Clothing Materials, Classifications and Examples

Clothing is generally mad of cloth. Clothing can be defined as the wearable material in human body which is made by textile materials. These materials can be natural, cellulose and synthetic fibres. There are many types of cloth like woven or knitted with different names and uses.

In this article we will briefly discuss about clothing materials, classifications, definitions and some examples.

Clothing Materials

Clothing materials are those materials which are used to make clothes, to complete an apparel product or a garment. Main and sub materials are used to make an apparel product or a garment aesthetic, functional and commercial.

Classification of clothing materials

Though there are some variations of classification of clothing materials. This is the basic classification, I will continue with the basic.

From the above diagram, there are two types of clothing materials in general- main materials and sub materials. Main materials are then divided into two categories – Yarn and Leather. From yarn we get fabric. Fabric is classified into four categories; they are Knitted Fabric, Woven Fabric, Non-woven Fabric and Braided Fabric. There are two types of sub materials, Trims and Accessories.

Now we know the classification of clothing materials. I am going to describe briefly each item from the diagram.

Yarn

Yarn is a continuous strand of natural or manmade fibres, filaments or materials that have been twisted or grouped together to use in weaving, knitting or other methods of constructing textile fabrics.

According to their structure there are basically three types of yarn - Staple Fibre Yarn or Spun Yarn (Single Yarn), Ply Yarns, Filament Yarn. Also there are two types of yarn according to their use - Weaving Yarn, Knitting Yarn.

Watch Videos on Fibres and Yarn Production

Leather

Leather is created by the tanning of animal rawhide and skin, often cattle hide. It is a durable and flexible material. It can be produced through manufacturing processes ranging from cottage industry to heavy industry.

Leather is used for various purposes including clothing (such as shoes, hats, jackets, skirts, trousers and belts), bookbinding, leather wallpaper, and as a furniture covering.

Fabric

Fabric is a flexible plain substance constructed from solutions, fibres, yarns or in any combination. Textile fabric can be produced directly from webs of fibres by bonding, fusing or interlocking. In general, Fabric is cloth produced by bonding, weaving or knitting textile fibres/Yarns.

Woven fabric

Woven fabrics are produced by interlacing two or more sets of straight yarns which cross and interweave at right angles with each other. Woven fabrics are more durable, can be easily cut into different shapes and excellent for producing styles in garments.

The majority of woven fabrics are created with one of the three basic weaves – Plain weave, Twill Weave, and Satin and Sateen Weave.

Fabrics made from Plain Weave

Batiste, Lawn, Voile, Chiffon, Buckram, Organdy, Crepe, Grosgrain, Cambric, Poplin, Flannel, Taffeta etc.

Fabrics made from Twill Weave

Denim, Gabardine, Jean, Glen Check, Foulard, Whipcord etc.

Fabrics made from Satin or Sateen Weave

Satin Drill, Venetian, Satin-Back Gabardine, Doeskin, Duchesse Satin, Satin-Back Crepe etc.

Some other Fabrics

Casement, Cheese Cloth, Chintz, Corduroy, Drill, Georgette, Kashmir Silk, Khadi, Mulmul, Muslin, Sheeting, Tissue, Velvet and many more.

Non-woven fabric

Non-woven fabrics are made directly from fibres, bonded together by chemical, mechanical, heat or solvent treatment. They can be produced quickly and efficiently, all the while preserving very high standards of quality, softness and resilience.

Properties of Non-woven fabrics are absorbency, liquid repellence, resilience, stretch, softness, strength, flame retardancy, washability, cushioning, thermal insulation, acoustic insulation, filtration, use as a bacterial barrier and sterility.

Non-woven fibres have many uses from paper products like tags, envelopes and labels; bathroom essentials such as sanitary or anti-bacterial wipes, diapers, adult incontinence prevention and feminine hygiene products; medical solutions that include bandages, caps, face masks and surgical scrubs and gowns; filters for water, coffee, tea, gas/oil, vacuums and HEPA air filters; consumer products through padding, packaging, insulation, carpeting, upholstery, disposable towels, fabric dryer sheets, earphone protection covers and disposable textiles; construction and petrochemical industry uses in manufacturing insulation, wall coverings, civil engineering and roofing materials.

More examples of Non-woven Apparel

Aprons, Capes & wraps (cosmetic, dental & restaurant use), Gloves & glove liners, Imitation fur, Industrial (laboratories & clean rooms), Interlinings & interfacings, Medical & surgical apparel, Military apparel, Outerwear, sportswear & swimwear, Protective clothing, Shoe linings & insoles, Sleepwear, Underwear, bras & shoulder pads etc.

Knitted fabric

Knitting is a process of creating fabric by transferring continuous strands of yarns into interlocking loop. So, knitted fabric is produced by knitting process. There are two types of knitted fabric - Warp knitted fabric – Tricot, Raschel and Weft knitted fabric – Single Jersey, Double Jersey and Interlock.

Depending on the fabric design knitted fabric can be as follows

Single Jersey, Plain Single Jersey, Single Jersey with Lycra, Single lacoste, Double Lacoste, Single Pique, Double Pique, Polo Pique, French Pique, Terry with Lycra, Fleece, Fleece with Lycra, Double Jersey, Rib Fabric, 1*1 Rib, 2*1 Rib, 2*2 Rib, Lycra Rib, Flat Back Rib, Interlock Fabric, Plain Interlock, Drop Needle Interlock, Interlock with Lycra, Collar and Cuff, Plain Collar or Solid Collar, Shaving Collar, Jacquard Collar, Tipping Collar, Race Collar, Stripe Collar and many more.

Braided fabric

Braided fabric is constructed by braiding, a narrow fabric construction process (intertwining and twisting); where three or more strands of flexible material such as textile fibres, threads or yarns are intertwined with each other at the right angle or some other angles. Braiding techniques are used to produce specific construction whose uses are limited to very specific purposes. It is more significant for industrial fabrics than consumer textiles.

Braiding can be classified as two and three-dimensional braiding. Two-dimensional braid structure can be circular or flat braid.  Three-dimensional braiding is relatively new and used for composite structures.

Braid construction technology is used in various applications and purposes such as electrical wires and cables, harnesses, hoses, industrial belts and surgical sutures, Marine Industry, Engineering & industrial products, Safety Purposes.

Braided fabrics are used in Garment Industry such as Narrow fabric - Ribbon Tapes, Plain Tapes, Name Tapes, Jacquard Tapes; Lace, Men's trunk tops, Ladies lingerie, Sports underwear. Also active wears like Tennis shorts, Jogging suits, Swimwear, Boxing jock straps, Golf bags, Wrist & knee supports.

Trims and Accessories

In garment manufacturing fabric is the main material, but to make a garment aesthetic, functional and commercial there are some other materials are used. These materials are called Trims and Accessories. Without these materials a garment cannot be completed.

Trims (Functional)

Trims are basically functional materials (also decorative) which are directly attached with the fabric.  

Such as Labels, Buttons, Threads,  Lining, Interlining, Zippers, Padding, Elastic, Twill Tape, Velcro Tape,  Motif, Stopper, Elastic Threads, String/Draw Cord, Piping Cord, Collar Stay, Buckle, Rivet, Hook and Eye etc.

Accessories (Decorative)

Accessories are decorative materials which are not directly attached with the fabric; these materials are used to make a garment attractive for sale and packing.

Such as Collar Stand, Tissue Paper, Neck Board, Back Board, Butterfly, Hanger, Tag Pin, Safety Pin, Brass Pin, Size Stickers, Size Tag, Poly bag, Gum Tape, Scotch Tape, Both Side Tape, Arrow Sticker, Clip, Plastic Clip, Size Clip, Plastic Staple, Safety Sticker, Carton Sticker, Ball chain, Iron Seal, Carton Pad, Mini Poly bag, Elastic bag, Master Carton, Inner Carton, P.P.Band, Barcode, Defect Indicator, Numbering Stickers etc.

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