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Fabric Guide

	Cashmere: Gets its name from the Kashmir goat of India. Cashmere is a super soft luxury fabric, although is often mixed with wools or synthetics to keep costs down (this is how you can get cashmere in Target these days, for example). Advantages: Soft, luxurious look and feel, has a little bit of stretch, adapts to the temperature (keeps you warm in winter but cool in spring). Disadvantages: Many great cashmere lines (TSE, Lucien Pellat Finet, etc) do not make plus size cashmere items. Those that do often offer unstructured pieces, as opposed to ones that are body hugging. Also, cashmere is fragile, prone to snags, moth holes and pilling.

	Cotton: Natural fiber used in the majority of casual clothing on the market including many panties, t-shirts and workout gear. Advantages: Soft, easy fit, affordable, can be machine washed. Disadvantages: Often does not age well, color made fade after repeated washings.

	Linen: Natural fabric that comes from the flax plant. Linen is similar to cotton but stronger, and without any stretch. Advantages: Comfortable; breathes well. Disadvantages: Wrinkles easy; does not conform to the curves of the body, not dressy.

	Lycra/spandex: A strong, elastic, man-made fabric that is frequently blended with other fabrics to make them stretchier. Most bathing suits, sports bras, leggings and very clinging clothing items have a percentage of lycra in them. Advantages: When used as a small percentage of a fabric, lycra can add a little stretch without being too tight. Disadvantages: The greater the percentage of lycra or spandex in the garment, the tighter it will fit, clinging to areas you might not want to showcase. Sometimes it also doesn't breathe very well.

	Rayon: A man made fiber that is often used as an alternative to silk. Rayon is commonly found in dress and jacket linings, although it is also frequently used in less expensive evening wear. Advantages:Feels good to the touch, can sometimes give a look of quality at a reduced price. Disadvantages: Can sometimes look cheap, shiny rayon can become dull over time.

	Satin: A weave made from silk or man-made fibers like polyester, this thick fabric is most often utilized for evening and bridal wear. Advantages: Satin can be a fairly flattering fabric, and even polyester satins can look expensive. Look for satins that are lined, they skim the body a little better. Disadvantages: Can wrinkle or crease from sitting, can show sweat stains if it's a light color, usually doesn't have stretch to it unless it is cut on the bias.

	Silk: Comes from caterpillar cocoons. This is a luxury fabric with a shine to it. Silk is most often seen in evening wear, scarves, camisoles, and lingerie. Advantages: Silk looks and feels expensive and elegant. Disadvantages: Silk will lay against your body in a way that shows every lump and bump.

	Velvet: A tightly woven fabric with a thick pile to it, velvet can come in a variety of thicknesses and types. Velvet is most often seen in tops, tunics and evening wear. Advantages: Feels good to the touch, if it is cut on the bias or has stretch it will lay nicely on the body. Disadvantages: Some velvets can look cheap, can be hard to launder, depending on the style it can look very outdated.

	Wool: A fiber made from goats, sheep or other wooly animals. Wool is a warm fabric most often used for outerwear, sweaters, or winter pants. Advantages: Keeps you really warm. Disadvantages: Depending on the type, it can be really itchy, and can smell funny if it gets wet.