Have you ever gone hunting in winter? Well, I have. Wearing heavy pants and boots spoils the entire hunting mode. While you already know that you’ve to walk a lot. But you guys! Moleskin fabric pants have changed the entire game for me.

Not only does this fabric give warmness but also it’s resilient enough to bear any wear and tear. Plus, the fabric is 100% cotton so you can easily wash it even if it is heavy. I love to wear moleskin fabric jackets, when the temperature is not so hot or cold.

A perfectly balanced fabric that has made my life so easy and convenient. That I cannot resist myself to tell you more about it. Grab each piece of information from down below-

What is Moleskin Fabric? 

Moleskin is a 100% heavy cotton fabric. A fabric that is known for its endurance and durability. Not only that it comes with windproof and insulating attributes. Making it a perfect fit for military uniforms, workwear trousers, jackets, shirts, and so on.

Moleskin is utilized not just in the production of clothing. But also in the creation of household items such as upholstery and cushion covers.

The name “ moleskin ” derives from the fact that the fabric’s texture is comparable with the mole’s fur. But it is not made from animal skin. Moreover, moleskin is soft and comfortable too besides being durable. Moleskin is completely made of heavy-weight cotton fabric. Even it has a special texture for the way it has been weaved.

The moleskin is densely woven cotton, so the base material is cotton yarn. Moreover, it is woven in a compact twill weave. That’s why moleskin fabric has a strong and durable bottom for the fabric.

Just after weaving, the fabric is brushed to make sure a short, soft pile on one side. You will get a suede or velvety feeling in moleskin fabric for it.

At a Glance

History of Moleskin Fabric?

Moleskin started its journey in medieval Europe. At that time it was first formed to create clothing for the working class. It was a perfect choice for the texture, softness, and durability to withstand harsh working conditions.

After the Industrial Revolution, the popularity and production of moleskin escalated. Especially for daily workers such as coal miners. For them, a fabric’s durability and resistance capacity are highly important to prevent it from wear and tear.

At that time, the English manufacturers in the Lancashire region were popular for their high-quality moleskin fabric. Moleskin then became popular gradually in other European countries and the United States. Even for military uniforms, Moleskin is a great option.

You’ll be amazed to know that, moleskine has spread its wings beyond just being an outwear for workers. It has been included in fashion and pop culture since the 19th century by fashion designers. Upper classes started to wear the fabric as trousers, jackets, etc.

Takeaway: Do you know moleskin was worn by Ernest Hemingway? He has worn moleskin trousers on many adventures.

In the contemporary world, moleskin has evolved and adapted to the current changing fashion world. With the digitalization and advancements in textile technology.  Moleskin is now softer, more luxurious, and more comfortable.

Now moleskin is also used to prepare accessories like hats and gloves. Other than that, sofas and chairs are prepared with moleskin for its softness and durability.

What are the Properties of Moleskin Fabric?

Well, though Moleskin fabric is not luxurious, it has some properties that make it often a regular choice for many people. What are they? Let’s get a glimpse together.

Moleskin fabric on one side has a short and soft pile which ensures the softness and velvety feeling against the skin. Moreover, as it is prepared with entirely cotton, so is breathable, and comfortable even in humid regions.

Other than being soft and breathable, your moleskin is durable too. How? Well, for its dense weaving which ensures the fabric is resilient enough to wear and tear. Also, the fabric is abrasion-resistant for the short pile that protects the underlying cotton fibers.

Not only that, Moleskin fabric is good for normal weather but also colder weather. As it is windproof for the denseness. Moleskin fabric is wrinkle-resistant too, so you get a good option for travel or low-maintenance clothing!

How is Moleskin Fabric Made?

Firstly, the production of moleskin fabric begins through a selection of high-quality cotton fibers. Cotton is natural and has some varieties. So, the ones which have strength capacity, besides being soft, are chosen.

After that, the cotton fibers are then spun into yarn. And then thoroughly it will be woven into the moleskin fabric. Now, for weaving the key concept is to form a dense fabric with plain weaving. So the warp threads are put closer than the weft threads. For which you get a soft and velvety finish on one side and flat on the other.

When the weaving is done, the fabric undergoes several finishing processes. The first one is dying. Then treated with chemical agents to escalate the quality. Like durability, water-resilient capacity, etc. When the fabric is prepared, it goes to the garments, designers, etc. And you’ve your soft yet strong moleskin fabric under your hood!

Organic Moleskin & Sustainability

Well, moleskin fabric has both been prepared organically and conventionally.  The sole component of it is cotton which is prepared in both ways. So, when regular cotton comes in contact with pesticides it is already damaging the soil and wildlife.

Other than that, cotton is cultivated organically and has no chemical usage. It directly increases the health of the soil. Moreover, organic cotton does not hamper the environment. Also cotton is renewable, so you get a more eco-friendly fabric out of it.

You will find certified organic moleskin in the market. That ensures from every stage the fabric follows the textile organic standards and guidelines.

Why Is Moleskin On Demand; Benefits & Drawbacks?

Well, moleskin fabric is a lot of people’s first choice, whereas others will not even think of it as an option. So let’s break down the benefits and drawbacks to see who should keep it on their wishlist. Let’s explore both sides:

Benefits of Moleskin:

1. Beginning with moleskin, it is obligatory to mention that this fabric is durable enough. Why so? For the strong cotton base and abrasion resistance.
2. Secondly, this fabric is not harsh. So you get a comfortable outfit on a hectic labor day.
3. Plus, you get to wear this cotton fabric for its good airflow and breathability

Drawbacks of Moleskin:

1. You cannot just make any outfit out of this fabric which makes it not versatile!
2. As the fabric is dense and piled, a regular outfit made with Moleskin might not be your first choice.

Uses Of Moleskin Fabric in Modern Fashion

Not only is moleskin fabric durable but it can be styled too. Well, how? Let’s see the different uses of moleskin fabric. Well, let’s begin with how you can pair it up with pants or trousers. Besides wearing any comfortable sweatshirts you can wear moleskin pants. As it will keep you warm and cozy.

Even other than that, moleskin jackets and vests are good too. Moleskin can be your savior if you’re up for any outdoor activity or looking for comfortable wearable jackets. Moleskin Padding is very popular.

Pro tip: Do you know? There are hats and bags recently made out of moleskin fabric. Not only is it comfortable but also durable.

How To Find The Authenticity Of Moleskin Fabric?

Purchasing any dress of not-so-common fabric when you don’t have any idea, might be tricky. As there is no signified test there is no easy escape. However, some key aspects that can always save your back are-

1. Always purchase from a popular brand or seller. Look for their selling rates, and reviews to ensure they are good or bad. A little bit of googling can save half of the day!
2. Then look for the garment description. To ensure that either they have pin-pointed it as moleskin fabric or not. Try to avoid “mixed moleskin or moleskin-like etc”.
3. And then comes inspecting the fabric texture. Like is it soft? Does it have a short pile with a consistent texture? Can you feel a suede-like texture? Avoid any rough or stiff-feeling moleskin.
4. Well, moleskin is heavy-weight. So if any seller claims it’s lightweight, RUN!

These are a few of my key insights that have helped me to purchase authentic moleskin. And for sure you can ask for any certifications that claimed!

How To Wear Moleskin: Fashion Guide

Who doesn’t want their OOTD to be full of style? And if it’s comfortable then that’s a plus point! So moleskin fabric being the versatile material gives you the option to pair it up. How so? Let’s have a guide.

If you’re planning to wear moleskin pants then pair it up with any shirt and sweater for any casual classic look. Any brown or olive color works perfectly with moleskin fabric pants. However, if you’re planning to wear moleskin fabric jackets or vests. Then you can layer it up too. Like wear any T-shirt or turtleneck and then wear the jacket. And pair it up with any jeans. 

A perfect outdoor outfit!

But keep in mind to pair it up with different textures like corduroy pants or knit sweaters. It will give your outfit an extra dimension!

Pro tip: For spring or summer if you are planning to wear anything made of moleskin fabric look for colors like beige or cream. It will compliment your look even better!

Well, there are not only jackets or vests you can also wear moleskin fabric-made skirts and dresses too. For any casual outing, you can wear circle skirts of moleskin fabric as the drape and structure form of this fabric is stunning!

Other than that, in cold weather, to remain in style you can wear moleskin gloves too! Yes, folks, you’ve heard me right! Moleskin gloves are prepared with ballpoint needles which gives the fabric more thickness and ensures smoothness and warmness.

I’ve already mentioned that there are moleskin handbags. You can have them as they are sturdy, soft, and velvety in texture. Pair it up with your dress as an accessory!

What Are The Alternatives Of Moleskin Fabric?

Moleskin fabric does have some alternatives that you can have as an option if you want to. Corduroy, flannel, tweed, etc. How they can be alternatives let’s know that.

Beginning with, Corduroy which is quite similar to moleskin. The raised pile that gives a soft feeling against the skin is similar to corduroy too. Also, the fabric has wider variation in terms of weight.

The flannel is soft and warm and plain-weave fabric. So if you’re looking for jackets and shirts, flannel can be a great alternative. Flannel is loosely woven and is perfect for cool-weather hiking or outdoor activities.

But there is a problem with this fabric: it can get more wrinkled than moleskin!

How To Sew Moleskin Dress: Pro Tips

Though moleskin fabric is a darling one but a painful one too when it comes to making attire. These are a few expert tips and tricks that can help your moleskin fabric dress.

1. Always keep sharp scissors to make sure the cutting is precise.
2. For hemming, use a double-fold hem. Meaning, fold the fabric twice before stitching it down. Even you can use a rolled hem foot attachment on the sewing machine to form a narrow and clean finish.
3. For sewing, select an appropriate needle like a sharp or microtex needle. The size can be 80/12, 90/14, or 100/16 needles. And for thread use a high-quality cotton-polyester blend.
4. Adjust the pressure foot pressure of your machine. So that the fabric can glide through smoothly and prevent uneven stitches.

How to Take Care of Your Moleskin Fabric?

Moleskin fabric needs care to ensure quality and longevity. Step by step how you can properly care for it will be discussed down below.

Washing Moleskin Clothes

Moleskin clothes should be washed by turning them inside out before washing. For it, you can use a gentle detergent which is delicate for fabric. DO NOT use any bleach or fabric softeners!

If there is any stain, take the affected area, rinse it properly then clean the entire cloth.

Drying And Ironing Moleskin Garments

When your clothes are washed. You can simply air dry it so that the fabric shape is not shrunk. Any drying rack or dry surface can let the drying process speed up a bit. Don’t use any cloth dryer.

Now when you want to iron the moleskin garments, use a low to medium heat setting on your iron. And always try to turn it inside out so that the fabric doesn’t get any damage.

Storing Moleskin Clothes

While you want to store the moleskin clothes it is suggested to keep them in a cool and dry place. So that no mildew grows in the cloth. Also, it is suggested not to fold any moleskin cloth so the cloth doesn’t get any crease. You can use wooden hangers for it.

Moleskin Fabric By The Yard

Moleskin fabric by the yard pricing starts from $3-$6. The price range can increase when you want to buy any mid-range moleskin, for instance, $8-&16. And a high quality option for moleskin fabric can be around $22-$25 per yard.

Try to purchase from any renowned brand!

5 Best Moleskin Brand

When you are looking for any brand it gets difficult to choose among so many. That’s why I have found 5 best moleskin brands where you can find good quality moleskin fabric outfits. 

Those are-

1. Drake Waterfowl
2. Wolf vintage clothing
3. Rare fabric studio
4. Elgar Shirts
5. Womens within

These are some websites where you can easily shop moleskin fabric dresses! The first two give you the opportunity to shop both on their website and they’re available on amazon too!

Where To Buy Moleskin?

You can have a look at this link of Amazon, Etsy, and Joann Fabric where you can have moleskin fabric at a reasonable price.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’S)

Is Moleskin prepared from Moles?

No, moleskin fabric is woven using 100% cotton. It is dyed and then brushed heavily to ensure a smooth soft fabric that is identical to the skin of a mole.

Can I wear moleskin in summer?

You can surely wear it for its high breathability ability. So even if you wear it, it will keep you cool in summer as well.

Is moleskin warmer than wool?

No, moleskin is not warmer than wool. As wool has some natural water repellency but cotton doesn’t. Moleskin will get soggy in rain but wool will be warmer.

Conclusion

When the weather is damp and cold, a warm yet cool outfit can be the sunshine for the rest of your day. But wearing any heavy fabric for the whole day is uncomfortable too. Moleskin fabric can be a savior and keep you warm and comfortable. That’s what I’ve been discussing, the texture, properties, and so on.

Other than that, the links provided are an easy scapegoat for you to not blame your busy schedule. Do visit.

Shariful Alam

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!

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