Shetland Wool  I  Camel Hair   I  Cashmere  I  Cotton  I  Linen  I  Mohair  I  Silk  I  Polyester

Wool  I  Worsten  I  Woolen

Shetland Wool

Originally a yarn spun in the Shetland Islands from allegedly exquisite local wools. The term has degenerated to describing 100% new wool yarns, which are woollen spun and capable of imparting a handle to the fabric similar to the original yarn.

Camel hair

Used for topcoats or sports jackets, hair from the camel has course outer hair and a soft undercoat.

Cashmere

The downy undercoat of the Asiatic Kashmir goat has a fibre diameter finer than 18.5 microns. This hand combed, luxury fibre produces soft, high quality fabrics and garments, including top coats and sports jackets.
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Cotton

The soft fibre from the cotton plant has its lustre increased by subjecting the yarn to treatment with caustic soda, (mercerizing). The fabric is used in summer suits and jackets.
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Linen

The fibre from the flax plant bleaches well, and is used in summer suits and jackets.
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Mohair

The highly lustrous, long wavy hair from the Angora Goat. Mohair dyes well and is used in summer fabrics and blends.
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Silk

Fibres from the cocoons of silk worms are smooth, lustrous and fine. Silk has a wonderful sheen and is used in pure fibre or blended with cashmere or fine worsted wool.
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Polyester

A long chain synthetic polymer composed mostly of an ester of dihydric alcohol and terephthalic acid.
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Wool

The soft curly fleece of sheep, woven in either the worsted process of the woollen process.
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Worsted

In the worsted spinning system, long fibres are closely combed into a smooth, well twisted yarn. The wool is combed to produce parallel lying fibres of uniform length. The finish has a clear surface. Worsted fabrics are generally used in suitings.
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Woollen

Woollen yarns are made from shorter fibres that are carded and have a full or raised surface with a felt like texture, such as tweeds. Woollens are more frequently used for topcoats or heavy sports jackets.
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Holland & Sherry Textile Guide