Fabric Guide and Care Tips

Every clergy attire we send out is cut from a fabric chosen for its own reasons; drape, breathability, discipline of wear. Care for it the way it was made to be cared for, and it will serve your ministry for years to come.

W

Wool Blend


Composition & characteristics
Blend Poly-wool suiting fabric, made by blending natural sheep's wool fibres with synthetic polyester fibres — a balanced textile.
Wool contributes Insulation, moisture control, and a classic, elegant, luxurious drape.
Polyester contributes Structural strength, shape retention, and resistance to daily wear and wrinkles.
Common ratio 55% Polyester / 45% Wool — a standard balance maximising durability and affordability, and the most common composition for everyday wear.
Washing
Dry clean only. Wool's fibres felt and shrink under water and agitation, so this is not a home-wash fabric regardless of which garment it's added to.
Drying
Never tumble dry. Air out on a padded hanger between wears instead of frequent cleaning.
Ironing
Cool iron with a damp pressing cloth, or steam from a distance. Direct heat can scorch and glaze wool fibres.
Bleach
Never bleach wool in any form — it breaks down the protein fibre.
Storage
Store folded, not hung long-term, with cedar or lavender rather than mothballs, in a breathable bag away from damp.
Note: Because wool is offered as an upgrade on cassocks, robes, suits and vestments alike, this care applies to the wool portion of any of those garments — check your individual label for the exact blend.
TR

Tropical Suiting


Composition & characteristics
Blend A blend of polyester and viscose fibres, woven in a lightweight, breathable tropical weave — combining synthetic strength with a soft, natural drape.
Weight Lightweight, usually around 180–200 grams per square metre (gsm).
Easy care Resists wrinkling better than pure cotton or wool.
Cost More affordable than natural wool or silk blends.
Used for Cassocks, robes, chimere, suits, and vestments.
Washing
Dry cleaning keeps the drape and shoulder shaping intact. If washing at home, use cold water on a gentle cycle with a mild detergent, alone or with like colours.
Drying
Hang on a sturdy, shaped hanger. If tumble drying is unavoidable, use the lowest heat for the shortest time.
Ironing
Low-to-medium synthetic setting with a pressing cloth; steam lightly rather than pressing hard.
Bleach
Never chlorine bleach. A little oxygen-based stain remover is fine for spot treatment.
Storage
Broad, padded hanger in a breathable garment bag, away from direct sunlight.
Note: Resists wrinkling by design a quick steam is usually enough between full cleanings.

C

Pure Cotton


Composition & characteristics
Fibre 100% natural cotton. Higher-end pieces use extra-long staple (ELS) fibres like Egyptian or Supima cotton for stronger, smoother, more lustrous yarns.
Yarn Premium pieces use 2-ply yarns (two threads twisted together), giving greater durability, opacity, and a smoother texture than single-ply alternatives.
Weave Broadcloth/poplin — tightly woven, smooth, lightweight, and flat; the classic formal choice.
Feel & drape Soft, supple, and smooth against the skin, softening further with each wash. Clean and structured without feeling stiff, for a sharp silhouette.
Breathability Highly breathable and cool, though it absorbs moisture and can wrinkle more easily than synthetic blends.
Quality markers Thread/yarn numbers from 80s to 140s indicate finer, denser threads. Look for combed cotton (smoother) and mercerized cotton (extra strength, shrinkage resistance, brilliant lustre).
Washing
Machine wash warm or cold, normal or gentle cycle, with similar colours. Durable and handles regular washing well.
Drying
Tumble dry low or line dry for the best fibre life. Remove promptly to reduce deep-set wrinkles.
Ironing
Irons best slightly damp, medium-to-hot. Press pleats and collar first, then the body.
Bleach
Chlorine safe only on white, undyed cotton; use oxygen-based bleach on coloured habits.
Storage
Fold or hang somewhere dry and ventilated — let it air fully before storing to avoid mildew.
Note: Expect 2–5% shrinkage on the first wash — normal, and accounted for in sizing.

Used across:

Nuns' Habit
C
 

Raw Cotton


Composition & characteristics
Fibre Typically 100% pure, natural cotton — sometimes undyed or organic.
Weave & weight Usually a medium-to-heavyweight cotton weave (canvas, twill, or homespun) that gives structural integrity without the heat of traditional choir wool.
Sustainability Often chosen in its natural, unbleached, or eco-friendly state to align with monastic simplicity.
Feel Soft to the touch yet substantial, without the slickness or static of synthetic blends.
Breathability Highly porous and moisture-absorbent, staying comfortable across varying climates compared to dense wool.
Drape A heavier, organic drape that falls cleanly from the shoulders to the ankles, softening gracefully with repeated washing.
Durability & care Withstands frequent laundering while retaining its structural strength and comfort. Generally machine-washable; line-drying or cold washing is recommended to preserve softness and prevent excessive shrinkage.
Washing
Wash separately at first in cold water, by hand or on the gentlest cycle. Softens and settles over the first several washes.
Drying
Air dry flat or in the shade — tumble drying can pull the looser weave out of shape.
Ironing
Medium heat while still a little damp; avoid high heat.
Bleach
Do not bleach — it strips the fibre's natural texture.
Storage
Skip fabric softener. Store fully dry, folded, in a breathable space.
Note: Slub, colour variation and a firmer initial hand are natural, not flaws — it softens with wear.

PC
 

Poly-Cotton


Composition & characteristics
Standard blend 65% polyester / 35% cotton, balancing synthetic strength with natural comfort and maximising wrinkle resistance and durability.
CVC variant Chief Value Cotton — a blend where cotton makes up around 35% of the mix, offering softer comfort.
Feel Smooth and relatively crisp, though slightly less breathable than 100% cotton.
Weight & drape Medium-weight, draping cleanly for a sharp, tailored look.
Comfort Comfortable and soft enough for all-day wear, though it can feel slightly warmer or trap more heat in hot weather due to the polyester content.
Durability Highly resistant to tears, pilling, and abrasion, outlasting pure cotton.
Maintenance Highly wrinkle-resistant, shrinks very little, dries quickly, and needs minimal ironing.
Appearance Retains vibrant colour longer than pure cotton since polyester locks in dye; lower-tier poly-cotton can look slightly shiny.
Washing
Machine wash warm or cold, normal cycle — built for regular, easy laundering.
Drying
Tumble dry low and remove promptly; overdrying can set wrinkles.
Ironing
Light press on low heat, or smooth by hand while still warm from the dryer.
Bleach
Avoid chlorine, which yellows the polyester over time; oxygen-based bleach is fine.
Storage
Hang immediately after drying to keep collar and cuffs crisp.
Note: The most wash-and-wear-friendly fabric in the range — ideal for weekly rotation.

Across every garment

General care principles we build every label around

Read first

Follow the sewn-in label

This guide covers our fabrics in general; the label sewn into your specific garment always takes precedence if it differs.

Default setting

Cold water, mild detergent

Cold water protects colour and fibre strength across all fabrics and is our default recommendation unless noted otherwise.

Load separately

Wash trims and vestments apart

Keep embroidered, piped or buttoned garments away from zips and heavier items that could snag threads or trim.

Act fast

Treat stains before washing

Blot — never rub — a fresh stain and pre-treat it, so it lifts in the wash rather than setting into the weave.

Out of the sun

Skip direct sunlight

Dry all garments out of direct sun. Every fabric here will fade or discolour with prolonged UV exposure.

Right hanger

Store the right way

Broad, padded hangers for structured robes and suits; folded, breathable storage for habits, wool and shirts.


Care guide compiled for reference: always follow the label attached to your individual garment — it takes precedence over the general guidance above, including for wool add-ons. Questions? Email support@eclergys.com.

Ready to shop?

Browse our full range of clergy robes and cassocks at eClergys.com — with a wool upgrade available on request.

Shop Cassocks & Clergy Robes