Cotton, Linen, Rayon: A Fabric Gossip Column

Hey everyone! With summer just around the corner (and the big box stores pushing those light and breezy fits), I figured now was a better time than ever to dig into the most common 3 "natural style" fabrics we're all reaching for.

And before we start, you must know that every single fabric in your closet has a personality and most of them haven't had time to be your friend yet.

What Are the 3 Natural Style Fabrics?

If you're trying to figure out the difference between cotton, linen, and rayon (viscose), well I've got your back. Let's get into it.

Cotton: The Reliable Classic

Personality: Always on time, stiff, reliable, and friendly with the sewing machine.

Why It's Great: Since the start of time, it's been the go-to type-A fabric.

Pros

• Cheap
• Very easy on the iron
• Available in any color or pattern
• Perfect for a-line skirts, tailored blazers, baggy tees, and button downs
• Holds its shape
• Breathes like a dream
• Totally organic (unlike polyester)
• One of the most affordable natural fabrics

Cons

• Slightly more prone to wrinkling than linen
• Not as durable as linen when wet

Care Instructions

• Throw it in the washer, dryer, iron, and fold
• Super forgiving for care

Linen: The Breathable, Softening Fabric

Personality: Made from the flax plant, one of the oldest textiles in the world.

Why It's Great

• Sooo breathable, better than cotton
• One of the coolest natural fabrics for hot weather
• Very durable and gets stronger when wet

Pros

• Softens over time
• Great for summer dresses, pants, tablecloths, and sheets
• Ideal for humid climates

Cons

• More expensive than cotton
• Gets more wrinkles than you'd like
• Requires more careful handling

Care Instructions

• Okay for ironing, but wrinkles can be more stubborn
• Softens with time
• Best for summer wear

Rayon: The Odd One Out

Personality: Usually made from wood pulp (kind of like those 'bamboo' pillows you see at discount stores), but it goes through a chemical process to be converted into a fiber.

Why It's Great

• Extremely popular in mainstream clothing labels
• Smooth, soft, and drapes nicely
• Highly absorbent
• Takes dye well
• Usually super cheap

Pros

• Great for flowy clothing items
• Perfect for pillow cases
• Great for lining pieces

Cons

• Gets weaker when wet
• More susceptible to damage when washing
• Can shrink badly if mishandled
• Requires lower ironing temperatures

Care Instructions

• Works well with ironing
• More delicate than cotton or linen
• Best for flowy, soft items

How to Choose the Right Fabric

Ask Yourself These Questions

• What's the weather like where you live?
• How much time do you want to spend on care?
• What kind of fit do you need?
• And importantly, what's your budget?

These are all super important to think about.

Weather Considerations

Hot and Humid Climates

Linen is a great choice (or consider synthetics if you prefer).

Milder Climates

Cotton should be fine, but keep in mind that for items you might get wet (like exercise wear), cotton can absorb sweat and make you look a damn mess.

Time and Care

If you hate ironing

PICK COTTON! It's perfect to iron because you can wack the iron up to basically its max temp and murder all the wrinkles out. It won't shrink in the dryer, and you can pretty much abuse it.

If you're okay with a bit of ironing

Linen is okay, but the wrinkles can be more stubborn and it makes me angrier. Rayon is actually okay, but you have to keep in mind that when it gets a hard wrinkle, it might be harder to get out due to its lower temp requirements.

Budget

• Cotton: The easiest to find, especially on sale.
• Rayon: Close behind cotton in terms of affordability.
• Linen: Watching from afar, as it's usually more expensive.

A Few Things to Keep in Mind

• If a manufacturer isn't making an item of clothing in a certain type of fabric, there's probably a reason.
• There's a reason you don't see wool underwear or silk coats—just think: if you're making a fitted piece, find a fitted fabric. If you're making an everyday piece, get an everyday fabric!
• That's why most t-shirts are cotton/polyester—they're cheap and easy to keep in good condition.

Final Thoughts

Next time you're wondering, I hope you know what to pick now for your project. Good luck! If you want to read any more of my articles, feel free to check out the rest of the site!