The fibre you start from shapes everything downstream. Here is how the three most common apparel fibres compare, and why blends exist.
At a glance
| Property | Cotton | Polyester | Viscose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Comfort / breathability | High | Lower | High |
| Durability | Good | High | Moderate |
| Drape | Moderate | Variable | Fluid |
| Easy care | Moderate | High | Moderate |
| Cost | Variable | Low–moderate | Moderate |
Why blend?
Blends capture the best of each — poly-cotton (PC) adds durability and easy care to cotton comfort; polyester-viscose (PV) pairs strength with drape for suiting; CVC keeps a cotton-rich hand with a strength boost. Read PC vs PV vs CVC.
Choosing for your fabric
Lead with cotton for comfort-first apparel, polyester or PC for durability and easy care, viscose or PV for drape. We supply cotton, polyester, viscose and every blend to spec.
Not sure which fibre or blend? Tell us the end use and we will advise.
More in our yarn guides and glossary.