Choosing the Best Clothing Material

Learn which kinds of clothing materials are best with Blain’s Farm & Fleet.

Some of us never look at the labels on our clothing, but we should. A piece of clothing’s material may be the most important thing about it.

Knowing what different clothing fabrics do better than others can help you decide which garment to buy next time you shop. There are a few things you should know about the main kinds of clothing fabrics and what they do best.

Crease-Resistant Clothing

Some fabric types resist creasing and wrinkling better than others. This is especially useful if you’re traveling and have to pack your clothes in a suitcase.

Synthetic, shiny fabrics like polyester and spandex do this very well. Satin and silk fabric are also known to be wrinkle-free. As a general rule, a shiny clothing fabric will not wrinkle or crease as easily as a non-shiny one.

Durable Clothing

Workwear needs to be durable. That’s why it’s usually made of a cotton and polyester blend. Polyester is very strong, and cotton fabric is more breathable.

If you work in the automotive industry, make sure your work clothes are made of a fabric blend that’s high in polyester. It’s one of the materials that is acid-proof. This will prevent holes from battery acid.

Also, if you work near fire, you may want to get clothing made of flame-retardant fabric. If you do, look for fabric that’s inherently flame-resistant. These are fabrics with fibers made of material that doesn’t burn.

There are fabrics available that have been treated with flame-retardant chemicals. But the chemicals can wear or wash off over time.

Clothes that are inherently flame resistant usually claim a “flame-resistant” (FR) knit or weave. Flame-resistant clothes are great for welding or brush burning.

Breathable Clothing

Breathability is very important in all types of clothing, but especially in outdoor clothes. Cotton is a common clothing material that’s very breathable.

For warm weather, look for clothes that are 100% cotton to keep you cool, dry, and comfortable. Most athletic clothing is made from cotton blended with other fabrics for stretch and strength.

Clothes for All Jobs and Occasions

The main thing to keep in mind when you’re looking at different clothes is the activity you plan to do in them.

For instance, if you spend a lot of time fishing or boating, look for clothes made of waterproof fabric.

If you’re just looking for something to keep you dry when walking or standing in the rain, an inexpensive, coated water-proof garment is fine.

But if you’re biking, running, or doing another strenuous activity in the rain, you’ll want clothes with a membrane like Gortex. This will make the clothes waterproof and very breathable.

Whether you need workwear for when you’re on the job, sportswear for a family camping adventure, or just some new clothes for the kids, Blain’s Farm & Fleet has all the high quality clothing you need from top brands.

For more clothing tips, visit our Clothing Blog.