A hoodie is one of the most versatile pieces of clothing in your closet. It is warm, snuggly, and super comfortable. You can wear a hoodie to lounge around the house, to run errands, or to go on a hike.
If you are thinking about sewing or buying a new hoodie, you will need to think about all of its functions and what type of fabric would be best to serve all of these purposes.
What is the best fabric for hoodies? For hoodies, you will want a fabric that is soft, lightweight, breathable, and sweat-absorbent so that your hoodie can always feel comfortable on your skin. Fleece, jersey, cotton, polyester, poly-cotton blends, rayon, and even wool are all good fabric choices.
In this article, we will walk you through all of the aspects you will need to consider when buying hoodies and walk you through some of the most popular types of hoodie fabric.
What to Look For When Buying Fabric For Hoodies
Before you decide on the type of fabric to purchase for your hoodie, you first need to think about the garment’s purpose.
Do you want a warm and cozy hoodie for the winter or a lightweight hoodie for summer evenings? Do you want an athletic garment that you can wear on runs and hikes or just something to wear around the house?
Knowing the purpose of your garment will help you consider what type of fabric to purchase. Since each type of fabric has a different level of warmth, breathability, durability, and stretch, knowing the purpose of your garment will make choosing the fabric much easier.
Warmth
Although hoodies are generally quite versatile, some types of fabric perform better in cold weather (for example, fleece), and other types of fabric are better for warmer weather (for example, cotton).
Fabrics that are intended for winter wear are usually heavier and retain warmth better. On the other hand, fabrics that are designed for sportswear need to be moisture-absorbent as well as lightweight.
Breathability
Hoodies can be made from synthetic materials like polyester or nylons or natural materials like wool or cotton. A general rule is that natural materials tend to be more breathable than synthetic materials, with better moisture-wicking abilities.
If you want a hoodie that you can wear to the gym or on a hike, you will need something that handles sweat well. A natural material like cotton, which is highly breathable and moisture-absorbent, would do the job.
If you usually wear your hoodies around the house or just to run errands, then breathability is not as important. In that case, you can opt for a polyester or polyester-blend fabric if you like it more.
Durability
Durability should be your first priority if you are looking for sportswear or winter gear. Certain types of fabric are more durable than others. Fleece or synthetic fabric can usually withstand natural elements and the wear and tear of an active lifestyle. You can also opt for a fleece lining if you want a different outer look.
The fabric’s durability will also decide how long the garment stay in your closet. If the fabric is not durable, it can pill or fade after the first few washes. Choosing a durable material means you are investing in a piece of clothing that will stay in your closet for a long time.
Best Types of Fabric For Hoodies
Having walked through all the aspects you will need to consider for hoodie fabrics, below are some of the most popular fabrics that are used for hoodies:
| Rank | Fabric | Recommended Product |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Fleece | Barcelonetta Fleece Fabric |
| 2. | Jersey | FabricLA Turkish Cotton Spandex Jersey Knit Fabric |
| 3. | Cotton | Fabric Merchants Cotton Jersey Knit |
| 4. | Polyester | Calison Stretchy Cotton Polyester Rib Knit Fabric |
| 5. | Polyester-Cotton (Polycotton) Blends | FabricLA DTY Double Brushed Knit Jersey |
| 6. | Rayon | Heavy Rayon Stretch Jersey Knit |
| 7. | Wool | Heavy Weight Wool Blend Fabric |
1. Fleece
If you are looking for a warm, snuggly hoodie for colder days, fleece is a wonderful material that retains heat really well without making your skin feel stuffy. Fleece is very soft and cozy to the touch, and although it’s a winter fabric, it doesn’t feel too bulky.
Despite the look and feel that resemble wool, fleece is usually made from polyester, and you can even find fleece that is made from recycled plastic. However, thanks to the weave style of the fabric, it is very breathable and even relatively waterproof.
If you love spending colder days hiking or trekking and looking for a hoodie that is warm and durable, fleece is a wonderful choice of fabric. It is quite easy to care for and can last a long time in your closet.
We recommend this fleece fabric from Barcelonetta, which has anti-pill qualities to ensure that your hoodie will stay new for a long time. It’s also available in multiple colors, so you can choose the best shade or design for your taste.
2. Jersey
Jersey is a type of stretchy, knit fabric that is made from cotton or synthetic fibers like polyester. Jersey is the most popular fabric for hoodies because it is stretchy and highly durable.
A jersey hoodie is perfect if you plan on doing physical activities in your hoodie. The stretchiness of the fabric will allow you to be comfortable while running or hiking. The knit fabric composition will allow the fabric to feel highly breathable and airy while still offering some warmth.
We recommend FabricLA Turkish Cotton Jersey Spandex Knit Fabric, which is a beautiful 95 percent cotton and spandex (5%) blend. The fiber composition allows this jersey knit fabric to have a four-way stretch, which is perfect if you want a durable piece for sportswear.
3. Cotton
Cotton is a wonderful material for hoodies as well as any other garments that need to be light, soft, and breathable.
Cotton is a natural fiber that is kind to the skin and has incredible sweat-absorbing abilities. Cotton is lightweight and drapes well, so it would make a perfect light summer hoodie or a layering piece for colder days.
Cotton is especially safe if you are planning on making garments for young children whose skin tends to be more sensitive than ours. It is a durable fabric that allows for movement while still absorbing sweat, so our little ones will be perfectly comfortable while wearing a cotton hoodie.
You can find jersey fabric made from 100 percent cotton to combine the qualities of cotton with the stretchiness of the knit fabric. Cotton is also quite easy to care for and relatively affordable, so if you don’t know what to choose for your hoodie, cotton is probably the safest choice.
We recommend Fabric Merchants Cotton Jersey Knit, which is made of 100 percent cotton, combining all the great qualities of a knit fabric with the softness and breathability of cotton.
4. Polyester
Polyester is a synthetic material that is so popular for all types of garments.
Polyester may feel similar to cotton; it is soft and very smooth to the touch. However, since polyester is a synthetic material, it is not very breathable and can make your skin feel stuffy, especially after hours of wear.
One plus side of polyester fabric is that it is highly durable, which is amazing if you want a low-maintenance fabric that can stay new after a long time.
We recommend FabricLA DTY Double Brushed Jersey Knit Fabric, which blends polyester with spandex to create a stretchy and durable material. Although both are synthetic materials are not very breathable, the knit construction of the fabric makes room for some airflow, which allows the fabric to still feel cool and airy.
5. Polyester-Cotton (Polycotton) Blends
A cotton and polyester blend combines the best of both worlds – The fabric will have the softness and breathability of cotton and the durability and strength of polyester. It’s no wonder that most sportswear and endurance clothing are made of a cotton and polyester blend fabric.
If you want a hoodie that can accompany you on a run or even extreme sports like mountain climbing or hiking, we definitely recommend using a cotton – polyester blend fabric. Cotton will absorb your sweat really well while still letting your skin breathe. The polyester will dry quickly and offer durability for the garment.
If you believe this material is the right one for your hoodie, check out Calison Stretchy Cotton Polyester Rib Knit Fabric.
6. Rayon
Rayon is a new favorite of many sewing enthusiasts because of its natural origins and superior qualities.
This material is made from wood pulp that has been treated with chemicals, so it is still partially synthetic.
Rayon is super lightweight, breathable, and moisture absorbent, which is why a lot of athletic brands love this material. If you love wearing your hoodies to the gym, this material is definitely worth considering.
Check out this Lavitex Heavy Rayon Spandex Jersey Fabric, which is a beautiful blend of rayon and spandex, offering stretchiness, durability, and all the aforementioned qualities of rayon.
7. Wool
Wool is a less common material for hoodies, but certain types of wool, would make wonderful hoodies because of their superior qualities.
If you are looking for the perfect winter garment, look for a wool hoodie.
Wool is soft to the touch, but don’t let that softness fool you – it is incredibly durable and strong. It is super light and breathable, resistant to water and fire. If you are looking for something light and warm, wool would be a perfect choice.
It is resistant to wear and tear, and sometimes even dust, so it will stay new after years and years of wear. Alpaca wool is also hypoallergenic, so if you have sensitive skin, this material would be the safest choice.
If this material sounds interesting to you, check out this Hunter Green Heavy Weight Wool Blend Fabric, which blends wool and rayon for the perfect combination of lightweight dress and durability.
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