Here at Fetch Fits, we talk about fabrics all the time. But what do all those terms mean, anyways? Here’s a simple guide to all the fabric types you should know.

Natural fabrics are fabrics made from either plant or animal fibers. Cotton is one of the most iconic natural fabrics that can be found almost everywhere. Its breathability makes it ideal for surviving hot Florida weather. Linen is another great, breathable natural fabric, but it’s a little harder to find in the junior’s section. However, both of these fabrics are known to wrinkle easily, and linen can only be ironed on high heat. Look for 100% cotton or linen, or blends of the two. Animal leather also falls into the natural category, which can be used for either clothing or accessories.

Synthetic fabrics are considered “man-made,” and are produced in labs. Polyester is the most well-known synthetic. Polyester is a slippery slope- it’s often used to make low-quality items and tends to feel stiff. However, polyester isn’t entirely evil. It traps heat, which means it might not be great for a t-shirt, but it can work just fine for a sweatshirt- and best of all, it’s not prone to wrinkling. While you should try to avoid polyester if you can, polyester blends, like poly-cotton, are a great choice for shirts if you hate ironing.

Now let’s look at fancy fabrics. Silk and satin are shiny. Velvet and velour are fuzzy. Silk is a natural fabric, while satin, velvet, and velour are all synthetics. These fabrics are mostly used for fancier items of clothing, and can be divisive amongst people who don’t like certain textures. Finally, there’s wool and cashmere. If you spend most of your time in hot and humid Florida, you probably want to avoid these fabrics, since they are meant to keep you warm in cold weather.

While it feels like everything nowadays is polyester, you can find the good stuff if you know where to look. “Thrifting is great for finding crochet or linen stuff. You have a good chance at finding quality materials that will last a long time,” says Halle Saldivia, a senior Creative Writer. And there you have it, the essential guide to fabrics. Fetch Fits hopes you stay cool this summer, and look forward to more content in the fall!