Plus-size fashion has progressed to the point where plus-size men are now challenging stereotypes instead of succumbing to them. And you will surely fall in love with more options than you can count while shopping for plus-size clothing in a shop or online store, but not all of them will be suitable for your large frame. It’s b Because the majority of it relies on the proper fabric selection.
Plus-size manufacturers should be aware that the fiber content of the fabric they choose impacts the success or failure of each clothing they sew. The material used influences the design, sturdiness, comfort, and care standards of cloth.
So, let’s talk about fabrics. Ready?
Best Types of Fabrics for Plus Size Clothing
Fabrics serve as the foundation for all clothing; after all, that’s what clothes are made of, right? The clothing’s style, cut, or designs will make very little difference. Because if the fabric that was used is incorrect, it will surely be a disaster
Finding a fabric that compliments your fuller figure can be difficult, so we’ve put together a list of the best fabrics for you.
Cotton
Cotton is among the most widely used fabrics in the garment industry. Not only is it comfy, but it is also highly breathable, making it ideal for wearing all year. It is hypoallergenic, long-lasting, and machine washable, making it suitable for persons with sensitive skin.
Cotton is a highly customizable fabric that can be sewn in many ways to give it an entirely distinct feel. Knitted cotton, which is commonly used in sweaters, and jersey cotton, widely used in t-shirts, are some kinds of cotton. You can also get organic and non-organic varieties, as with most plant-based products, and those come with a price tag.
Cotton is a popular fabric for plus-size clothing because it hangs well and isn’t too clingy. A tiny portion of elastane or spandex may be added to cotton clothing to give it stretch. And to avoid clothes that are too clingy, try to hang to items with the most significant proportion of cotton.
Modal
Many people assumed modal was a synthetic fiber. Well, it is not. Modal is a cellulose fiber derived from beech tree wood chips. Yes, you read that correctly. Modal is made of trees.
Modal is a stretchy, soft fiber that is frequently likened to cotton or viscose. It has a gentler flap than cotton and is more durable than viscose, ideal for bigger figures. Another advantage of modal over viscose is that it is made of organic rather than synthetic fibers, making it more breathable and water absorbent.
Elastane/Spandex
If you don’t know, small amounts of elastane, spandex, or the well-known branded Lycra are incorporated into a wide range of garments. This is to give them stretch and enable them to hold their shape.
The best part is that elastane-infused clothing is more comfortable to move around in. And you’ll notice that elastane/spandex is popular in workout clothing. However, the bad news is that they are extremely clingy, displaying all of your wobbly areas. Elastane is also heat sensitive and does not breathe well.
Polyester
In the plus-size clothing industry, viscose and polyester are two of the most widely used fabrics. Polyester has the advantages of being resistant to creases, shrinking, fading, and even losing its shape. Polyester has the downsides of not being breathable and being sometimes shiny, which can be off-putting. It is frequently used in cotton blends because it extends the lifespan of cotton fibers.
Twill and Denim
Cotton fabrics include twill and denim, which is a type of twill. They have a diagonal weave that makes them much more robust and more sturdy than regular cotton. And there is no stretch in any of these materials unless they are combined with elastane/spandex. So if you’re looking for a new pair of jeans, go for one that is made of 100% cotton or the largest proportion possible for a more appealing look.
Linen
Linen, the same as cotton, is long-lasting and comfortable to wear. This is why linen trousers are ideal for vacations and warmer weather. Because it is twice as strong as cotton but much less supple, it is frequently used in customized styles.
Linen is a structured fabric that will cut over your lumps and bumps rather than hugging them. And that is why it’s the best.
Because the method of manufacturing linen is very laborious, you can expect to pay a premium for pure linen clothing. As a result, a significant number of mass-produced linen components are manufactured with a linen blend.
Rayon
Rayon is one of the oldest synthetic fibers created in 1889 from cellulose in wood pulp as an alternative for silk, linen, wool, and cotton. When natural fiber sources were affected during and after WWI and WWII, people started to use rayon frequently.
When dry, rayon fabrics are sturdy, but when wet, they are weak. They’re breathable, abrasion-resistant, and have a nice drape. They also shrink when washed, and the majority of them wrinkles severely.
Wool
Wool which is mostly sheep’s hair is removed through shearing the sheep. It is then washed, combed, and rolled into yarn. After that, the yarn is woven or knitted into clothing. These are long-lasting, warm, cozy, breathable, and hypoallergenic, as are most natural fibers.
It has a hairy texture and a range of roughness levels. If you want a softer one, Merino or Lambswool are the best for delicate, fine wool. However, if you get beyond sheep’s wool, you’ll discover a woolly Aladdin’s cave of alpaca, angora, mohair, and even cashmere.
From the angora goat, Mohair has a fuzzier texture than wool, giving it a distinct look. Cashmere, which comes from goats, is luxuriously soft and has a hefty price tag.
Just note that it takes a little more effort to wash and care for your woolly items. And wool tends to shrink in the wash, so you need to pay attention to the tag.
The Bottom Line
Fabrics have more to them than meets the eye. The possibilities are almost endless, ranging from sheer to thick and textured, from restrained pinstripes to colored. That is why it is so important to know the fabric used in your plus-size clothing so you can enjoy your clothes.
READ ALSO: What are the Best Shorts for Plus Size Men?
