Why Fabric Choice Defines Your Streetwear
For streetwear brands, the feel and drape of a garment are often the difference between a piece customers love and one that sits on the shelf. French terry, fleece and jersey are the three workhorse fabrics in apparel manufacturing, but they serve very different purposes. Knowing which to specify helps you order with confidence and sell with story.
French Terry: The Lightweight Classic
French terry is a knit fabric with smooth loops on the inside and a flat, clean face on the outside. It is the traditional choice for lightweight sweatshirts and spring hoodies.
- Weight: Light-to-mid weight (typically 180–320 gsm).
- Feel: Soft with moderate stretch; breathable and comfortable year-round.
- Best for: Lightweight hoodies, joggers, and transitional-season sweat sets.
Fleece: Warmth and Softness
Fleece starts as a knitted fabric that is then brushed on the inside to create a soft, fluffy nap that traps warmth. It is the go-to for winter-weight hoodies and crewnecks.
- Weight: Mid-to-heavy (typically 250–400 gsm).
- Feel: Plush, insulating interior; excellent for colder climates.
- Best for: Heavyweight hoodies, sweatpants and winter collections.
Jersey: The Tee Foundation
Jersey is the single-knit fabric used for most t-shirts. It is smooth on both sides, lightweight and drapes naturally, making it the default for tees and base layers.
- Weight: Light (typically 140–220 gsm for tees).
- Feel: Smooth, soft, breathable with natural stretch.
- Best for: T-shirts, long-sleeves and layering pieces.
How to Choose for Your Collection
Match the fabric to the season and the garment. Use jersey for tees, French terry for all-season sweats, and fleece for cold-weather hoodies. Always confirm the exact GSM and fiber blend with your manufacturer before sampling, since these directly affect cost, weight and feel.
At Dongguan Yuejin Yi Garment Co., Ltd., we stock all three fabrics in multiple weights and blends, with full OEM/ODM support for custom colors, weights and finishes. Contact us to request fabric swatches for your next collection.