Textile fibers: corporate wear’s origin and characteristics  

In the same way that the daily needs of a chef are not the same as those of a nurse or an industrial worker, the garments have different needs: the design and the fabric’s composition. 

The fabric’s garment will make the difference between one and another. A cotton jacket will offer different possibilities than a leather jacket or a linen jacket. The finishing and the fabric are the keys when we define the function of professional clothes. 

Vegetable origin fabrics for work wear  

➡️ Cotton 

It is one of the best known vegetable fibers given its versatility when making garments. The characteristics and ease of care of cotton make it a benchmark in the textile sector. The threads that shape clothes come from soft and fluffy fibers that originate around the cotton plant’s seeds and whose main characteristic is that it quickly absorbs moisture. This fabric is used rough and mixed with others such as polyester. 

To get an idea, most corporate uniforms that do not require specific protection, are made of cotton and polyester. 

➡️ Linen 

The linen plant’s stem stands out for offering soft and very flexible fibers, which means that this fabric is used for the manufacture of more exclusive garments, often aimed to a specific area. When we think about corporate wear, this fabric is rarely used to make uniforms, unless it is a sector associated with luxury. 

➡️ Kapok 

Kapok is a fabric that comes from a tree whose fruits contain soft, light and silky fibers that look like cotton. This plant does not need fertilizers or irrigation to be cultivated, which makes it a totally ecological material. Kapok fibers have a very low density, which means they can trap a lot of air for excellent heat storage. For all these reasons, this fabric is considered one of the lightest natural fibers out there. Although it cannot be spun on its own, it is easily combined with other fibers such as recycled cotton or polyester. Thus, the Kapok guarantees good breathability and good insulation due to its hollow core. Synthetic fibers make the final product easy to wash, easy to maintain and quick to dry. 

➡️ Tencel 

It is a cellulosic fiber that is produced from the pulp of eucalyptus wood. It absorbs relative humidity depending on the temperature of the skin, always ensuring the comfort of the wearer. It is exceptionally soft and perfect for people with sensitive skin. It is machine washable. 

It is also a very sustainable fiber as it is made only with a natural chemical substance, which is constantly reused, it minimizes the impact on the environment. In addition, the required water use is minimal. The fabric made from short Tencel fibers is similar to cotton, with the benefit that it does not wrinkle or shrink, ideal for uniforms always perfect. 

➡️ Viscose / Rayon 

This fabric is mixture of natural and synthetic fibers, it is obtained from the pulp of wood or cotton and then it must undergo various chemical transformations, to become what we know as viscose / rayon. It is considered artificial silk and is increasingly used in fashionable fabrics and now also in uniformity due to the soft touch and the feeling of comfort that it provides to the person who wears it. Being a very breathable material, it is ideal for hot and humid climates. 

Fabrics of synthetic origin 

➡️ Polyester 

It is a type of plastic resin that is obtained from chemical compounds derived from petroleum. Although it is one of the most used fibers in the manufacture of uniforms due to its economic profitability and its easy maintenance, its manufacturing process compromises more to the environment than the production of cotton or linen. It admits high washing temperatures and allows a very good color solidity. It is usually used mixed with other natural fibers, although it can also be used in uniform with 100% polyester fabrics. 

➡️ Nylon 

Like polyester, nylon is a synthetic fiber derived from petroleum. Likewise, it is a very recurring fabric in fashion due to its elastic properties and for this reason it is used in the manufacture of socks, zippers and, in general, all those fabrics that demand resistance. 

Fabrics of animal origin 

➡️ Silk 

It is a tissue produced by worms of the Bombyx Mori species or more commonly known as “silk worms”. Today, silk is one of the most complete materials in nature: it is sterile, light and almost invisible. It is five times stronger than steel and even stronger than kevlar (a synthetic polyamine used in bulletproof vests). It also has a higher elasticity than nylon and most current plastic materials (it can stretch up to 140% of its length without breaking). If we add that it is a biocompatible material, we are facing one of the ideal fabrics to make different garments. 

➡️ Suede 

It is a textile fabric of natural origin from the internal part of the animal's skin, usually lamb, pig, goat or calf. Its characteristics include softness, ductility and thinness, properties that make it an excellent ally for the fashion industry and the footwear sector. 

➡️ Leather 

Although there are often those who confuse it with suede because it also comes from an animal source, the main difference between both is that the leather is the previously tanned and treated animal skin. Thus, while leather is used to manufacture belts, shoes, jackets, bags or wallets, the use of suede is somewhat more limited since it is a more delicate, thinner and less resistant fabric. 

➡️ Wool 

Finally, wool is another of the natural and animal-based fabrics most used in the textile industry. Coming from the hair of sheep animals such as sheep, goats or llamas, the wool thread is later used to weave and make garments such as gloves, socks, blankets or sweaters. In the workplace, wool is an excellent ally when it comes to being part of the manufacture of thermal garments, as well as to make our Travel suits, ideal for the uniforms of any commercial team in the service or restaurant sector. 

To Know the origin of the fabrics of the garments we wear in our day-to-day lives, not only helps us to understand the production processes behind the clothes we wear, but is also useful when it comes to choose which clothes are necessary according to the professional activity to be carried out. 

To be efficient in our day-to-day work, it is essential that we have uniforms made with specific fabrics to facilitate our professional work without losing comfort, safety and healthcare at work.