Knowing Your Fabrics: Why It Is Important We have been wearing clothes our whole lives. We all have different styles and prefer different types of clothing. Some might be more inclined to wear conservative clothes while others try to make a statement with what they wear. We pay attention to brand names, sizes, colors, fits and especially price. However, do we pay enough attention to the fabrics of our clothing? Many people don’t know much about different fabrics, and they don’t know why they need to know. Understanding different fabrics can not only help make important purchasing decisions, but also to better care for clothing so it can last longer and continue to fit properly. There are a lot of different fabrics, but the most popular and common include cotton, polyester, wool and silk. Here is some essential information about these fabrics.
Cotton Cotton fabric is comfortable and soft, and used for a large amount of clothing items. Cotton is good quality and is known to be one of the longest lasting fabrics for clothing. What helps make it comfortable is its ability to breathe. Clothes made of cotton do have a tendency to wrinkle, but are safe to iron so you can look your best. Cotton will also shrink the first time it is washed and dried, unless the article of clothing comes pre-shrunk. It is important to check the tag so you know whether or not the size will change when washing. Another tip for caring for cotton clothing items is avoiding placing dark colored cotton clothing items in the dryer as that may cause the color to fade.
Polyester Sometimes polyester gets a bad rap, as it is thought of as the key fabric of styles from the 70s and 80s. However, polyester is in a lot of clothing items we wear every day. The benefits to polyester include a resistance to creasing, a soft and smooth feel, and it wears we ll over time. Many times polyester is blended with cotton to help the cotton keep its shape. Polyester is safe to machine wash and dry, and usually doesn’t require ironing.
Wool Wool is sometimes thought of as a scratchy and uncomfortable fabric, however there are many wool blends that are extremely comfortable and can be very warm. Wool is a durable and resilient fabric that is relatively resistant to wear and tear. Wool shouldn’t be washed too often,
but when it is needed, do so delicately. You should avoid putting wool items in the dryer, as it may cause them to shrink.
Silk Silk has been a desirable material for clothing for centuries. It absorbs moisture so it is cool in the summer and warm in the winter. It is a very smooth and luxurious fabric that retains its shape. Caring for silk can be a bit more complicated than other fabrics, so it would be wise to check the tag for care instructions. If you are looking for apparel that represents your favorite university, Flying Colors Apparel has what you need. From the University of Miami apparel and Florida State clothing, to Texas Tech, Arizona State and more, we have all the apparel that you need from your favorite college teams.
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