What is it?:
Leather is made from animal skin, but you can also find tons of vegan leathers anywhere. Not only is leather used for jackets, but you can also find leather pants, accessories, and shoes.

Care:
Real leather is usually expensive, and so it’s important to take good care it! Use products specifically made for leather care in order to clean and protect your leather pieces.

When not to wear it:
Leather is another one to avoid when it’s warmer. It’s not breathable and traps in moisture, so a pair of leather pants is going to turn your lower body into a slip-n-slide. Be cautious wearing leather in more professional settings; leather can be flashy so keep it minimal.

What is it?:
Silk is our last natural fabric and probably the most lavish in our fabric guide! It’s usually used to make scarves, formal wear, slips–pretty much anything luxurious and expensive. Did you know that silk is made from the cocoons of insect larvae?

Care:
Silk is super delicate and should be hand washed with cold water. The dyes used in silk clothing can sometimes wash out or transfer to other surfaces so be cautious.

Silk can be very formal and elegant, so it’s great to wear for special occasions. Silk clothing usually has a loose and relaxed fit, so it’s ideal for summer and spring.

When not to wear it:
Thin and lightweight, silk is not typically a fabric to wear in the cooler months. In the summer, beware of pit stains!

What is it?:
Rayon first came about as an inexpensive alternative to silk–it’s made from wood pulp rather than insect larvae. Rayon can imitate the texture and feel of a wide range of fabrics, so it’s used in all types of clothing.

Care:
Either dry clean your rayon items or hand wash them in cold water and air dry them.

When to wear it:
Rayon is really similar to silk, so wear it for formal occasions and in warmer weather. Try experimenting with different pieces to find what works for you.

When not to wear it:
If you’re dressing warm, avoid rayon! If you do try it during the winter, play around with layering.

What is it?:
Synthetic fibre known generically as spandex is composed of at least 85% polyurethane by weight. Such fibres are generally used for their highly elastic properties. It can stretch up to 600 times and still bounce back. It’s most popular use is in fitness and activewear.

Care:
Spandex can be heat sensitive so don’t bleach, iron, or dry clean and lay it flat to dry.

When to wear it:
Spandex is great for active wear. It stretches with you and won’t hold you back from any physical activity, and it’s great for repelling moisture.

When not to wear it:
Spandex is a casual fabric, so avoid it for professional or formal occasions.

What is it?:
Nylon is produced from small almost plastic chips that are melted and made into thread. It’s strong and lightweight so it’s used in different types of clothing.

Care:
Nylon is sensitive to heat and dries quickly. You can machine wash it, but avoid using bleach and be careful with heat.

When to wear it:
Since nylon is so durable and flexible, it’s used for a lot of activewear and allows for easy movement.

What is it?:
Acrylic is produced artificially through a synthetic polymer known as acrylonitrile. Acrylonitrile is derived from petroleum or coal-based chemicals and synthesized to for acrylic resin pellets. Acrylic is usually an inexpensive alternative to wool, you’ll find it in sweaters and other types of clothing.

Care:
There is a lot of variety among acrylic clothing, so make sure to check care instructions when caring for your individual pieces.

When to wear it:
Acrylic will keep you warm but won't weight you down because it's a lightweight fabric.

When not to wear it:
Acrylic usually doesn’t hold up well against abrasion, so be careful about when and where you choose to wear it. It’s also one to avoid on warmer days or when the air is really dry because it's prone to static electricity.

What is it?:
Polyester is produced like nylon. It’s durable and doesn’t wrinkle, and it’s used in the production of a wide range of clothing. Some of it’s more popular uses are in suits and formal dresses.

Care:
Since polyester is so durable, it’s pretty easy to care for. Still, make sure you check the care instructions and watch out for any special restrictions.

Polyester is durable and diverse, so it works for almost any occasion.

When not to wear it:
Polyester is not the most breathable fabric, so avoid wearing it when you know you’ll be warm.