Poplin is commonly referred to as ‘Plain” weave. It is constructed when the threads go over and under each other to make a square pattern. The end result is a soft, strong fabric which is inherently resistance to wrinkling. Poplin is most commonly found in shirting, dresses, skirts, and aprons.

Twill weaves consist of diagonally run parallel ribs which makes it a characteristically rigid and durable fabric. This construction means that twill fabrics have a ‘face’ side and and a back side; the face showing its signature pattern. This weave pattern also gives twills better resistance to water and soil damage. Because of these characteristics, twill woven fabrics enjoy a huge variety of applications and are commonly used in coveralls, cargo pants, aprons, and even chef jackets.

Oxford fabrics are quite similar to poplin weaves except oxfords are woven in a basket-like structure. We refer to it as ‘basket’ because it is made by weaving multiple yarns together by passing them vertically and horizontally over one another. The threads passing in one direction are dyed whilst the threads passing in the other are left white; contributing to oxford’s signature appearance. This fabric is most commonly used in shirts as they provide a classy yet casual appearance.

Satin weaves stand out for their shiny appearance. In this structure, weft yarns are laid out on the face side of the cloth whilst the warp yarns are scattered widely. It features no adjacent interlacing to avoid any lines forming as seen in twill weaves. Satin woven fabrics are typically strong and very resistant to wrinkling. Satin has traditionally been used in fashion clothing due to its luxurious hand-feel; however in more recent years it is commonly seen in lab coats as well as other corporate apparel.