Vintage fashion as yet maintains an impressive appeal that people are still drawn to it. Like several other things, the way garments were made & manufactured was immensely different from the way it is done currently. Moreover, some of the fabrics used back in days to make cloths are barely or scarcely recognizable today.  Let’s take a look at the fabrics that were popular in the past in order to understand why and how clothing back then looks different from the way it does now.



Fabrics

During the previous era fashion vintage womens clothing was made from high and fine quality fabrics that were soft, airy and light to the touch. Unlike present day’s clothing which is made from highly durable synthetic fabric and is mass manufactured, the care and quality that went into the production of clothing then is nothing less than impressive. All fabrics were used carefully to create statement-making, gorgeous styles.

Cotton

Cotton was favoured highly and it had a variety of uses. It was not only a breathable material, great for making cloths that would resist wear but could be treated in several ways to make differing looks and textures. One such sheer yet sturdy fabric was voile made from 100% cotton which can take dye easily and be created in a range of colour options. Lisle, a thread is made by tightly twisting the two thin strands of cotton. It also takes dye remarkably well and has a texture that is moderately more durable.  

Wool

Wool was an all time popular fabric! Due to its durability it was used to produce several vintage garments. Because of its bristly and rough texture, it was often integrated with softer fabrics like cotton and silk to produce a wool blend that was little more comfortable to put on and easier to maintain.

Outfits where a little warmth and weight was necessary were made with wool. Suit jackets and other outerwears for men were made from thick wool. Softer wool blends were used to design dresses for women like skirts.

  

Rayon

Initially this fabric had an unappealing, rough texture; it was however then combined with other material to produce a soft blend. It also got popular as artificial silk and was used in making many items where traditionally silk would have been used. Items like men’s neckties, underclothing and some dresses were formed with this revolutionary material in the past.


Linen

Linen was a popular choice for clothing during past times and remains pertinent t this day. This fabric was found in a variety of clothing items during the Art Deco period. It was a great choice for men’s suiting due to its lightweight yet structured feel and look allowed breathability during hot months.


Knit

Knit sweaters were considered too casual for everyday use and were associated often with only collegiate or athletic apparels. Knits exceedingly became more popular with many as sportswear became mainstream. Tough knit sweaters were not so stretchy as they are today. The yarn used to be stiff and raw while today it is pliable and soft.

Silk

Traditional silk has a shiny, thin appearance which is pleasing and smooth to the eye. The rougher, heavier texture which is created by combining silk threads is known as crepe. Crepe & crepe georgette were used   in the past to design vintage style dresses, evening gowns and other elegant outfits. Traditional silk was used create high quality garments like upscale dressing gowns. Stockings, which used to be every woman’s staple boudoir, were also created from silk.