece and polar fleece are lightweight, moisture-wicking, and incredibly insulating. When worn, it gives you a casual, sporty look and is a great choice for lounging or low-key weekend activities.

Style tip: You can wear fleece as an outer layer since there is no need to layer. You can buy pullovers, vests, and joggers in fleece fabric in marled or heathered tones.

6. Polyester

We all know that polyester is known for its appearance and performance. But with many polyester blends, it has become famous for its highly insulating and moisture-wicking elements, versatility, and affordability over time.

The polyester blends dry quickly and are easy to maintain shape after every wash. Polyester fills, coat linings, and shell fabrics are ideal for trapping heat while shedding moisture. They can shed rain and show and provide warmth, softness, and flexibility.

Style tip: If you want an on-trend winter fusion look, pair technical poly pants or a quarter-zip with leather or wool.

7. Brocade

Guess which fabric is back in vogue? It’s brocade, having its major moment in winter fashion! Though it may seem too ornate, rich metallic and jacquard brocade fabrics are perfect for winter. It looks rich and glamorous and is perfect for statement skirts, dresses, and coats in jewel tones.

If you want to add Hollywood glamour to your winter wardrobe, brocade fabric is what you should opt for. It is warm and insulating because of its dense weave structure. Always look for brocade accents on leather or suede pieces, too.

Style tip: For a luxe mixed media look, pair it with woollen trousers, jeans, or leather leggings. We bet it will demand attention.

8. Mashru Gaji

Now, let’s explore a unique option- Mashru Gaji fabric. This special handwoven fabric is warm, breathable, and naturally moisture-wicking and feels amazing against the skin. Its soft, nubble texture serves as a cosy and lightweight layer for cold weather. We bet it will add artisanal flair to your winter wardrobe.

Mashru Gaji comes in earthy tones like camel, olive, and burgundy, which looks so chic and makes you stand out from the winter fashion crowd. It is a sustainable choice, making it the most sought-after option for nature-concerned people.

Style tip: You can use it for a luxury look for coats, jackets, dresses, and scarves.

9. Leather

This fabric doesn’t need any introduction. It is a winter fashion essential for all fashionistas. From buttery-soft leather leggings and skirts to quilted leather jackets, it looks polished and levels up any outfit instantly.

Leather is highly insulating and traps heat while remaining extensively breathable. You can opt for rich shades like burgundy, olive, and black. When worn, leather adds sophistication to any winter ensemble and will last for many years.

Style tip: We bet you won’t go wrong when pairing leather pants with a cashmere sweater or leather moto jacket layered over a silk cami and jeans.

10. Faux Fur

Another fabric without animal involvement is faux fur. Faux materials in the form of faux trim on coats, full faux fur jackets, etc., look plush and luxurious. And the best part is that it doesn’t look artificial and is indistinguishable from the real fur. Faux fur is warm, cosy, and lightweight and is perfect for layering in cold weather. 

Style tip: Wear a faux fur stole or vest over dresses and skirts on frigid days. You can pair an oversized faux fur coat with an LBD for holiday parties.

11. Down

The last but the best fabric that is known for its unmatched weight-to-warmth ratio is Down. Made from the fine under feathers of ducks and geese, this material traps air to provide insulation. They are incredibly lightweight and highly compressible, lofting and trapping body heat like nothing else. Another bonus point is that they are water-resistant!

It is worth your investment, for it will stay for years to come. Always look for down fills in puffer coats, vests, and accessories like hats and gloves.

Style tip: You can pair an oversized down coat with everything from leggings to dresses to jeans.

12. Cotton Blends

You might wonder why cotton is at the top of the list. Isn’t it a summer fabric? Well, not really!

High-quality and densely woven cotton provides excellent insulation, which keeps you warm. It is a natural plant-based fabric that offers breathability and comfort. It is perfect for lightweight layers and a versatile basic to style your winter wear.

Style tip: You can try layering heavy-weight cotton pieces like flannels, sweats, and turtlenecks under warmer coasts, cardigans, vests, etc. You can also pair cotton fabric with wool, cashmere, etc.

13. Linen

We have had enough of animal leather! Presenting another plant-based fabric, linen, to add to your winter closet. Though not considered a ‘warm’ fabric, it can let moisture escape during cold weather and is perfect for an insulating layer under heavy materials. It is also breathable and is an excellent option for layering or lightweight outwear.

Likewise, linen's crumpled, lived-in texture seems so laid-back and effortless, giving you a style statement to make. It is also durable and suitable for a long run.

Style tip: For a relaxed weekend winter vibe, you can pair linen pants or a blouse with boots, a sweater, and a coat.

How To Choose The Best Fabrics For Winter?

Now, you might be in doubt about which one to choose from the 13 fabrics listed above. We have listed a few factors to consider for your next purchase.

• Warmth- You can seek wool, cashmere, fleece, down, or silk fabrics for incredible insulation.

• Breathability- You can opt for moisture-wicking wool, silk, and polyester fabrics to stay dry inside.

• Weight- You can opt for heavy fabrics like wool and leather to keep you the most warmest. But lightweight fabrics, like down, cashmere, and fleece, also provide ample warmth.

• Care- Check for care and maintenance options, like washing instructions. Investing in gentle cleaners for delicates like cashmere and silk, which often require hand washing or dry cleaning, is recommended.

• Versatility- Opt for versatile fabrics like wool, cotton, linen, and silk.

• Quality and craftsmanship- Keep your eyes keen on quality and craftsmanship since better quality = better longevity!

• Ethics and sustainability- Check if your values align with the brand’s sourcing, production, and animal welfare motives.

• Cost per wear- You should understand that more expensive investment pieces of high quality will help you save money in the long run.

Choose Kachins Couture To Purchase The Best Fabrics!

If you want to buy fabrics for your next outfit, look no further than Kachins Couture. We have over 40 years of experience serving as bespoke tailors for men and women in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. You can choose from our extensive collection of cotton, wool, linen, silk and cashmere fabrics for making a fashion statement.

Book an appointment today by choosing a date and time that is comfortable for you to browse through our wide range of collections and place your order online!

You can also purchase your favorites online by visiting our website.

Conclusion

We hope our guide on fabrics for winter gave you a helpful overview of the diverse textile options for cold-weather styling. By thoughtfully choosing materials with properties like breathability, insulation, and moisture-wicking, you can upgrade your wardrobe for winter fashion.

FAQs

Which type of fabric is best for winter?

Wool is considered one of the best winter fabric options as it is warm, breathable, and insulating. The next top options include down, cashmere, and fleece.

Which material is best for winter coats?

Down insulation, wool, leather, and fleece are warm and durable options for winter coats. They all provide excellent warmth while also remaining light and medium weight.

Is cotton warm in winter?

If the cotton fabric is of high quality and densely woven, it can be warm in winter. Thick cotton fabrics like flannel provide good insulation and are suitable for lightweight layers. However, cotton alone may not be the best option for cold temperatures to keep you warm.

Can you wear linen in winter?

Yes. Linen can be layered under heavier fabrics. Though they are not warm by nature, they are breathable and let moisture escape. You can opt for linen pants/shirts and layer them during winter.

Is rayon a warm fabric?

Rayon is a semi-synthetic fabric that may not provide much insulation. But thick rayon fabrics like velvet or gabardine can trap body heat well and make for a warm fabric choice during winter.