Crepe fabric is an evergreen textile worn or used by several different names. This fabric type has witnessed several glorious eras and cultures throughout time. Who would’ve thought a fabric worn for mourning would become an iconic luxury in modern times? 

As you’ve guessed, Team Muslin Dhaka will share their real-life knowledge of luxury crepe fabrics. We’ll also talk about some of the budget-friendly options. You can get to know about the fabric from many different angles. It will help you to make your own fashion. 

So, let’s start.

What is Crepe Fabric? 

In French, Crêpe means sweet pancakes. But in textile dictionaries, crepe textile means fabrics with raised or 3D texture. 

To be more specific, a fabric that has crinkled or puckered textures, yet is soft to the touch, is known as crepe fabric. There are different materials and methods to make a crepe fabric. 

There is no specific requirement for a textile to be a crepe fabric except for having soft wrinkles or pebbles on the surface. So, crepe is not a specific fabric. Instead, it’s a textile niche that includes several types of fabrics. There can be any type of materials, patterns, colors, weaves, etc. 

However, this is mainly a clothing fabric. It is widely used for both men’s and women’s fashion items. 

At a Glance

Materials of Crepe Fabric

Crepe fabric’s original material was silk and wool. But nowadays, you’ll also find cotton and synthetic crepe fabrics. 

Silk crepe or organic cotton crepe fabrics are very soft and breathable. On the other side, original woolen crepe fabric is currently the most expensive option. 

The invention of polyester fabric was around a hundred years ago. After that, polyester or blended crepe fabric become more popular to general people. Because they were both affordable and durable. 

Is Crepe Fabric a Luxury Item?

Crepe fabric is obviously a type of luxury fabric. Many royal fabrics like chiffon and georgette are parts of crepe family. 

As there are hundreds of varieties, luxury crepe only refers to those types that are made of pure and high-quality silk yarns. If you look at the history of crepe fabric, in most regions, crepe was introduced as a type of expensive silk fabric. Later on, it became a luxury of different cultures. 

There are also Alpaca crepe and Marana crepe fabrics made of rare wool fibers. They are very expensive fabrics. In a way, those fabrics are also a kind of luxury. 

The Origin of Crepe Fabric

Till now, the origin of crepe fabric is unknown. Some say it was born in China as the country was the biggest producer of rich silk. Some others say European weavers created the fabric mainly for mourning. 

According to our research, crepe fabric has separate histories in different regions. In South Asia, crepe fabric started its journey even before the British Colonial rule. From the beginning, this fabric was used to make women’s cultural dresses like lehengas, sarees, kurtas, etc. 

But there are also signs that crepe had a rich history in Chinese domains. A good example is Crepe de Chine. It was a part of royal fashion several centuries ago. 

Japan also used crepe fabrics like chijimi, chirimen, etc. to make kimonos for several centuries. 

But in European countries, crepe fabric was mostly famous in Greece during the 19th century as a mourning cloth. Back then, the black crepe was worn to mourn when family members or relatives had died. But after a few decades, the fabric became a fashion item in France and England. 

At this age, crepe fabric is solely a fashion item to make fancy or regular clothing. More than 10 countries make and export high-quality crepe textiles.

How is Crepe Fabric Made?

Crepe fabric can be made of both plain weave and twill weave. Some rare options can also have other types of weaves. Surprisingly, there are knitted crepe fabrics nowadays. 

No matter what the core construction is, manufacturers apply any of these two methods for the crepe texture: 

• Hard Twisting: 

This method is used especially when the material is pure silk or cotton. Tighter S or Z twists naturally make the yarns create puckered or raised surfaces after weaving. 

• Post-Weaving Treatments: 

If the fabric is made plain with any hard twists, factories put the fabric into special treatments after weaving to make it forcefully crinkled or puckered. 

Crepe Fabric Characteristics

It’s time to show you some key characteristics of this versatile fabric. 

Finish

Silk crepe fabric can be lustrous or shiny. But cotton or other fibers are dull. The raised patterns or wrinkles are mostly visible from a distance. 

Texture

The texture can be pebbled, wrinkled, crisped, bumped, pleated, etc. In most cases, you can feel the textures with a slight touch. Yet, you’ll find the raised or gritted parts gentle to the skin. This is the main fact you must remember to understand this fabric.

Softness

The softness depends on the material. Pure cotton, silk, and wool are very soft. Unless the fabric is treated to be a structured textile. 

Comfort

Most types of crepe fabrics are pretty comfortable. However, some synthetic finishes might not be good for your skin. 

Yarn Quality

Normally, thin yarns are used to make luxury crepe fabrics. Cotton and silk yarns can be more precise and uniform. But expensive wool yarns can have a different nature.

Breathability

The fabric made of natural fibers is very breathable. Although some exceptions tend to be dense or less breathable. 

Heat Insulation

Only the expensive wool crepe insulates heat. You can see the fabric in winter clothing. 

Drape

Crepe fabric has both flowy and bouncy drapes. The drape is capable of creating a catchy silhouette for dresses. 

Stretch

If not used elastane, the fabric won’t be too stretchy. 

Moisture Absorption

Crepe fabrics made of natural fibers absorb moisture pretty quickly. They also dry faster. But rayon or polyester ones might be a bit slow in this matter. 

Transparency

Being sheer is a general property for crepe fabrics. There are also slightly opaque options like georgette and cotton crepe. Those fabrics won’t reveal too much even under bright sunlight. 

Thickness

Whether the fabric is sheer or opaque, the thickness remains between the organza and Oxford fabric’s thicknesses. You won’t find it as thick as chenille even if made of wool.

Shrinkage

Natural fibers in crepe textiles will obviously shrink. Because of this, some prefer to use synthetic types. 

Durability 

Poly crepe fabric is the most durable option. You won’t be able to use luxury crepe fabrics regularly. Cotton crepe fabric might be a decent option with both durability and rich comfort.

Color Retention

You can have any type of print or dye on this fabric. The color would last for years.

Maintenance

The care guide depends on the materials. We’ll talk about it later. 

Types of Crepe Fabric 

Throughout history, this fabric has had hundreds of forms. Each region reformed crepe fabric according to their culture and demands. Key purposes were mourning clothes, luxury apparel, common clothing, etc. 

During the research, we found 115+ types of crepe exist in the fashion world. Among them, we will mention the ones you need to know the most. We’ve made a separate article on the most famous types of crepe fabric.

For now, let’s name the types based on the material. 

• Silk Crepe: The most luxurious type of crepe with a better look and feel. Examples are chiffon, georgette, crepe de chine, aerophane, etc. 
• Cotton Crepe: Cotton muslin, Chijimi, Balzarine, etc. are the famous cotton crepe fabrics. Remember, many types of cotton fabric can have a crepe texture.
• Wool Crepe: Use of fine wool from Australia, New Zealand, and South America to make wool crepe for winter.
• Synthetic or Polyester Crepe: The most budget-friendly and durable type of crepe.
• Blended Fabrics: Some companies also use different silk or cotton blends to make efficient crepe fabrics. 

A Misconception About Crepe

Theoretically, any fabric with crinkled or patterned textures without any layering is a type of crepe fabric. But most of the modern fabric experts omit this basic thing. They only consider crepe fabrics as those mostly silk, sheer, or semi-sheer, and very lightweight. 

That’s why they never mention fabrics like crepe mohair, mulmul, or chijimi. But we are not making this mistake. We will talk about them in another discussion.

Common Uses of Crepe Fabric

You can use crepe fabrics to make these items: 

• Men’s clothing: Shirts, kurtas, etc. made of crepe fabric might be a good choice for breathability during summer. 
• Women’s fancy wear: Different types of tops, kaftans, etc. are good for indoor environments and casual outings. 
• Evening gown: You can see exclusive skirts and luxurious dresses made of silk crepe fabrics for different occasions. 
• Bedding & home decor: Crepe fabrics are good as curtains because of drapery. There are also shams made of crepe for decorating bedrooms. 
• Layering: Using textured crepe over a plain cloth can make the item look gorgeous. 
• Accessories: Veils, scarves, shawls, etc. made of crepe fabric are available in every country. This fabric goes well with almost any clothes. 

Advantages & Disadvantages of Crepe

Here are some key benefits and drawbacks of luxury crepe fabric. 

Advantages

• Versatile fabric can be used in many different ways
• Good for both casual and special wear
• One of the best fabrics for summer
• Good for both bold and conservative clothing
• Very comfortable to wear
• Easy to style
• Huge amount of variety
• Great color retention
• Lightweight and strong enough
• More available than other luxury fabrics

Disadvantages

• Not a good option for formal wear
• Finding the best among so many might be tough
• Hard to sew or cut for beginners

Crepe Fabric’s Impact on the Environment: Sustainability

Most of the luxury fabrics are environment-friendly. So as crepe. Exclusive crepe fabrics are mainly made of silk or wool. Both of these materials are biodegradable. 

Besides, the production of natural fibers doesn’t emit any noticeable amount of CO2. The amount of industrial waste is also low in this matter. That’s why using luxury crepe fabric won’t harm the environment. 

But cotton production requires a huge amount of water. So, all types of cotton crepe might not be sustainable. Only the ones with organic certifications are the best. 

Make sure you purchase your luxury fabric with labels that prove it to be natural and sustainable. 

How to Style with Crepe Fabric

You can style you want with a silk or cotton crepe fabric. 

For instance, you can wear a colorful crepe skirt with a plain top or blouse to look decent and stylish. 

A crepe shawl over your jacket can also be a new type of fashion. 

For men, you can try a loose-fit crepe shirt with either denim or gabardine pants. Wearing sunglasses with this outfit makes you look smart. 

You can also wear loose crepe shirts with floral prints with your shorts in summer. It keeps you cool and cozy. 

Young women can try crepe veils or lehengas as parts of cultural dresses. Vibrant crepe scarves are always sophisticated. 

Future of crepe fabric in the Fashion industry 

A fabric like a crepe has less chance of being off the trend anytime soon. Each country considers this fabric in its own way. The craze for this fabric is growing every year. 

At first, China and Europe were the only places to export crepe fabrics. Now, even developing countries like India and Bangladesh are also filling a huge part of the demand for this fabric. 

The factories are growing in several countries. Fashion designers are innovating new ways to use this fabric. As there are cost-effective versions of luxury crepe, people can rely on this textile for different types of clothing. 

Thus, there’s a chance that crepe fabric will dominate the fashion industry till the end of the 21st century. 

Biggest Producers of Crepe textile

China, India, Bangladesh, Australia, France, and Italy are the biggest producers. China was once the biggest exporter of silk crepe. But they are now more focused on synthetic crepe fabrics as those are affordable for people from all classes. 

Australian wool crepe fabrics are popular globally for their unique qualities. 

France and Italy make mainly luxury silk fabrics for designer items. They cost more than the average range. 

Care Guide

The first thing you need to follow is the care label with the fabric or dress. 

It’s better to wash crepe fabric manually with mild detergent. And don’t think of using bleach as this fabric isn’t dense like other ones. 

Direct ironing might ruin its normal texture. That’s why put a cloth over the crepe fabric to iron.

And don’t forget to use hangers to store crepe clothes. 

Note: As crepe fabric can be made of different natural fibers, it’s hard to tell a fixed detailed care guide. You should follow our instructions on caring for luxury fabrics. There, we separately described how you can clean each type of luxury material. 

Crepe Fabric by the yard

Silk crepe fabric can cost at least 15-20$ every yard. But exclusive printed crepe can cost 10 times more than this range. 

However, cotton crepe ranges between 8-18$ depending on the cotton quality. 

There’s no fixed price range for woolen fiber types. It depends on the source mainly. They can cost around 30-150$ based on the quality and exclusivity. 

The price for polyester or rayon crepe starts from 4$.

Where to Buy Crepe Fabric

Quickly check these sellers to get your desired crepe fabric. 

• SilkChina: for luxury silk crepe fabric. 
• Joel & Sons: for exclusive collections.
• TPOHH Store: for plain silk crepe.
• SaraOschilesOrganic: for organic cotton crepe. 
• Zelouf Fabric: affordable option.

FAQ

What is the best type of crepe fabric?

Silk crepe fabrics are the best options. However, if you are concerned about your budget, you can go for cotton types. 

Is crepe fabric for summer?

Most of the crepe fabrics are obviously for summer only. But some mid-weight crepe fabrics can make good dresses for spring and autumn. 

Is crepe better than chiffon?

Chiffon is a famous type of crepe fabric. But it is said that chiffon is better and more famous than many other types of crepe fabric that ever existed. 

Is viscose and crepe same?

Viscose is the name of a blended fabric, mostly cotton blend. A viscose fabric can have a raised texture just like other crepe fabrics. 

Does crepe shrink?

Crepe has a high possibility of shrinking if made of cotton. Silk materials can have a lower shrinkage rate. But polyester or synthetic crepe would never shrink.

Does crepe make you sweat? 

Crepe fabrics are generally breathable. So, you won’t sweat wearing a crepe shirt. Unless your body temperature is always naturally high.

How do I get a makeup stain out of my crepe fabric wedding dress?

You can try the makeup remover you use on your face. Take a fresh napkin dipped inside the remover. Then slightly rub it over the stain. 

What is a good and cheaper substitute for Crepe fabric?

If organic or luxury crepe fabric doesn’t fit your budget, try polyester or rayon crepe. They are 10 times cheaper than pure cotton or 100% silk.

Summary

It’s hard to find a woman who has never used a crepe cloth in her life. Even so, there are so many unknown facts about this fabric. But we briefly talked about them today to clear your concepts of this fabric. 

So, we hope there won’t be any issues while buying crepe fabric after reading this article. If you want to know about a luxury fabric that’s not crepe, but as popular as crepe, read Taffeta fabric.

Shariful Alam

Website | + posts

Shariful Alam Pavel, A fashion lover, passionate marketer. Love to share wisdom based on real life experience to enrich knowledge.
Founder of Muslin Dhaka, a brand, speaks the truth about royal muslin and fashion. Explore the digital fashion universe with organic cotton muslin and much more!

• Types of Crepe Fabric
• Authentic Mulberry Silk Fabric: Luxury Among Luxury
• Golden Spider Silk Fabric: Powerful Fabric Ever Made
• Shahtoosh: The Most Expensive Wool I Wish You Never Have 1!