Fabric Composition Guide for Clothing Brands | GSM & 20 Common Textile Materials

Fabric Composition Guide: How to Choose the Right Materials for Your Clothing Brand — By Luopeita Clothes Factory

For startup fashion brands and wholesale buyers, fabric selection is one of the most critical decisions in garment development. The material composition directly influences product quality, comfort, durability, cost, and brand positioning. As an experienced manufacturer, Luopeita Clothes Factory provides professional guidance to help emerging brands choose the most suitable fabrics based on market goals and product categories.

This guide explains the importance of fabric composition, introduces 20 common textile materials, and clarifies what GSM means and how it affects garments.

Why Fabric Composition Matters in Apparel Production

The fabric composition determines:

  • Wearing comfort and breathability

  • Durability and lifespan

  • Stretch and recovery performance

  • Appearance and texture

  • Production cost

  • Target market positioning

  • Seasonal suitability

For independent brands, choosing the right fabric is essential to building product identity and customer trust.

20 Common Fabric Components Used in Clothing

Below are the most widely used textile fibers in modern apparel manufacturing:

Natural Fibers

  1. Cotton – Soft, breathable, and widely used for casualwear and basics

  2. Organic Cotton – Eco-friendly alternative with sustainable appeal

  3. Linen (Flax) – Lightweight, breathable, ideal for summer garments

  4. Wool – Warm, insulating, used in sweaters and winter apparel

  5. Silk – Premium, smooth, and luxurious fabric

  6. Cashmere – High-end soft fiber with excellent warmth

  7. Hemp – Durable, sustainable, and increasingly popular

  8. Bamboo Fiber – Soft with natural antibacterial properties

Synthetic Fibers

  1. Polyester – Durable, wrinkle-resistant, and cost-effective

  2. Nylon (Polyamide) – Strong, elastic, commonly used in sportswear

  3. Spandex (Elastane / Lycra) – Provides stretch and flexibility

  4. Acrylic – Lightweight wool alternative

  5. Polypropylene – Moisture-wicking performance fiber

Semi-Synthetic Fibers

  1. Viscose (Rayon) – Soft with silk-like feel

  2. Modal – Enhanced softness and drape compared to viscose

  3. Lyocell (Tencel) – Sustainable fiber with premium comfort

  4. Acetate – Smooth fiber often used in linings

Blended Fabrics

  1. Cotton-Polyester Blend – Balanced comfort and durability

  2. Polyester-Spandex Blend – Stretch performance fabrics

  3. Cotton-Spandex Blend – Comfortable stretch for casualwear

Blended fabrics are particularly popular because they combine the strengths of multiple fibers while controlling cost.

What Is GSM in Fabric?

GSM (Grams per Square Meter) is a measurement that indicates the weight and density of fabric. It represents how many grams a square meter of fabric weighs.

GSM is one of the most important technical specifications when selecting textiles.

What Does GSM Determine?

1. Fabric Thickness

  • Low GSM → Thin and lightweight

  • High GSM → Thick and heavy

2. Durability and Quality Perception

Higher GSM fabrics often feel more premium and durable, especially in:

  • Hoodies

  • Sweatshirts

  • Streetwear

  • Winter garments

3. Seasonality

Typical GSM ranges:

  • 120–160 GSM → T-shirts, summer wear

  • 180–220 GSM → Premium T-shirts, polos

  • 250–320 GSM → Hoodies, sweatshirts

  • 350+ GSM → Heavyweight garments, winter apparel

4. Garment Structure and Fit

Higher GSM fabrics provide:

  • Better shape retention

  • More structured silhouettes

  • Reduced transparency

Lower GSM fabrics provide:

  • Better drape

  • Lightweight comfort

  • Breathability

5. Cost Impact

Higher GSM fabrics generally require:

  • More raw material

  • Higher production cost

  • Higher retail positioning

Fabric Selection Advice for Startup Clothing Brands

Define Your Brand Positioning First

Ask:

  • Is the brand premium or budget?

  • Streetwear or athleisure?

  • Summer or winter focus?

  • Performance or fashion?

Fabric should always match brand identity.

Balance Cost and Quality

Many successful brands start with:

  • Cotton-poly blends for basics

  • Cotton-spandex for comfort products

  • Polyester blends for activewear

This approach controls costs while maintaining quality.

Request Fabric Samples Before Production

Professional manufacturers provide:

  • Fabric swatches

  • GSM testing

  • Shrinkage testing

  • Colorfastness reports

Sampling reduces production risk significantly.

Consider Target Market Preferences

Different regions prefer different materials:

  • USA & Europe → Premium cotton, organic fabrics

  • Asia → Lightweight blends

  • Sports markets → Polyester performance fabrics

Why Work with an Experienced Manufacturer

A knowledgeable clothing factory helps brands:

  • Select the right GSM and composition

  • Control shrinkage and quality

  • Optimize production cost

  • Develop custom fabrics

  • Ensure consistency across orders

This is especially valuable for new brands without technical textile experience.

Conclusion

Fabric composition and GSM are fundamental factors that determine garment quality, comfort, durability, and brand perception. Understanding material properties allows startup clothing brands and wholesale buyers to make smarter sourcing decisions and create competitive products.

Partnering with an experienced manufacturer ensures the right balance between cost, performance, and market positioning — a key advantage for growing fashion businesses.

Back to blog

Contact Luopeita Now!