| Cotton |
All types of clothing. |
Soft and comfortable, absorbs moisture with ease. |
Very durable and tolerates being washed often on high temperatures. Tolerates considerable sun exposure. Can be very color fast. |
Can shrink 10-15%. |
High. Can be chemically treated to minimize wrinkles. |
Untreated cotton can shrink up to 10-15%. Anti-wrinkle treated garnments can shrink up to 3% |
| Linen |
Shirts, shorts, pants, blazers/suits, knitwear, outerwear. |
Soft and comfortable, easily absorbs moisture. |
Durable and stays clean longer than other fiber types. |
Wrinkle easily, no stretch, and can be stiff. |
Extremely high. |
High. |
| Wool |
Almost all types of clothing: suits, knitwear, pants, underwear, socks etc. |
Comfortable stretchy, moisture absorbant |
Insulates extremely well against cold and heat, even when damp. Does not wrinkle easily. |
Very high shrinking factor if washed incorrectly. White wool often turns yellow after exposure to sunlight. |
Low. |
Can shrink in warm/hot water. |
| Silk |
|
Nice sheen, comfortable to wear next to the skin. |
Does not wrinkle easily, has a nice drape. |
Expensive, often difficult to clean, can lose shape after washing. |
Low. |
Low. |
| Half-Fibers |
Knitwear, outerwear. |
Can be matt, or have a sheen, often visible "hairs", depending on the garment. |
Breathable, yet insulating. |
Generally very ekspensive. |
Low. |
Can shrink if washed incorrectly. |