Imagine trying to add wear and tear with elegance in your clothing line. Undeniably, the choice of fabric is where the difference lies from other ranges.
Gabardine fabric is the best if you focus on premium quality and long-lasting wear.
In this article, you will get complete information about Gabardine. It is famous for its dense weave to smooth finish among clothing manufacturers. Deliver sophistication to your customers with inherent strength so they keep coming back.
No more waiting, and let’s jump into the discussion about quality Gabardine fabric.
Table of Contents
What Is Gabardine Fabric?
The word gabardine means firm cloth. Gabardine is a close-weave textured fabric with a close-woven twill weave structure. The face is smooth, brilliant, and strong. It produces slight diagonal rides or clean and simple lines on one side.
On the contrary, due to its type of weaving, the reverse side is nearly dead flat. This is not like Plain weave fabric pattern. It is known for its durability and elegance, comfort for long wear, and strong finishing.
These reasons alone make it very useful for tailored garments. It’s simply perfect for suits, trousers, and outerwear like trench coats.
Making of Gabardine Fabric
Thomas Burberry invented Gabardine in the 19th century. Thomas Burberry was the founder of the Burberry fashion house. It was mainly made to be weather-resistant and long-lasting.
This is where this manufacturing process begins.
Step 1) Choice of Fiber.
Gabardine can be made from wool, cotton, or synthetic fibers like polyester. Wool is the most traditional fiber used for it. However, cotton or polyester versions assist in varying lightness and durability.
Important Insight: The type of fiber you choose would affect the pricing. However, the weaving process costs are somehow the same for all.
Step 2) Preparation of the Yarn.
The chosen fiber is spun into fine yarn. The quality and thickness of the yarn will affect the final look and feel of the fabric. In gabardine, finer yarns characterize the smoothness of the finish.
Step 3) Twill Weaving Process
Gabardine is tightly woven fabric in a twill weaving pattern. Herein, two or more weft (horizontal) threads are woven over warp threads. This produces a diagonal ribbed texture on one side and a flat surface on the reverse. The tight weave of gabardine makes it strong and resistant to water.
Step 4) Finishing
The treated gabardine gets brushed, scoured, and pressed for smoothness. Other treatments on wool gabardine impart softness and drape to the fabric. Pre-manufacturing scanning is also done on it for uniformity and quality.
Types of Gabardine Fabric
Gabardine is available in a variety of types. All are good at different things. A few of them include:
- Wool Gabardine
Wool gabardine feels warm, breathable, and richly tactile. It has a natural resistance to wrinkles and holds its shape well. The worsted wool gabardine is a delicate balance between softness, fashion, and style.
- Cotton Gabardine
Cotton gabardine is lighter and feels slightly crispier than wool gabardine. It is far less resistant to water than wool gabardine but is also strong and comfortable. This variety is commonly used for trench coats, summer suits, and other casual jackets.
- Polyester Gabardine
This synthetic fiber gabardine has a stiff form and is useful for uniforms. It imparts resistance to frequent washing and is cheaper compared with natural fibers. Compared with wool or cotton, polyester gabardine is relatively less breathable. However, this has the following enduring benefits: wrinkle resistance and moisture resistance.
- Blended Gabardine (Wool-Polyester, Cotton-Polyester)
Blends combine some qualities of natural and synthetic fibers. Durability and good shape retention are mainly featured; there is sometimes some breathability. You get wool’s softness and breathability with polyester’s wrinkle resistance.
Expert advice: Use a little stretchable gabardine fabric for the best movement of users. Stretch gabardine exists, but it is not as commonly used as standard gabardine.
Characteristics of Gabardine Fabric
Gabardine is famous for its excellent characteristics that give it elasticity. Generally, the following are the most characteristic features of gabardine.
- Durability & Water Resistance
The tight twill weave provides gabardine with amazing strength and solidity. Less susceptible to wear and tear. Also, a close weave provides some natural water resistance. Wool gabardine resists light rain pretty well and becomes popular for raincoats.
- Resistance to Wrinkles and Creases
Due to tight weaving, wrinkles do not become a worry for gabardine. Also, even after a long time, clothes made using gabardine are maintained well-presented. Gabardine drape maintains the form very well and does not sag or stretch.
- Breathability
Different types of materials can be used to make gabardine according to breathability. It somewhat allows air passage. It can be worn for hours in a stretch for working as well as formal attire. Relatively smooth texture and very slight sheen
- Smooth Texture
Gabardine has a fine, smooth texture with only a little sheen. Its finish, to an extent, gives it an air of professionalism. Diagonal ribbing on one side and flat on the other creates a beautiful texture.
Recommended Reading: Modal Fabric 101: Ultimate Blend of Softness and Durability
| Feature | Gabardine | Twill | Denim |
| Composition | Wool, cotton and Polyester | Wool & cotton | Cotton blended with elastane |
| Thread count | 150 to 200 Per inch | 120-150 per inch | 80-120 per inch |
| Stretchability | Limited | Minimal unless blended with elastane | Minimal unless blended with elastane |
| Durability | Highly durable | Durable but softer than Gabardine | Highly Durable |
| Wrinkle Resistance | Excellent | Moderate | Moderate |
| Appearance | Smooth, slightly lustrous finish | Subtle texture | Rough texture |
| Cost | High | Moderate depending on fiber type | Moderate to high |
Drawbacks of Gabardine Fabric
There are some functions that gabardine is perfectly suitable for, while for others, it is not. So here are a few drawbacks of gabardine fabric:
- Doesn’t Stretch Much
Tight weave gabardine stretches, hardly at all. It usually confines one’s movement if one is wearing close-fitting clothes. Limited movement for the wearer.
- Wash with Caution
Most gabardine wool is dry cleaned in order not to lose quality and good appearance. It may be costly to preserve. Cotton or polyester versions may be machine-washed but will shrink or lose shape.
- Prone to Becoming Less Breathable
Cotton and synthetic gabardines are less breathable than wool. This makes them warm or stiff to the touch in hot or humid environments. Wool gabardine tends to pill over time, especially in areas of friction. You would see the uniformity of the appearance of the fabric.
- Expensive & Heavy
Wool gabardine usually costs a lot, along with special weaving techniques. Gabardine is a heavy material, especially if made of wool. Making it uncomfortable, especially if you are used to light garments.
Certifications and Environmental Effects of Gabardine Fabric
Gabardine may be certified depending on the type of fiber and manufacturing process. Key certifications are:
- Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS)
- OEKO-TEX Standard 100
- Responsible Wool Standard (RWS)
- Bluesign®
All of these certifications ensure eco-friendly dyeing and secure manufacturing. Wool, cotton, and synthetic gabardine are under the OEKO-TEX certification.
Fabric is coming into contact with the skin; therefore, the product must be certified. Wool and cotton are natural fibers. These are environment-friendly.
Pro Tip: For polyester gabardine, look for Recycled Content Certification. This percentage may indicate the amount of polyester recycled to prevent waste.
Keely Cansler, Textile Designer
Greener manufacturers like Jace Apparel use only Recyclable Fibers. We have an eco-friendly dyeing process and recyclable packaging.
Applications of Gabardine Fabric
Gabardine can be applied to a wide variety of uses in fashion, work, and accessories. It is a versatile, strong material for general use.
Major applications of gabardine are here:
- Outerwear(Trench coats, Jackets & Blazers)
- Casual wear (Trousers & Shirts)
- Uniforms and heavy-duty clothing
- Formal Pants & skirts
- Business Suits
Gabardine fabric is both functional and fashionable. This close weave is aptly skilled enough to keep out the weather quite perfectly. Quality tailoring with this gabardine structure would give a streamlined look. You can get this professional and fitted look with options in solid colors.
How to Maintain Gabardine Fabric?
Proper care of the gabardine fabrics is needed. Here are some care tips for the gabardine fabrics based on the different fibers.
Washing
Cotton gabardine is usually machine-washable in cold water in a gentle cycle. Polyester or synthetic gabardine can be machine-washed. Turn the garment inside out to achieve maximum protection against direct heat damage.
Washing Tip: Avoid over-washing because it may lead to the shedding of microplastics. Clean stains or freshen them with steam before wearing them again so that less stress is placed on fibers.
Drying
Use air drying as much as possible. It does not shrink like in the water, and the integrity of the fabric is not lost. Hang on a padded hanger or lay flat on a clean, dry towel to help maintain its shape.
Ironing
Iron can only be used at low to medium heat because gabardine fibers are heat-sensitive. Wool gabardine should be ironed using the low setting with some cloth covering it. Wool and cotton gabardine must be steam-treated if this tends to wrinkle.
Stain Removal
Spot-clean any stain on your garment. Just blot the affected spot with a moist cloth and a diluted detergent solution. Do not rub it in because that may smear or mar the clothing surface. Avoid using bleach and harsh detergents as they damage color and weave material.
Storage
Do not hang it on wire hangers, as it will stretch out the shoulder shape forever. Hang it on padded or wooden hangers. Keep it in a cool, dry place and avoid sunlight for fading of color on the fabric. Use Moth-proof garment bags to avoid damage from moths and other insects.
People Also Ask About Gabardine Fabric
1. Is gabardine summer or winter?
Gabardine is a medium to heavy fabric and is suitable for cooler weather. In spring and fall, you should prefer cotton, polyester, or a blend. Pure polyester gabardine traps heat but is breathable. It usually does not cool well or feel good during the hot summer months.
2. Is gabardine fabric expensive?
Wool gabardine is very costly. A particular weave pattern is expensive. Therefore it is used in highly-priced tailored suits and coats. Cotton and Polyester gabardine are cheaper alternatives of wool gabardine.
3. Which kind of fabric is like gabardine?
It’s the most twill-like fabric, but gabardine is more refined and finer. Serge, Chino, and Flannel also share some similarities. Chino is strong, smooth, and densely woven, but wool flannel has the same weight.
4. How to identify gabardine fabric?
There are many distinguishing features found in gabardine. It starts with the twill weave, which means a diagonal pattern and smooth finish. Good-quality gabardine is usually medium or heavy in weight. Wool gabardine is heavier than both cotton and polyester.
What’s Next
Gabardine Fabric is a classy choice for clothes and fashion accessories. Quality tailoring, branding, and customization are also the keys to a strong brand.
Jace Apparel lets you get your clothing line manufactured with various fabrics. Shape your ideas into reality with prompt sample development. Test, try, and launch your next piece of clothing with full manufacturing support.
Let’s get in touch to access a variety of fabric options NOW!
Sources
- thefabricofourlives.com– Types of Gabardine fabric
- en.wikipedia.org – History of Gabardine fabric