Compare fabrics
Pick two fabrics to see them side by side. The better score in each row is highlighted.
| Cotton | Polyester | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | 🌿 Natural: plant | 🏭 Synthetic |
| BreathabilityLets air and heat through | Very high (5 of 5) | Low (2 of 5) |
| WarmthFor its weight | Low (2 of 5) | Medium (3 of 5) |
| Absorbs sweatPulls moisture off your skin | High (4 of 5) | Very low (1 of 5) |
| DurabilityResists wear and pilling | Medium (3 of 5) | Very high (5 of 5) |
| Wrinkle resistanceStays smooth | Low (2 of 5) | Very high (5 of 5) |
| Easy careMachine wash and dry | Very high (5 of 5) | Very high (5 of 5) |
| Sheds microplasticsWhen washed | No | Yes |
| Biodegradable | Yes | No |
A general guide. The weave, weight and finish of a fabric matter as much as the fiber.
Every fabric at a glance
| Fabric | Breathes | Warm | Absorbs | Durable | No wrinkles | Easy care |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🌿 Natural: plant | ||||||
| Cotton | 5 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 5 |
| Linen | 5 | 1 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 3 |
| Hemp | 5 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 2 | 4 |
| 🐑 Natural: animal | ||||||
| Wool | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 2 |
| Cashmere | 4 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 1 |
| Alpaca | 4 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 2 |
| Silk | 4 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 1 |
| Mohair | 4 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 2 |
| 🧪 Semi-synthetic | ||||||
| Rayon | 4 | 2 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Bamboo | 4 | 2 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Modal | 4 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 4 |
| Lyocell | 4 | 2 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 4 |
| Cupro | 4 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Acetate | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| 🏭 Synthetic | ||||||
| Polyester | 2 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Nylon | 2 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 4 | 4 |
| Spandex | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 3 |
| Acrylic | 2 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 4 |
Scores out of 5. Darker is higher.