This page says which fabrics we actually use for each product type, taken from
2,856 order and invoice lines covering production from 2023 to 2026. It is a record
of what we buy and cut, not a list of what we could theoretically source.
Fibre composition by product type
Read the percentages as the share of order lines in that category using that fibre — not as the
blend ratio inside a single fabric. A category at “cotton 86%” means most orders in it were cotton,
not that the cloth is an 86% cotton blend.
| Product type | Fibres used, by share of orders | Lines |
|---|---|---|
| Shirts | Cotton 86%, viscose 4%, modal-viscose 3% | 440 |
| Bags and pouches | Cotton 78%, polyester 22% | 67 |
| Dresses | Cotton 65%, modal-viscose 9%, polyester 8%, viscose 6% | 738 |
| Tops and tunics | Cotton 64%, polyester 12%, viscose 8%, cotton-linen 5% | 121 |
| Kimonos | Cotton 58%, polyester 39%, silk 3% | 31 |
| Scarves | Cotton 57%, polyester 25%, viscose 5%, silk 5% | 419 |
| Kaftans | Cotton 55%, polyester 40%, viscose 3% | 417 |
| Shawls | Cotton 53%, wool 38%, viscose 3% | 58 |
| Pareos and sarongs | Cotton 48%, polyester 48% | 197 |
| Skirts | Cotton 47%, polyester 20%, viscose 12%, modal-viscose 11% | 75 |
| Trousers | Cotton 41%, polyester 22%, cotton-linen 13%, viscose 12% | 69 |
| Shorts | Cotton-linen 40%, cotton 33%, polyester 15%, viscose 12% | 52 |
| Co-ord sets | Cotton-linen 92% | 60 |
| Stoles | Polyester 72%, silk 21%, viscose 4% | 85 |
| Fouta towels | Cotton-polyester 73%, cotton 27% | 11 |
Three things a sourcing manager can take from this table. Shirts and bags are effectively a
cotton programme. Stoles are the one category where polyester dominates, because the drape buyers
want in a stole comes from a synthetic. Shawls are the only category with meaningful wool, at 38% of
orders.
Cotton voile constructions
For woven cotton, construction is a tighter specification than weight. Two fabrics can share a
GSM and handle completely differently. These are the cotton voile constructions we hold and buy
against, expressed as ends by picks per inch:
- 100 x 100 — the finest and most closely woven of our standard voiles
- 92 x 80
- 76 x 76
- 72 x 72
- 70 x 90
A higher thread count gives a smoother surface, better print definition and a crisper hand. A
lower count gives a softer, more open cloth that drapes more readily and costs less. For a printed
scarf where fine detail matters, 100 x 100 is the usual choice. For a relaxed kaftan or a beach
cover-up, 72 x 72 or 70 x 90 is normally the better fabric and the better price.
We have supplied GOTS-certified organic cotton greige voile in an 80 x 100 construction against a
mill transaction certificate. Certified material is sourced from certified mills — see
certifications and
compliance.
Other bases we work in
Cambric, poplin, slub, lurex and viscose lurex, viscose, modal, rayon, linen and cotton-linen,
silk, wool, jacquard, polyester, chiffon, satin, crepe and crinkle finishes.
Weight and GSM
We publish a GSM only where we have a tested figure for that specific quality. Our silk printed
scarves run at 28 and 30 gsm. For our other qualities we confirm the tested weight
per quality at quotation stage, against the actual roll, rather than publishing a range that may not
match what your order is cut from.
If your tech pack specifies a GSM, send it and we will match it to a quality and confirm before
sampling. If you are working the other way round and want a recommendation, tell us the garment and
the season and we will send swatches.
Fabric consumption per piece
Useful for costing before you have a pattern. These are actual consumption figures from a recent
programme in cotton voile and cambric:
| Garment | Metres per piece |
|---|---|
| Long dress | 5.5 – 6.0 |
| Dress, lurex | 5.0 |
| Kimono | 4.0 |
| Jumpsuit | 4.0 |
| Shirt | 3.5 |
| Trousers | 3.5 |
| Kimono or shirt, cambric | 3.0 |
| Towel | 2.0 |
| Top, poplin | 1.5 |
| Bag | 1.0 – 1.5 |
| Hat | 1.0 |
Consumption varies with size range, print repeat and pattern efficiency. Treat these as a costing
starting point, not a guarantee.
Choosing a fabric
- Print definition matters most — higher thread count voile, or silk.
- Drape matters most — viscose, modal-viscose, or a polyester satin or
chiffon. - Texture matters most — slub, crinkle, cotton-linen.
- Price matters most — lower thread count voile, or polyester where the hand
allows it. - Warmth matters most — wool, for shawls.
Related: minimum order
quantities by product type and
the sampling and tech pack
process. Browse
women’s scarves,
beachwear and
ladies garments.
Compiled 9 August 2026 from our order system and fabric ledger. Fibre shares are calculated
from 2,856 order and invoice lines with a stated composition. Where we do not have a tested figure —
GSM on most qualities — this page says so rather than estimating.
