Lingerie Fabrics & Materials Guide - Understanding What You Wear

The fabric of your lingerie affects comfort, durability, breathability, and how you feel throughout the day. This comprehensive guide helps you understand different lingerie materials and choose the best fabrics for your needs.

Natural Fabrics

Cotton

Properties: Natural, breathable, absorbent, hypoallergenic, durable, easy to care for

Best For: Everyday wear, sensitive skin, hot weather, all-day comfort, India's climate

Pros: Excellent breathability, absorbs moisture naturally, gentle on skin, machine washable, affordable, long-lasting

Cons: Can lose shape if not cared for properly, may shrink slightly, less luxurious appearance than silk or lace

Care: Machine washable, air dry for best results, iron on medium heat if needed

Shop Cotton: Cotton Collection | Cotton Bra Sets

Silk

Properties: Natural protein fiber, temperature-regulating, hypoallergenic, luxurious feel, natural sheen

Best For: Special occasions, luxury everyday wear, sensitive skin, year-round comfort

Pros: Incredibly soft and smooth, regulates body temperature, naturally antibacterial, elegant drape, long-lasting with proper care

Cons: Requires delicate care, more expensive, can be damaged by heat or harsh chemicals

Care: Hand wash with silk-specific detergent, air dry away from sunlight, store in breathable bags

Shop Silk: Silk Bra Sets | Silk Dresses

Bamboo

Properties: Sustainable, naturally antibacterial, moisture-wicking, soft, breathable

Best For: Eco-conscious shoppers, sensitive skin, hot weather, active lifestyles

Pros: Environmentally friendly, naturally antimicrobial, excellent moisture management, softer than cotton, UV protective

Cons: Can be more expensive than cotton, requires gentle care

Care: Machine wash on gentle cycle, air dry, avoid high heat

Synthetic & Blended Fabrics

Microfiber

Properties: Ultra-fine synthetic fibers, smooth, lightweight, moisture-wicking, durable

Best For: Seamless lingerie, everyday wear, active lifestyles, under fitted clothing

Pros: Incredibly smooth and soft, excellent moisture management, quick-drying, maintains shape well, affordable, durable

Cons: Not as breathable as natural fibers, can retain odors if not washed properly, less eco-friendly

Care: Machine washable, air dry or low heat, avoid fabric softener

Shop Microfiber: Seamless Panties

Nylon

Properties: Strong, elastic, lightweight, quick-drying, smooth

Best For: Shapewear, hosiery, activewear, durable everyday pieces

Pros: Very durable and strong, excellent elasticity, resists wrinkles, quick-drying, affordable

Cons: Less breathable than natural fibers, can feel less soft, may cause static

Care: Machine washable on gentle cycle, air dry, low heat if ironing needed

Spandex/Elastane

Properties: Highly elastic, stretchy, form-fitting, recovery

Best For: Blended with other fabrics for stretch, shapewear, sports bras, fitted styles

Pros: Exceptional stretch and recovery, maintains shape, provides compression, comfortable fit

Cons: Rarely used alone, degrades with heat and chlorine, requires gentle care

Care: Hand wash or gentle machine cycle, air dry only, avoid heat and chlorine

Modal

Properties: Semi-synthetic from beech trees, silky soft, breathable, eco-friendly

Best For: Everyday comfort, sensitive skin, luxury basics, sleepwear

Pros: Softer than cotton, excellent drape, breathable, color-fast, sustainable, shrink-resistant

Cons: More expensive than cotton, requires gentle care, can pill with friction

Care: Machine wash on gentle, air dry, low heat iron if needed

Decorative Fabrics

Lace

Properties: Delicate, decorative, intricate patterns, feminine, various types (French, Chantilly, stretch)

Best For: Special occasions, romantic lingerie, decorative accents, luxury pieces

Pros: Beautiful and elegant, feminine appeal, breathable, available in many styles, adds luxury

Cons: Delicate and requires careful handling, can snag easily, needs hand washing, more expensive

Care: Hand wash only, turn inside out, air dry flat, store carefully to prevent snagging

Shop Lace: Luxury Lingerie | Lace Bridal Panties

Satin

Properties: Smooth, glossy surface, luxurious feel, elegant drape

Best For: Special occasions, sleepwear, luxury lingerie, romantic pieces

Pros: Luxurious appearance, smooth against skin, elegant drape, temperature-regulating, beautiful sheen

Cons: Can be slippery, shows water spots, requires delicate care, may snag

Care: Hand wash or gentle machine cycle, air dry, low heat iron on reverse side

Shop Satin: Silk & Satin Sets | Satin Nightwear

Mesh

Properties: Net-like structure, transparent, breathable, lightweight

Best For: Ventilation panels, decorative elements, sheer lingerie, summer pieces

Pros: Excellent breathability, lightweight, adds visual interest, moisture-wicking, quick-drying

Cons: Delicate, can snag, minimal coverage, requires gentle care

Care: Hand wash or mesh bag for machine, air dry, avoid rough surfaces

Shop Mesh: See-Through Collection

Fabric Blends

Cotton-Spandex Blend

Benefits: Combines cotton's breathability with spandex's stretch. Perfect for everyday comfort with a better fit.

Common Ratio: 95% cotton, 5% spandex

Best For: Everyday bras and panties, comfortable all-day wear

Nylon-Spandex Blend

Benefits: Durable, stretchy, smooth. Ideal for shapewear and seamless pieces.

Common Ratio: 80-90% nylon, 10-20% spandex

Best For: Shapewear, seamless lingerie, hosiery

Polyester-Cotton Blend

Benefits: Combines durability with breathability. Easy care and wrinkle-resistant.

Common Ratio: 60% cotton, 40% polyester

Best For: Budget-friendly everyday pieces

Choosing Fabrics for India's Climate

Hot & Humid Weather (Summer, Coastal Areas)

Best Choices: Cotton, bamboo, moisture-wicking microfiber, mesh panels, lightweight modal

Avoid: Heavy padding, non-breathable synthetics, thick fabrics

Shop: Summer Bras | Cotton Edit

Monsoon Season

Best Choices: Quick-dry microfiber, nylon blends, moisture-wicking fabrics

Avoid: Pure cotton (slow drying), silk (water spots)

Winter (Northern India)

Best Choices: Cotton for layering, modal for softness, silk for temperature regulation

Shop: Winter Sleepwear

Fabric Selection by Need

For Sensitive Skin

Choose: 100% cotton, bamboo, silk, modal
Avoid: Rough synthetics, heavily dyed fabrics, harsh elastic

For Active Lifestyles

Choose: Moisture-wicking microfiber, nylon-spandex blends, breathable mesh
Avoid: Pure cotton (retains moisture), non-stretch fabrics

Shop: Sports Bras

For Special Occasions

Choose: Silk, satin, French lace, luxury blends
Avoid: Basic cotton, worn or pilled fabrics

Shop: Luxury Collection

For Everyday Comfort

Choose: Cotton, cotton-spandex blends, modal, soft microfiber
Avoid: Delicate lace (for daily wear), non-breathable synthetics

Shop: Everyday Sets

Understanding Fabric Labels

What to Look For

• Fiber content percentage
• Care instructions
• Country of origin
• Quality certifications (if any)

Common Terms

Breathable: Allows air circulation
Moisture-wicking: Draws moisture away from skin
Quick-dry: Dries faster than standard fabrics
Hypoallergenic: Less likely to cause allergic reactions
Antimicrobial: Resists bacteria growth
Seamless: No or minimal seams for smooth appearance

Fabric Care Summary

Hand Wash Fabrics

Silk, delicate lace, embellished pieces, underwire bras (recommended)

Machine Washable (Gentle Cycle)

Cotton, microfiber, nylon blends, modal (use lingerie bags)

Always Air Dry

All lingerie benefits from air drying. Never use high heat.

Special Care

Silk needs silk-specific detergent, lace should be turned inside out, shapewear should be laid flat, and elastic should never be exposed to fabric softener.

Read our complete Lingerie Care Guide for detailed instructions.

Making the Right Choice

When selecting lingerie, consider your climate and weather, daily activities, skin sensitivity, budget, care preferences, and occasion or purpose.

Pro Tip: Build a diverse lingerie wardrobe with different fabrics for different needs—cotton for everyday, silk for special occasions, microfiber for active days, and lace for romance.

Shop by Fabric

Cotton: Cotton Collection
Silk & Satin: Silk Sets
Lace: Luxury Lace
Seamless Microfiber: Seamless Panties
Performance Fabrics: Sports Bras

Questions about fabrics? Contact our team for personalized recommendations based on your needs and preferences.