ABOUT FABRICS
Fabrics.
Cotton vs. Polyester
It’s the age-old question, “Which is better, cotton or polyester?”
They both have their advantages. Cotton, being a natural fiber, is quite popular by eco-friendly standards, particularly if designated organic. It breathes very well, retains color admirably and feels good to the skin. Many uniform buyers, however, prefer polyester. It is a durable synthetic fiber that retains its color better than cotton and keeps its shape without requiring any fussy maintenance. It doesn’t stretch or shrink.
When in doubt, however, choose a blend. When you combine cotton and polyester, the result is a soft hand with long-lasting color, easy care and breathability.
Four Weaves For the Road
• Knit weaves have “built-in” stretch because of the way they are woven and have a wide variety of applications from giveaways to events.
• Plain weaves use one warp and one fill yarn woven over and under. They have a smooth surface for easy imprinting. It is also one of the least expensive forms of weaving and can therefore be a good match for lower-budget programs.
• Twill weaves are more wrinkle-resistant than plain weaves and are also inherently more resistant to soiling and showing soil, making them great as uniforms. Because the weave forms parallel diagonal ribs (either right-to-left or left-to-right), the resulting cloth is heavier and more durable.
• Jacquard weaves are intricate and generally more expensive, perfect for executive gifts that require a higher perceived value. Jacquards, however, can be susceptible to snagging; therefore, they may not be the best choice for an active work environment.
Perfect Your Performance IQ
When you buy activewear, you’ll encounter performance claims for fabrics. Many are based on inherent qualities of a fiber. For example, bamboo fibers are naturally antibacterial. Other times the performance promise comes from a chemical finish applied to the fabric. Whichever the situation, the main thing you need to understand is exactly what level of performance to expect. Here are some comparisons to steer you:
Waterproof vs. water-resistant/repellent. Waterproof garments are impervious (completely resistant) to penetration by water, whereas performance fabrications claiming water-resistance may not keep the wearer entirely dry. Typically, a waterproof garment has been treated with a sealing agent or rubber/plastic coating and seam-sealed to ensure impenetrability.
Windproof vs. wind-resistant. Windproof garments are non-permeable to wind, whereas wind-resistant claims simply mean that the garment resists the penetration of air.
Fire/flame-retardant vs. fire/flame-resistant. A fire/flame-retardant garment will not catch fire easily, whereas a fire/flame-resistant garment is not only slow to catch fire but also slow to burn.
Thermal insulation vs. thermal regulation. Thermal insulation ensures the person wearing the garment will retain body heat in cold conditions. Thermal-regulated garments keep the body dry and cool in extreme heat or comfortably snug in frigid cold.
Antibacterial vs. bacteriostat. A fabric that is “bacteriostat” slows the growth of bacteria. Similarly, antibacterial or antimicrobial fabrics resist and/or inhibit the growth of micro-organisms.
The Spin on Spandex
Spandex is a synthetic fiber, sometimes referred to as elastane, which was first invented by Joseph Shivers, a DuPont scientist in the late 1950s. It’s frequently used as a small percentage of fiber content in everything from undergarments and swimwear to workout clothes, fashion tees, leggings and jeans. It can be mixed with any natural or man-made fiber.
You might recognize it by the brand names Lycra and Elaspan, both owned by Invista (formerly part of DuPont). Spandex offers a soft and smooth hand; can be stretched to 500% its length without breaking; and recovers original shape after being stretched.
Article modified for from original in Advantages Magazine from ASI, December 2008
Cotton vs. Polyester
It’s the age-old question, “Which is better, cotton or polyester?”
They both have their advantages. Cotton, being a natural fiber, is quite popular by eco-friendly standards, particularly if designated organic. It breathes very well, retains color admirably and feels good to the skin. Many uniform buyers, however, prefer polyester. It is a durable synthetic fiber that retains its color better than cotton and keeps its shape without requiring any fussy maintenance. It doesn’t stretch or shrink.
When in doubt, however, choose a blend. When you combine cotton and polyester, the result is a soft hand with long-lasting color, easy care and breathability.
Four Weaves For the Road
• Knit weaves have “built-in” stretch because of the way they are woven and have a wide variety of applications from giveaways to events.
• Plain weaves use one warp and one fill yarn woven over and under. They have a smooth surface for easy imprinting. It is also one of the least expensive forms of weaving and can therefore be a good match for lower-budget programs.
• Twill weaves are more wrinkle-resistant than plain weaves and are also inherently more resistant to soiling and showing soil, making them great as uniforms. Because the weave forms parallel diagonal ribs (either right-to-left or left-to-right), the resulting cloth is heavier and more durable.
• Jacquard weaves are intricate and generally more expensive, perfect for executive gifts that require a higher perceived value. Jacquards, however, can be susceptible to snagging; therefore, they may not be the best choice for an active work environment.
Perfect Your Performance IQ
When you buy activewear, you’ll encounter performance claims for fabrics. Many are based on inherent qualities of a fiber. For example, bamboo fibers are naturally antibacterial. Other times the performance promise comes from a chemical finish applied to the fabric. Whichever the situation, the main thing you need to understand is exactly what level of performance to expect. Here are some comparisons to steer you:
Waterproof vs. water-resistant/repellent. Waterproof garments are impervious (completely resistant) to penetration by water, whereas performance fabrications claiming water-resistance may not keep the wearer entirely dry. Typically, a waterproof garment has been treated with a sealing agent or rubber/plastic coating and seam-sealed to ensure impenetrability.
Windproof vs. wind-resistant. Windproof garments are non-permeable to wind, whereas wind-resistant claims simply mean that the garment resists the penetration of air.
Fire/flame-retardant vs. fire/flame-resistant. A fire/flame-retardant garment will not catch fire easily, whereas a fire/flame-resistant garment is not only slow to catch fire but also slow to burn.
Thermal insulation vs. thermal regulation. Thermal insulation ensures the person wearing the garment will retain body heat in cold conditions. Thermal-regulated garments keep the body dry and cool in extreme heat or comfortably snug in frigid cold.
Antibacterial vs. bacteriostat. A fabric that is “bacteriostat” slows the growth of bacteria. Similarly, antibacterial or antimicrobial fabrics resist and/or inhibit the growth of micro-organisms.
The Spin on Spandex
Spandex is a synthetic fiber, sometimes referred to as elastane, which was first invented by Joseph Shivers, a DuPont scientist in the late 1950s. It’s frequently used as a small percentage of fiber content in everything from undergarments and swimwear to workout clothes, fashion tees, leggings and jeans. It can be mixed with any natural or man-made fiber.
You might recognize it by the brand names Lycra and Elaspan, both owned by Invista (formerly part of DuPont). Spandex offers a soft and smooth hand; can be stretched to 500% its length without breaking; and recovers original shape after being stretched.
Article modified for from original in Advantages Magazine from ASI, December 2008