38 FIBER & FABRIC GUIDES

38 clothing materials,
explained by feel, wear, and care.

Search fibers such as cotton, linen, wool, rayon, and polyester, plus fabrics such as denim and satin. See typical feel, strengths, cautions, care, and an eight-measure comparison.

Find a material

Try Cotton · Linen · Viscose

01 Material report

Synthetic fiber

UHMWPE

Estimate confidence Moderate

“Exceptionally light, smooth, and strong”

High-strength polyethylene (UHMWPE) absorbs almost no water and resists abrasion, but it is highly sensitive to heat.

Think of it like

Like a featherlight outdoor fabric that is surprisingly tough

#low-crease#quick-drying#smooth

How it may look

In the light

Fiber percentages alone cannot tell whether the fabric will look shiny or matte. Yarn shape and finishing can make a substantial difference.

Surface texture

The surface may range from smooth to softly brushed, so actual product photos will be especially helpful.

How it falls

Whether the fabric flows or holds its shape depends heavily on its construction and weight.

At a glance

Based on typical garments

SoftnessLow

SmoothnessHigh

BreathabilityVery low

WarmthLow

Wrinkle tendencyVery low

Drying speedVery high

Static clingHigh

StretchVery low

+

Why you might like it

Resists creasing in everyday wear.
Dries relatively quickly after getting damp.

!

Before you buy

It may feel less airy in warm weather.
Static and cling may be noticeable in dry conditions.

○

Best for

Best seasons All seasons

outdoor gearprotective clothingbags

⌁

How to care for it

01Wash in cool water

02Avoid high heat

03Air-dry when possible

The actual feel can vary. Even at the same fiber content, weave or knit, weight, brushing, and coatings can change the feel, opacity, and stretch.

02 Browse materials

Don't know the name?
Start with the feel.

38 fibers, fabrics, and constructions, explained simply.
Open a card to jump to its full guide on this page.
Compare two materials →

All materials · 38

Acetate

Smooth, lightweight, and softly glossy

Acrylic

Light, fluffy, and wool-like

#low-crease#quick-drying

Alpaca

Lightweight, warm, and smoother than many wools

Angora

Featherlight, exceptionally soft, and fluffy

Aramid

Lightweight for its strength, firm, and highly technical

#low-crease#quick-drying

Bouclé

Looped, nubby, and softly dimensional

#low-crease#warm

Camel Hair

Soft, lightweight, and naturally warm

Cashmere

Exceptionally soft, lightweight, and warm

Chiffon

Lightweight, sheer, airy, and slightly crisp

#breathable#low-crease

Corduroy

Warm, structured, and defined by raised vertical ridges

#warm#low-crease

Cotton

Soft, familiar, and usually matte

#soft#breathable

Cupro

Silky, cool, and fluid

Denim

Structured, durable twill that softens with wear

#low-crease#breathable

Fleece

Soft, fluffy, lightweight, and warm

#warm#low-crease

French Terry

Smooth outside, looped inside, and comfortably substantial

Hemp

Dry, sturdy, and naturally textured

#breathable#quick-drying

Jersey Knit

Soft, flexible knit that moves with the body

#low-crease#soft

Linen

Cool, crisp, and naturally textured

#breathable#quick-drying

Lyocell

Soft, smooth, and naturally fluid

Modacrylic

Lightweight, warm, and softly plush

#low-crease#quick-drying

Modal

Exceptionally soft, smooth, and flexible

Mohair

Airy, springy, and softly lustrous

#warm#low-crease

Nylon

Lightweight, smooth, and exceptionally tough

#low-crease#quick-drying

Polyester

Quick-drying, durable, and good at holding its shape

#low-crease#quick-drying

Polypropylene

Ultralight, dry-feeling, and very quick-drying

#low-crease#quick-drying

Ramie

Cool, crisp, and lightly textured

#breathable#quick-drying

Rayon

Soft, cool to the touch, and fluid

Rib Knit

Stretchy, close-fitting knit with visible vertical ribs

#low-crease#stretchy

Satin

Smooth, fluid, and glossy on one side

Seersucker

Light, puckered, and naturally airy

#breathable#low-crease

Silk

Smooth, fluid, and softly lustrous

Spandex / Elastane

Powerful stretch and recovery, even in small amounts

#low-crease#stretchy

Triacetate

Smooth, fluid, and excellent at holding pleats

#smooth#low-crease

Tweed

Richly textured, dimensional, and structured

#warm#low-crease

UHMWPE

Exceptionally light, smooth, and strong

#low-crease#quick-drying

Velvet

Plush, substantial, and rich in sheen

#soft#low-crease

Wool

Warm, springy, and naturally textured

#warm#breathable

Yak

Warm, soft, and naturally matte

03 Compare materials

They may look alike,
but feel very different.

Compare two materials across the same eight measures to see which better fits what you want.

Material A

Material B

How they may look

ACotton

In the light

Low light reflection may give the surface a calm, matte look. The same color may appear slightly deeper and more muted.

Surface texture

Cotton may give the surface a soft, understated, natural look.

How it falls

It is likely to hang naturally without feeling especially stiff or fluid.

BPolyester

In the light

Fiber percentages alone cannot tell whether the fabric will look shiny or matte. Yarn shape and finishing can make a substantial difference.

Surface texture

The surface may range from smooth to softly brushed, so actual product photos will be especially helpful.

How it falls

Whether the fabric flows or holds its shape depends heavily on its construction and weight.

Natural fiber

Cotton

Soft, familiar, and usually matte

VS

Synthetic fiber

Polyester

Quick-drying, durable, and good at holding its shape

High

SoftnessFirm ↔ Very soft

Moderate

Moderate

SmoothnessTextured ↔ Very smooth

High

High

BreathabilityLow ↔ High

Low

Low

WarmthLow ↔ High

Low

High

Wrinkle tendencyLow ↔ High

Very low

Low

Drying speedSlow ↔ Fast

Very high

Very low

Static clingLow ↔ High

High

Very low

StretchLow ↔ High

Low

Material comparison: Cotton and Polyester
Criterion	Cotton	Polyester
Softness	High	Moderate
Smoothness	Moderate	High
Breathability	High	Low
Warmth	Low	Low
Wrinkle tendency	High	Very low
Drying speed	Low	Very high
Static cling	Very low	High
Stretch	Very low	Low

THE MANJEOBOM PROMISE

No false certainty.
Just a clear basis for every estimate.

We organize typical fiber properties into eight measures and weight each fiber by the percentage you enter. These are general estimates—not lab tests of the actual yarn, construction, weight, finish, lining, or sewing.

01We separate established material traits from our wear estimates.

02Fiber content is a starting point; weave, weight, and finish all affect the final fabric.

03We never present skin reactions or performance as guaranteed.

FABRIC QUESTIONS, CLEAR ANSWERS

A clearer way to read material names.

Straight answers based on what fiber content can—and cannot—tell you.

01What is the difference between a fiber and a fabric construction?

A fiber is the raw material, such as cotton, wool, or polyester. A construction describes how material is made into fabric, such as denim, satin, fleece, jersey, or seersucker. Both affect how clothing feels and looks.

02Why can two 100% polyester garments feel completely different?

Polyester can become smooth satin, airy chiffon, warm fleece, or crisp outerwear fabric. Yarn shape, fabric construction, thickness, density, and finish can change the result even when the label says 100% polyester.

03Is LYCRA the same thing as spandex?

LYCRA is a brand name used for certain spandex, also called elastane. Not every spandex fiber is LYCRA, so the generic fiber name on the care label is the more reliable starting point.

04Should I search for Cotton, cotton, or 코튼?

Any of them works. MANJEOBOM searches Korean names, English names, and familiar store terms, including common alternate spellings and brand-related terms where the relationship is clear.

05What does the material comparison measure?

It compares two materials across eight practical indicators and also explains likely differences in surface feel, appearance, suitable garments, and care. The result describes typical tendencies rather than guaranteeing a specific product.