Steaming mugs of tea, plush blankets, evenings by the fire—how can you capture all the coziest parts of winter in what you wear? It all starts with choosing the right fabrics.
What is the warmest fabric for winter? And how can you curate a winter wardrobe that makes even the coldest days (and nights) more comfortable?
Discover what makes a fabric warm and the best fabrics to add to your wardrobe this season to ensure both comfort and style.
What Makes a Fabric Warm?
The secret to staying warm in the winter—as well as the colder parts of Fall and Spring—is choosing fabrics that foster thermoregulation.
The basic science of thermoregulation, or heat control, comes down to how well fabrics keep out cold air and moisture while retaining your own body heat. Fabrics that excel in this department generally stand out in terms of their weight, fiber composition and garment construction.
With that in mind, the absolute best way to stay warm is to layer up and take advantage of multiple fabrics’ benefits simultaneously. By filling your winter wardrobe with a combination of different fabrics and weights, you can mix and match all winter long.
Wool: A Classic Winter Staple
Wool is one of the best-known winter fabrics, and for good reason. Long before there were synthetic blends designed in a lab to keep us warm, this natural fabric helped people survive and thrive in the cold. Wool’s natural properties make it one of the warmest options around.
There are many different types of wool, but for our purposes, we’re mostly talking about:
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Alpaca wool
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Camel hair
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Melton wool
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Shetland wool
These wools are often used in heavier applications, like coats, chunky sweaters and hats.
The reason wool keeps us warm is that it’s not good at conducting heat. That might sound counterintuitive, but what it means in practice is that the natural heat from our bodies can’t escape easily when we’re wearing wool. Instead, it’s trapped close to us, keeping us warm.
That poor conductivity has to do with the natural gaps in the structure of wool fibers, which also contribute to benefits like water resistance and odor neutralization.
Fleece and Microfleece
Fleece is another popular winter fabric. It comes in many shapes and sizes, but all of them work in mostly the same way to keep us warm.
Fleeces were traditionally made from goat or sheep wool, but most types of fleeces today are blends of polyester that weave wool-like synthetic fibers into very tight knits. As with wool, the air pockets between the fibers are what make the fabric so warm. However, unlike some wools, fleeces are designed for comfort, offering a soft outer finish that can be much more gentle on sensitive skin.
If you want to add some fleece to your cozy, winter wear collection, it’s helpful to know the two main types:
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Polar fleece has a double-sided pile for maximum warmth, and it’s what most people think of when they picture modern fleece garments.
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Microfleece takes the same two-sided pile design and makes the weave tighter, creating a lightweight garment that trades heaviness for comfort.
Flannel and Brushed Cotton
Flannel and brushed cotton garments are also mainstays in the winter. What makes this family of fabrics so warm is not the fiber itself but rather a process that’s applied to it.
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When woven cotton is treated with special mechanical brushes, the weaves ruffle and create air pockets. This allows the cotton to trap much more warmth than it otherwise would, transforming it into a fantastic winter fabric.
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Flannels operate in much the same way. While traditional flannels were often made from wool, many garments labeled “flannel” today use cotton or synthetic fibers. Unlike brushed cotton, which gets treated on the outside only, flannels get the same treatment front and back. This makes flannel much better at trapping in heat and potentially more comfortable for sensitive skin.
Cashmere and Other Luxury Fibers
Unlike the sometimes rugged-looking wool you see on heavy outerwear, cashmere (another type of wool) is usually seen in sleek silhouettes like lightweight sweaters or scarves.
This doesn’t mean cashmere offers any less warmth. In fact, the reason that cashmere and similar fabrics are used in this way is that they actually retain more heat, pound-for-pound, than heavier options.
In other words, cashmere will keep you warm even when used in a thin, lightweight layer.
Cashmere offers all the same benefits of wool mentioned above, but it delivers them in a much tighter package. It’s one of the finest kinds of wool and often commands a much higher price—another reason it’s almost always found in thin-layered garments.
Fabrics that are similar to cashmere include, but are not limited to:
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Angora wool
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Lambswool
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Merino wool
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Mohair wool
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Synthetic blends
Cashmere and other natural or synthetic fabrics used in this way provide a soft, elevated feel. They’re ideal for layering or staying warm while dressing up for a formal occasion.
Performance Fabrics Designed for Warmth
Performance fabrics are a wide-ranging category that can include some of the fabrics mentioned above (e.g., fleece, Merino blends). Many brands even design their own proprietary fabrics that use specialized fibers and processes to capture, mimic or improve the warmth of other options.
Sometimes called “thermal fabrics,” this category features natural and synthetic materials, often used together, to maximize the amount of warmth and comfort a garment can provide.
These fabrics also vary widely in terms of function. Many are designed specifically for outdoor activities, blending exterior waterproof layers with softer inner layers for comfort. However, others make ideal work from home outfits for winter, helping you clock in comfortably from your desk (or the couch!).
Picking the Warmest Fabric for Winter—for You
When picking fabrics for your winter wardrobe, you want to balance comfort and function. The biggest, bulkiest parka might offer the absolute most warmth, but what good is it if you can’t move around comfortably?
Speaking of comfort, there’s no one best feeling fabric. Everyone’s body is different, including how certain fibers feel on the skin. If you find that wool options offer the most warmth but are uncomfortable to wear, it might be worth prioritizing wool outerwear and stocking up on base layers in fabrics like brushed cotton, fleece or poly-blends specifically designed for comfort.
Another factor is climate. If you live in an area with brutal winters, then the heaviest options might make the most sense. However, if you anticipate fluctuating temperatures outside or in different indoor environments, then lightweight pieces that you can easily layer are preferable.
Softies Fabrics That Keep You Warm
Softies is committed to quality and comfort across all garments and all seasons. In the winter months, that means we’re committed to warmth.
Some of our best-performing fabrics for the winter include:
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Marshmallow – Our coziest, plushest fabric that’s perfect for sleepwear and blankets.
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DreamTech – Comfy athleisure fabric that’ll keep you warm while running errands, catching a flight or lounging around the house.
For lighter options best suited for layering or that mid-December warm streak, consider our PureDream and Wellness Fabric collections. PureDream is a lighter version of DreamTech, while Wellness Fabric is designed for moisture wicking and comfort—ideal for under a heavy coat.
Regardless of what fabrics you choose, you can’t go wrong with Softies. All of our lounge, sleep and activewear are designed with your comfort in mind. We aim to keep you cozy throughout the winter (and beyond) so you can cherish the season in comfort and style.
Explore Softies’ Cozy Loungewear
Staying warm in the winter is about selecting the right fabrics and having lots of options to mix, match and layer. Some of the best options are tried-and-true natural fibers like wool or brushed cotton, but synthetic options like fleeces and performance fabrics also work well.
For an optimal winter wardrobe that keeps you warm and stylish throughout the colder months, we recommend trying out all these fabrics and discovering the right combination for your comfort. Explore Softies today to get started.
