Fabrics & Technical TermsA list of our most common fabric and technical descriptions. These are highlighted on each of the products that they relate to.

1906.4 Class F

Daytime Fluorescent

1906.4 Class RF

Retroflective and Fluorescent Materials for Safety

4399

UV Protection 50+

4602.1.2011 Class D

Daytime use

4602.1.2011 Class DN

Day & Night use

Acetate

Acetate is soft and has a crisp feel. It has the lustrous appearance of silk and excellent appearance when draped. It is not a strong fibre, as its resistance to abrasion is poor. Resists shrinkage, moths, and mildew and does not absorb moisture readily.

Acrylic

A durable fibre with a soft feel. It has an uneven surface, making it different from most manufactured fibres. It comes in a variety of colours, and can be dyed easily. It is resistant to sun and chemicals.

Advatex

Advatex limits the spread of bacteria from care giver to patient via their workplace apparel. Based on the long-proven history that silver has a bacteriostatic effect, the Advatex fabric is not only able to resist bacteria, but actively eliminate it.

Birdseye

Smooth, clear finish. Has small diamond-shaped figures with a dot in the centre of each.

BIZCOOL

Means that the properties of the fabrics draw moisture away from the body, through the fabric of the garment and allows it to evaporate into the open air keeping you cooler and drier.

Blend

The combination of two or more types of staple fibres and/or colours in one yarn. Blends are sometimes so intimate that it is difficult to distinguish the component fibres in either the yarn or the fabric.

Brocade

Rich, heavy, elaborate design effect. Sometimes with coloured or metallic threads making the design usually against a satin weave background.

Canvas

Mostly rugged, heavy material made from plied yarns. Has body and strength.

Chambray

Smooth, strong, closely woven, soft and has a slight lustre. Wears very well, easy to sew, and launders well. If not crease resistant, it wrinkles easily.

Chamois

Plain Characteristics Fabric is napped, sheared, and dyed to simulate chamois leather.

Chevron

Broken twill or herringbone weave giving a chevron effect, creating a design of wide vs across the width of the fabric. Also known as Herringbone.

Chino

Washes and wears extremely well with a minimum of care.

Comfort Wool Stretch

43% Wool 55% Polyester 2% Elastane. All the quality comfort features of wool combined with durability and stretch of polyester and elastane.

Cool Stretch

92% Polyester 8% Bamboo Charcoal. A comfortable easy care woven fabric with performance features such as quick moisture absorption, breathable, thermal regulation, bacteria resistance, removes odours and is crease resistant. Ideal for an active workplace.

Cordura

A high performance fabric resistant to abrasions, tears and scuffs

Corduroy

Corduroy has narrow medium and wide wales, also thick and thin or checkerboard patterns. Most of it is washable and wears very well. Has a soft lustre.

Cotton

Cotton, in general, is very elastic. It can withstand high temperatures, has high washability and is very susceptible to dyes.

Crepe

A fine often gauzelike fabric with a wrinkled surface. Has a crinkled, puckered surface or soft mossy finish. Comes in different weights and degrees of sheerness. Dull with a harsh dry feel. Woollen Crêpes are softer than worsted. If it is fine, it drapes well. Has very good wearing qualities. Has a very slimming effect.

Denim

Long wearing, it resists snags and tears.

Dobby

Geometric figures woven in a set pattern. Similar to, but more limited, more quickly woven, and cheaper than jacquards.

Doubleknit

A two faced cloth, either face may be utilised as the right side. Can be stabilised for shrinkage control and dry cleans satisfactorily.

Drill

A coarse twilled cotton or linen fabric.

Elastane

A synthetic fiber or fabric made from a polymer containing polyurethane, can be stretched over 500% without breaking, able to be stretched repetitively and still recover original length.

Elastomer

It is a synthetic rubber that can be stretched to at least three times its original length. Once the exerted pull force is released, this fibre returns to its original length.

Felt

A very compact fabric in various weights and thicknesses. Has grain so can be cut any way. Needs no hemming or finishing, because it does not fray.

Fill

The threads run widthwise across a piece of fabric.

Flannel

A kind of woven woollen fabric.

Flannelette

A napped cotton fabric imitating flannel. A heavy, soft material with a napped finish, usually only on one side. Launders well, easy to manipulate and is warm to wear.

Fleece

Has a deep, soft nap or pile, obtained by heavily napping with wire brushes or with a pile weave. This provides air space giving good insulating properties without too much weight.

Gabardine

Smooth durable twill-woven cloth esp. of worsted, spun rayon or cotton. Clear finish, tightly woven, firm, durable, rather lustrous. Wears extremely well.

Herringbone Twill

Usually created in wool and has varying qualities.

Houndstooth

Most commonly made with wool, weaved into an irregular check of a four pointed star.

Insect Protection Technology

Superior protection against insect bites, including mosquitoes, ticks, lice and bed bugs. Non-toxic to humans, safe and odourless protection for up to 100 washes. Contact repellent properties Complies with NATO Standards TL8305 Accepted by OEKO-TEX Standard 100 Class I-IV.

iSO-940

Designed to withstand the rigours of farming life & weekend recreation, all iSO-940 garments are 100% waterproof & breathable using the latest in outer fabrics to keep you dry & comfortable

Jacquard

A woven design made with the aid of a jacquard head and may range from simple, self-colored, spot effects to elaborate, multicoloured all-over effects.

Jersey

Very elastic with good draping qualities. Has special crease-resistant qualities due to its construction.

Kashmir

Kashmir fibre is cylindrical, soft and silken. More like wool than any other hair fibre. Has a very soft silky finish; very light in weight. Doesnt stand up to hard wear on account of extremely soft downy finish.

Knitting

Process of making fabric by interlocking series of loops of one or more yarns.

Latex

Natural and synthetic fibres are made from this raw material.

Leather

The skin of an animal tanned or otherwise dressed for use.

Loose Pocket

A pocket size piece of fabric is included and can be stitched on by the customer if required.

Lycra

An elastic polyurethane fibre or fabric used especially for close-fitting sports clothing.

Magic Button

No more gaping plackets with our new Magic Button. This button is cleverly hidden in the placket.

Melton

Thick well fulled or felted with a smooth surface. Napped and very closely sheared. Very solid cloth due to the finishing processes that completely conceal the weave. It wears very well. Wind resistant.

Mercerised cotton

Mercerised cotton is a special kind of yarn that is more lustrous than conventional cotton. It is also stronger and takes dye a little more readily. Mercerised cotton also makes the yarn more resistant to mildew and reduces lint. It also may not shrink or lose its shape as much as regular cotton.

Merino

Merino fibre is long and strong, which increases a garments durability and ability to remain smooth and soft. The longer fibre also means it is less likely to pill. Merino is a renewable, natural product. It is hard wearing, yet biodegradable.

Microfibre

Very fine filaments. Produce light soft and breathable fabrics.

Micron

Wool fibre diameter is measured in microns, with one micron equal to one millionth of a metre. The Micro measurement of the wool will influence its end-use as the smaller the micron, the finer the wool and the more comfortable to wear against the skin.

Modal

A super soft fabric made from regenerated cellulose fibre it leaves garments soft, wrinkle resistant and comfortable. Offers natural moisture absorption and evaporation faster than cottons. Contains no toxic substances and the factory producing the fabric has been awarded the Eurpoean ECO Label.

Mohair

Fabric is smooth, glossy, and wiry. It is 2.5 times as strong as wool.

Moisture Movement

Means that the properties of the fabrics draw moisture away from the body, through the fabric of the garment and allows it to evaporate into the open air keeping you cooler and drier.

Moisture Wicking

Means that the properties of the fabrics draw moisture away from the body, through the fabric of the garment and allows it to evaporate into the open air keeping you cooler and drier.

Nylon

This manufactured fibre is very strong and is resistant to both abrasion and damage from many chemicals. It is elastic, easy to wash and is quite lustrous. It returns easily to its original shape and is non-absorbent. It is fast drying, resistant to some dyes, and resistant to moths and other insects, water, perspiration and standard dry-cleaning agents.

Oeko-Tex

This internationally-recognized standard allows producers and consumers to objectively assess the presence of harmful substances in textiles and apparel products. http://www.oeko-tex.com/

Oilcloth

Originally, textiles such as cotton were coated in oil to create resistance to moisture. Now, resins from plastics are used instead of oil.

Organic

Grown using methods and materials that are ecologically, economically and socially sustainable and which have the lowest impact possible on the environment.

Ottoman

A heavy silken fabric with a mixture of wool or cotton. Heavy in weight.

Oxford

Warp has two fine yarns which travel as one and also one heavier softly-spun bulky filling which gives it a basket-weave look. Launders very well.

Pilling

Formation of fibre fuzz balls on a fabric surface by wear or friction.

Pinhead

A minute check effect caused by a combination of weave and colour. It has the appearance of tiny white dots appearing in rows, vertically, and horizontally. Holds a sharp crease, tailors and wears exceptionally well. In time, it is inclined to shine with wear.

Pique

A stiff ribbed cotton or other fabric. It is durable and launders well. Wrinkles unless given a wrinkle-free finish.

Polyester

An extremely resilient fibre that is smooth, crisp and particularly springy. Its shape is determined by heat and it is insensitive to moisture. It is lightweight, strong and resistant to creasing, shrinking, stretching, mildew and abrasion. It is readily washable and is not damaged by sunlight or weather and is resistant to moths and mildew.

Poplin

A plain-woven fabric, with a corded surface.

Rayon

This cellulose fibre is highly absorbent. Its drapability and dyeability are excellent and it is fairly soft. Rayon does have a tendency to shrink but does not melt in high temperatures. It is resistant to moths and is not affected by ordinary household bleaches and chemicals.

Repreve

Performance recycled padding using environmental-friendly materials made from recycled plastic bottles and post-industrial waste offering a sustainable equivalent to conventional yarns

Rococo

63% Polyester 33% Viscose 4% Elastane. A stretch comfort fabric with a soft handle that drapes perfectly against the skin.

Sateen

Cotton fabric woven like satin with a glossy surface. Lustrous and smooth with the sheen in a filling direction.

Satin

A fabric of silk or various man-made fibres, with a glossy surface on one side produced by a twill weave with the weft-threads almost hidden.

Scotchlite

3M Scotchlite provides the quality and reliability of a global brand which means the quality is never compromised by non-compliant alternative options.

Siena

79% Polyester 17% Viscose 4% Elastane. A lightweight easy care fabric that is soft and durable. Contains stretch for comfort and Viscose for breathability. Suitable for both functional and corporate roles

Silk

It is soft and has a brilliant sheen. It is one of the finest textiles. It is also very strong and absorbent.

Spandex

It is an elastomeric fibre (a type of polyurethane) that can be stretched up to five times its original length without being damaged. It is lightweight and flexible. It resists deterioration from perspiration, detergent and body oils.

Spun Rayon

Simulated cotton or wool made with staple fibres in a continuous strand to give this effect. Wears well and is washable.

Sublimated

A process to apply designs to a polyester garment. At high temperatures the solid dyes in the print/design convert into a gas. These high temperatures also open the pores of the polyester garment and allow the gas to enter. When the garment is removed from the heat press, the temperature drops, the pores close and the gas reverts to a solid state. It has now become a part of the polyester.

Suede Leather

A woven fabric resembling suede.

Taffeta

Lustrous silk or rayon fabric of plain weave.

Technidairy

Designed specifcally to withstand the rigours of use by the New Zealand farmer including acids often encountered by the Dairy farmer

Technifleece

This anti-pill feece with its velvet like finish and feel gives you superior performance, appearance and unsurpassed comfort

Technifleece companion

This anti-pill feece with its velvet like finish and feel gives you superior performance, appearance and unsurpassed comfort

Techniflex

Designed specifcally to withstand the rigours of use by the New Zealand farmer and is New Zealands No.1 fexible waterproof range.

Teflon

Teflon finish enhances a great product. Not only does this help the washability of the garments by releasing daily marks and grime, it also rejects oily stains

Terry Cloth

Very absorbent,Long wearing, easy to launder and requires no ironing.

Topgreen

Environmental-friendly recycled softshell polyester

TTMC-W

All products comply TTMC-W for the code of compliance requirement on NZ roads.

Tweed

It is the Scotch name for twill, does not hold a crease very well.

Twill

A fabric so woven as to have a surface of diagonal parallel ridges.

UPF

Ultraviolet protection factor.

Velvet

A closely woven fabric of silk, cotton, etc. with a thick short pile on one side.

Viscose

Viscose fabrics have a silky to matte lustre with an elegant flowing drape. Viscose is supple and has a softness that is comfortable to wear. As they can absorb perspiration quite quickly, making them very skin-friendly, but with poor thermal properties.

Windtight

Windtight fabric is a sophisticated triple layer anti-pill construction designed to provide total wind protection, water resistance (excluding seams) and breathability

Wool

This fibre is made from the hair of various animals such as sheep. It is very resilient and resistant to wrinkling. It is renewed by moisture and well known for its warmth.

Wool Jersey

Very elastic with good draping qualities. Has special crease-resistant qualities due to its construction.

Yarns

In order to weave a fabric, the fibre or blend of fibres must first be made into a yarn. Yarns vary in size and shape, both of which have an effect on the appearance of the fabric.