Man Of The Cloth

A. Poplin

Less a fabric so much as a type of weave (most poplins will be cotton), poplin is distinctive for the warp and weft fibres passing over and under each other. As a result, it is lightweight and breathes well. A poplin broadcloth is another option: more tightly woven, it’s harder wearing and typically has a slight sheen. B. Twill

Frequently mistaken for a fabric rather than a weave, twill is identifiable by a series of diagonal ribs running parallel to each other. This structure is what makes twill denser and less likely to crease. It is also more resistant to dirt, slightly water-resistant and more rugged than many shirt styles. An option for the hard at work. C. Cotton

Jay Gatsby preferred silk, while men in hot climates favour linen’s ventilation. By far the most-used fabric in shirt-making is cotton. “Opt for super-fine cotton with a 170-200 thread count – that’s threads per square inch – and you will get a superior hand feel,” says Thomas Pink’s marketing director Alex Field.