Shirting fabric sourcing from China
Shirting is the most spec-driven fabric category we handle. Collar and cuff performance, opacity and shrinkage decide whether a shirt looks expensive after ten washes — and all three are set before the fabric is cut.
Fabrics that fit
| Poplin | 110–140 gsm, crisp, takes a crease; the default for dress shirts |
|---|---|
| Oxford | 130–170 gsm, basket weave, softer and more casual |
| Voile / lawn | 80–110 gsm, sheer; needs a considered lining or layering |
| Linen | 120–180 gsm, texture and drape; expect creasing |
Put these in the spec
- · Weight in gsm, with the tolerance
- · Finished width after washing, not greige
- · Shrinkage figure and test method
- · Colour fastness to washing and light
- · Yarn count and whether the yarn is combed
What usually goes wrong
- · Sheer fabric at the collar — check opacity against a printed collar lining
- · Shrinkage that only appears after the first home wash
- · Shade variation between the body and the yoke if cut from different lots