The world of textile has opened doors of innovation, creativity, comfort and variety for the designers and garment houses. The alternatives with regard to function, fabric and fall of a garment have improved and this upgrading can be credited to the innumerable fabrics that are available in the market. The modern day textile sector provides unrivalled variety of products at ultra-flexible prices. In fact the fabrics that have entered the market a few years back have been made bearing in mind the practicality and purposefulness that a cloth can bring to a garment. The fabrics available in the global market have unearthed that the continuous research has led to evolvement of new fabrics as well as increased use of old fabrics like poplin.
Poplin is made with the plain weave. Poplin describes the weave rather than the fabric. Poplin has very fine, closely spaced, crosswise ribs and contains a heavier filling yarn and several number of warp yarns. So when the manufacturers mention poplin shirts, it is a reference to the kind of weave in the shirt and not fabric. It mostly includes the cotton weave and this weave renders the fabric with sturdiness. The poplin is similar to broadcloth, which also has fine and close spaced ribs.
Earlier poplin was made with silk yarn warp with heavier filling of wool, but today cotton and synthetic yarns are also used to create poplin fabric. This fabric is used for shirts, lowers or pyjamas, women's wear including dresses and tops, sportswear, rich upholstery and also as a fabric in decorative items like frames and wall hangings. Poplin fabric is easy to maintain and does not wrinkle easily.
In comparison to several rich fabrics, the poplin fabric is reasonably priced, which has made it a preferred choice of designers and garment manufacturers. This fabric is produced everywhere around the world, however, the preference of blends depend on the natives of a nation. In countries where the temperature is on cooler side, heavier yarns like silk and wool are used in poplin fabric to produce heavy winter clothing including overcoats and warm lowers.
The poplin fabric has a very smooth finish, which is attained by one by one crossing of warp and weft yarns, thus imparting the fabric with a smooth hand feel and an even surface. Many designers incorporate poplin in making clothing required for regular wear, as poplin is durable, strong and easy to maintain. It is one of the top choices for making team uniforms, as it has an unmatched elegance and is also not highly priced.
Polyester poplin is popular in countries like USA, Europe. These countries are also selling good quality organic poplin. In countries like India, Bangladesh cotton Poplin is all the rage among the consumers and designers. Cotton poplin feels light, cool and crisp against the skin and the traditional weave allows skin to breathe easily, making it a perfect choice for summers.
The hundred percent polyester poplin has also gained recognition in recent years. It is an extremely efficient material, which has a bit of firm drape along with horizontal rib weave. This fabric is heavy and lasts longer than the cotton poplin fabric. The designers are experimenting with colours that render the poplin fabric with a lot of attractiveness. The colours also ensure that poplin garments can be worn at any occasion.
The cent percent poplin fabric is also used for medical purposes. The polyester poplin is not only wrinkle resistant, but it is also flame resistant, making it a suitable choice of clothing in certain professions. In countries like United Kingdom, France, United States etc. polyester poplin is often used to make office clothing. Organic poplin that uses organic cotton is also in trend in these countries, as the textile industry in these developed nations focuses on use of eco-friendly clothing. Apart from cotton poplin, silk poplin and polyester poplin, there is also stretchable poplin made from spandex. The poplin clothes can be simply washed in machine in warm water and can be tumble dried like regular clothing.
The textile world has been a witness to a continuous revolution with regard to fabric innovation and this has resulted in rise in demand of fabrics like poplin that when used with wool becomes suitable for colder weather and when used in combination with cotton is a perfect choice for summers. The designers and consumers both have shown an increasing appreciation for the well-made, affordable and workable poplin garments.
Nevertheless, poplin is still struggling to take a solid grasp at the market, as many designers and high end brands prefer linen or similar fabrics when it comes to summer clothing and there are richer fabrics like silk that can be used along with wool during winters. Though poplin has found its own clich market and loyal line of designers, but the way to top is not going to be easy for this fabric. There are likes of other fabrics that are in vogue as of now. Meanwhile, the experiments with blends to create a more functional poplin fabric can guarantee a bright future to this fabric. Poplin's journey has been interesting so far and it is gradually catching attention of the global market.
