This ethical fabric guide will help you to understand which fabric fibres and textiles are obtained in an ethical, vegan way. Choosing vegan and ethical fabrics can be tough. With some traditionally non-vegan brands classing their items as ethical, as well as the rise in conscious materials referred to as vegan leather, it can be difficult to understand which fibres are truly ethical.
Pin for Later >> To use this ethical fabric guide, use this key to determine whether a fabric is vegan, not vegan or possibly both.
V – VeganN – Not veganV/N – Materials that can be made using either vegan or non-vegan materials. Material Name Fabric Description Ethical Status
Aba N Woven fabric, derived from goat and camel hairAcrylic V Synthetic fabricAertex V Trademark name for a cotton fabricAlpaca N Natural fabric fibre from an alpacaBaize V/N Coarse felt-like fabric, used for covering pool/gaming tables.Bamboo V Cloth made from bamboo yarnBatiste V Light, translucent cotton fabric, often used for lingerieBroadcloth V Dense woven cloth, historically made from wool – now made from cotton or cotton blendBrocade N Richly decorative fabric, often made in coloured silksBuckram V Stiff cloth often used for bookbinding, made from cotton or linenBunting N Used for making flags, made from woolCalico V Plain fabric, made from unbleached/unprocessed cottonCambric V White linen, finely wovenCamel hair N Fabric made from real camel hair or camel hair blendCamlet N Woven fabric made from goat/camel hair or woolCanvas V Plain woven fabric, used for interiorsCashmere N Soft fibre made from the undercoat of cashmere goatsCerecloth (altar cloth) N Waterproof waxed cloth, sometimes called “altar cloth”Challis V/N Lightweight woven fabric. Originally made from silk/wool blend but now vegan variations are also available, made from cotton or rayonChambray (or Cambric) V Gingham cloth with a linen finish. Used for handkerchiefs, linens, or fabric for needleworkChenille V Heavy fabric woven with chenille cord, used in bedspreads, carpets, rugs, etc.Chiffon V/N Sheer lightweight fabric made from silk or cotton/other synthetic fibresChino V Often used for trousers, made from 100% cotton or cotton-synthetic fabricsChintz V Glazed cotton fabric in a bright colour or printCork V Derived from the soft bark of trees, often used as a vegan leatherCord/ Corduroy V A textile made from twisted fibres to form the unique cord pattern.Cotton V Often used as thread for sewing. This is a plain soft white fibre.Crepe V/N Soft fabric, traditionally made from wool but now made in synthetic forms.Cretonne V Heavy cotton fabric, often used for embroidery workDamask V/N Reversible woven textile, made from either silk/wool or synthetic fibresDenim V Twill woven fabric, often used for dungarees and jeansDimity V Durable sheer cotton fabric with raised checks or stripesDoeskin N Leather – the skin of a female fallow deerDuck V Heavy cotton fabric, often used for tents and clothingDuffel/duffle N A heavy woollen fabricElastane V An elastic material made from polyester-polyurethane copolymer – more durable than elasticElastic V Stretchable, flexible material made from rubber or similar synthetic materialEtamine/etamin V Light cotton fabric, often used as a curtain liningFaille V/N A shiny fabric, often made from either wool/silk or cotton fabrcFelt N Fleecy cloth fabric made from processed fur and woolFlannel V/N Soft fabric made from either wool or yarn or cotton/synthetic fabricFlannelette V Light, soft fabric – vegan imitation of flannelFleece N Woollen coat of sheep after being sheared before being turned into yarn.Foulard V/N Lightweight fabric often with a print design, made from either silk or cotton.Frieze N Heavy woollen materialFustian V Usually dyed in dark colours. A cotton and linen fabric.Gabardine V/N Used to make suits. Made from either wool, cotton or textured polyester.Georgette N Semi-transparent silk material used for dressesGingham V Lightweight cotton fabric, usually in a chequered patternGrogram N A mix of wool and silkGrosgrain V/N A fabric made from silk or a synthetic silkHaircloth/hair N Fabric cloth made from camel hair or horse hairHemp V Taken from the cannabis plant, used for yarn, cordage and other fabricsJersey V/N Usually used for clothing. Traditionally made from wool, now available in vegan, synthetic varietiesKhaki V Thick material used usually for making military uniformsLame V A material woven with metal threadsLeather N Tough material made from animal skinsLeatherette V Vegan, imitation leather made from plants and other sourcesLinen V A soft fabric made from flax plant fibresLinsey-woolsey V/N A strong fabric containing wool, cotton and/or linenLint V Cotton textile often used in first aid kids/ to dress woundsLisle N A woven fabric with lisle threadMackinaw N Heavy woollen fabricMackintosh V Waterproof lightweight fabricMadras V Lightweight fabric made from cotton. Used for light, summer clothesMarseille V Usually used for bedding, a strong cotton materialMicrofibre V A synthetic fabric – a very light yarnModal V A synthetic fabric made from beech treesMohair N Yarn or silk-like material made from the hair of the Angora goatMoire, watered-silk N Material made from silk, wool, cotton or rayonMoleskin V A cotton fabric with soft, leathery finish – similar to vegan leatherMonk’s cloth V A heavy cotton fabric in a basket weaveMoquette V A heavy duty synthetic fabric used for carpets, rugs and other textilesMoreen V/N Strong textile made from wool and/or cottonMousseline de soie V/N Light silky fabric made from silk or rayonMuslin V Plain weave cotton fabricNankeen V Yellow coloured cotton clothNinon V/N Sheer fabric made from silk, nylon or rayonNylon V Synthetic fabricOilcloth V A fabric painted or treated on one side using an oil sprayOrgandie/organdie V See-through muslinOrganza V/N Plain sheer material made from silk, nylon or polyesterOrlon V A brand of wrinkle-free, acrylic textile fibrePaisley N Patterned soft woollen fabricPercale V Fine woven soft fabric used for bed linenPET/PETE V Commonly used thermoplastic polymer resin, used for clothing and plastic containersPilot cloth V Twilled woollen material used for blue uniformsPique V A weaving style with ribbing or raised cordsPlush V/N A fabric with a pile more than 1/8 inch high, made from vegan or non vegan fibresPolar fleece/polar wool V Soft insulating fabric made from synthetic materialsPolyester V Synthetic fabricPongee N Thin, soft fabric woven from silkPoplin V Lightweight cotton fabricPrima Loft V Thermal microfiber insulation materialRamie V/N Flexible fabric able to hold its shape without wrinklingRayon V Chemically treated wood pulp made into a synthetic fabricRep/Repp V/N Cloth fabric woven from silk, wool or cottonRusset N Homespun cloth made from wool and dyed with woodSailcloth V Fabrics used for boat sails or tents, made from cotton, nylon or dacronSamite N Heavy silk fabric, often with gold thread Sarcenet N Soft fabric used for ribbons and decorative purposesSateen V Cotton fabric with a silky, satin finishSatin V/N Soft fabric made from silk, polyester or nylonScreening V Plastic or metal mash materialScrim V Lightweight fabric used for reinforcing buildingsSeersucker V Light fabric made from cotton, linen or rayon. Often in a striped pattern and used for spring, summer wear.Serge N Woven woollen fabricShag V/N Fluffy/shaggy fabric used to make rugs, carpets and other upholsteries Shantung V/N Silk type fabric used for bridal wearShark skin/shagreen N Sharkskin used for its external appearance and textureSilesie V Woven cotton fabric usually used for clothing pocketsSilk N Soft shiny fibre obtained from silkwormsSpandex V Synthetic fabric fibre used to make elasticated clothingSponge cloth V/N Porous fabric woven into a honeycomb textureStammel N Woollen fabric often dyed red and used for undershirtsSuede leather N A type of leather, obtained from the underside of animal skinSwan’s down N Very soft woollen fabric, often used for baby clothesTaffeta V/N Smooth, plain fabric made from synthetic fibres or silkTammy N Plain woollen or cotton fabric used for liningsTapa/Tappa V Derived from tapa bark, a paper like fabricTapestry/Tapis V/N Heavy fabric often used for soft furnishingsTencel V Made from cellulose in wood pulp, used to make make-up brushes, t-shirts, and moreThinsulate V Brand of synthetic insulating materialTowelling V Usually cotton or linen, used to make towelsTweed N Woven fabric made from contrasting woollen threadUltrasuede V Synthetic, vegan suede leatherVelcro V Nylon fastening fabricVelour V A faux woollen knitted fabricVelvet V/N Soft, shiny textile made from silk, wool, mohair, nylon, acetate, rayon, linen, etc.Velveteen V Faux vegan velvetVicuna N Wool obtained from the coat of the VicunaViscose V Versatile rayon fabric used often in industrial materials, upholsteries and carpetsViyella N Woven fabric, mixed from wool and cottonVoile V Sheer, fine fabric made from 100% cotton or cotton blendVulcanised fibre V Strong laminated plasticWhipcord V/N Cotton –like fabric made from twisted vegan or non-vegan yarnWincey N Plain or woven fabric often used for pyjamasWire cloth V Woven metallic wire used for car windscreens and tea strainersWool/woollen N Fibre taken from the coats of various animalsWorsted N Hard textured woven woollen fabric