What Material Should I Buy for Skirts? The Complete Fabric Guide for Smarter Shopping

Skirts are one of the most versatile and enduring staples in any wardrobe—but choosing the right material is just as important as selecting the right cut, style, or colour. The type of fabric used in a skirt not only affects how it looks and feels, but also determines how it drapes, moves, breathes, and fits your shape.

With so many options available—from flowy viscose and structured cotton to wrinkle-resistant synthetics and sustainable fibres—it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the best materials for different types of skirts, highlight their pros and cons, and explain how to use Tellar.co.uk to find your ideal skirt size in over 1,500 brands.

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Why Fabric Matters in Skirts

When choosing a skirt, the material impacts everything: comfort, structure, stretch, wrinkle resistance, breathability, and how it works with your body shape. Here’s why fabric selection is crucial:

• Movement: Some fabrics offer beautiful drape and sway, others provide crisp structure

• Climate: Breathable fibres are ideal for warm weather, while insulating blends suit cooler seasons

• Formality: The right fabric elevates a skirt from casual to occasion-ready

• Body shape: The weight and rigidity of fabric can highlight or balance certain proportions

• Durability: Knowing how fabrics wear and wash extends the life of your clothes

Understanding the properties of common skirt materials helps you make smarter wardrobe decisions—and avoid pieces that sag, crease or cling in all the wrong places.

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1. Cotton and Cotton Blends

Best for: Everyday wear, A-line skirts, pleated styles

Brands using cotton: M&S, Uniqlo, Boden

Cotton is a wardrobe essential. It’s soft, breathable, and machine-washable—ideal for day-to-day skirts. Whether you’re choosing a crisp cotton poplin or a more relaxed cotton jersey, the fabric is reliable, comfortable, and comes in countless weights and weaves.

Cotton blends (with elastane or polyester) offer better wrinkle resistance and a smoother finish.

Pros:

• Breathable and cool in warm weather

• Easy to care for and long-lasting

• Natural fibres are skin-friendly

Cons:

• Tends to wrinkle

• Not as fluid as viscose or silk

• Less formal than luxe fibres

Try using Tellar’s fit tool to find your best size in structured cotton skirts, which often have defined waistbands or pleats.

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2. Viscose and Rayon

Best for: Wrap skirts, midi skirts, soft pleats, fluid silhouettes

Brands using viscose: & Other Stories, Hush, Baukjen

Viscose (also called rayon) is a semi-synthetic fibre derived from wood pulp. It offers a soft, smooth feel similar to silk, but at a lower price point. It drapes beautifully, making it perfect for relaxed, floaty skirts that move with you.

Look for viscose crepe for subtle texture or satin-finish viscose for evening wear.

Pros:

• Soft, breathable and silky against the skin

• Flattering on curves due to fluid drape

• Takes dye well, creating vivid colours and prints

Cons:

• Can shrink if washed incorrectly

• Less durable when wet

• Needs gentle care

Use Tellar’s skirt size matcher to account for waist-to-hip ratios in bias-cut or wrap viscose skirts, which require precise sizing to hang correctly.

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3. Linen and Linen Blends

Best for: Summer skirts, straight or boxy cuts, midi and maxi lengths

Brands using linen: Massimo Dutti, Reiss, Thought Clothing

Linen is the ultimate warm-weather fabric. Lightweight, highly breathable and naturally textured, it works brilliantly for A-line, wrap, and column skirts. Pure linen creases easily, but linen-blend fabrics (with cotton or viscose) reduce wrinkling while keeping that effortless, elevated look.

Pros:

• Excellent airflow and natural cooling properties

• Sustainable and biodegradable

• Develops a beautiful lived-in softness

Cons:

• Wrinkles easily

• Slightly stiff in structure unless blended

• Can require ironing

Ideal for holiday wardrobes or summer styling, linen skirts pair well with matching co-ords. Unsure of your size in a European brand? Tellar.co.uk can translate EU sizing to UK with real measurement accuracy.

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4. Denim and Chambray

Best for: Casual skirts, button-front styles, utility and mini skirts

Brands using denim: Levi’s, Mango, Zara

Denim provides structure, durability and a timeless aesthetic. A high-waisted denim mini or midi skirt offers a flattering, leg-lengthening look—especially when blended with elastane for comfort and flexibility.

For a lighter, more breathable version, try chambray—a soft, plain-weave cotton that looks like denim but feels lighter.

Pros:

• Extremely durable

• Holds shape well for defined silhouettes

• Works year-round with tights or bare legs

Cons:

• Can feel heavy in hot weather

• Limited stretch in 100% cotton options

• Takes longer to dry

Structured denim skirts vary by brand and waist fit—use Tellar’s measurement-based recommendations to avoid tight waists or gaping hips.

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5. Polyester and Technical Blends

Best for: Pleated skirts, wrinkle-free workwear, occasion skirts

Brands using polyester: ASOS, River Island, Phase Eight

Polyester often gets a bad reputation, but high-quality polyester blends are incredibly functional for skirts. The material resists wrinkling, holds pleats or pleated hems perfectly, and is easy to care for. It also blends well with spandex for a bit of movement.

Look for it in officewear, pleated midis, or occasionwear with printed or sheer overlays.

Pros:

• Low-maintenance and machine washable

• Retains structure, pleats and finish

• Affordable and widely available

Cons:

• Less breathable

• Can feel warm in hot climates

• Not biodegradable

For skirts you can throw in a suitcase and wear all day without creases, polyester blends are ideal. Just make sure the waistband fits correctly using Tellar’s multi-brand fitting tool.

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6. Tencel™ (Lyocell)

Best for: Sustainable style, soft drape skirts, minimalist designs

Brands using Tencel: Nobody’s Child, ARKET, Baukjen

Tencel, the brand name for lyocell, is a silky, soft, breathable material derived from wood pulp. It’s made using a closed-loop, eco-friendly process, making it one of the most sustainable fibres available.

It behaves much like viscose but is stronger when wet and better at managing moisture.

Pros:

• Environmentally responsible

• Silky and cool to the touch

• Resists odour and regulates heat

Cons:

• Can wrinkle (though less than linen)

• Slightly premium pricing

• Requires gentle laundering

Looking for size advice on sustainable brands like Thought or ARKET? Create a free Tellar profile and skip the trial-and-error.

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Best Materials by Purpose

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How Body Shape Affects Fabric Choice

Different fabrics work better on different body types. Here’s what I’ve learned from testing across brands with Tellar:

• Curvy figures: Look for skirts in viscose, stretch denim, or cotton-elastane that move with your shape

• Petite: Avoid heavy fabrics like full denim or linen—opt for soft jersey or crepe that won’t overwhelm your frame

• Tall: Structured cotton and linen-blend midis balance long legs and torso

• Athletic: Try pleated or A-line polyester skirts to add shape and volume

Using your body measurements with Tellar ensures the right material, cut and size, no matter the brand or style.

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Final Thoughts: Fabric First, Always

When choosing a skirt, the fabric should be your starting point—not an afterthought. The right material ensures the piece looks flattering, feels comfortable, and lasts far beyond one season.

Whether you want the relaxed flow of viscose, the cool breathability of linen, or the wrinkle-free polish of technical blends, your perfect skirt starts with the right fibre—and ends with the correct fit.

That’s where Tellar.co.uk comes in. Simply input your measurements or select your size from a known brand, and Tellar matches you to the perfect skirt size in thousands of brands—across both high street and designer collections.

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Ready to Shop Smarter?

🎯 Create your free profile on Tellar

🎯 Find your exact fit in over 1,500 fashion brands

🎯 Compare UK, US and EU sizes in seconds

🎯 Eliminate guesswork from your next skirt purchase

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