With great selection comes great responsibility, and this mantra extends to menswear and shirt fabrics as well.
From poplin to oxford, herringbone to twill, end-to-end, and more, it’s now easier than ever for men to find a shirt in any type of fabric from traditional stores to online.
The ability to discern and differentiate between these fabrics, however, is what separates the men from the boys. We break down what it all means in an effort to grant men the power to make their best sartorial statement yet.
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The Basics
Before deciding on a fabric that best suits you, it is first important to know the essentials to creating shirts. A yarn number indicates thickness in fabric, with thick fabric having a low yarn number and thin fabric a higher number.
Poplin
Alternately referred to as broadcloth, poplin is thin and breathable, making it a great fabric to wear underneath jackets or blazers.
As a thin, soft, long-lasting fabric made from weaving fine yarns, it is able to retain its smoothness when ironed, creating a polished look for an evening out.
Twill
Warmer than poplin and not as breathable, twill is a soft fabric that features a distinctive diagonal weave design that can be easily worn under a jacket.