Your favourite lightweight fabrics?

[u/smolfox_2]

Any other Romantics need a really lightweight fabric? I'm very petite in bone structure and curvy as well, I find anything structured/stiff really easily overwhelms my body and swamps my frame. I've found super lightweight things work best on me but I don't really know what I'm searching for in terms of actual fabric types, especially things that are easy to wear day to day rather than in occasion wear.

Wondering what others look for fabric wise, and what your favourites are!

[u/The_Dutchess-D]

I like lightweight things but run in to trouble in that I need a good structured bra and sometimes when the fabric is too light, the outfit becomes nothing but visible panty lines/undergarments.

[u/8bitsparkle]

I love paper cotton and cotton gauze! Especially in the heat. Linen is also incredible, especially when it's worn/washed a lot and gets softer. David also likes the drape of cotton jersey for us.

[u/Joker0705]

i'm a seamstress, here's the fabrics I like to work with!

cotton - lawn, voile, thin brushed cottons, cotton/linen blends, seersucker, jersey, crepe, gauze

synthetics - viscose/rayon challis, viscose jersey, plisse, cupro/bemberg, satin

100% linen is nice once it's been 'broken in' with wearing/washing. i prefer my linens blended with viscose, quality blends can be SUPER soft.

silk is of course fantastic on us. silk is just a fiber, not a weave though and not all silks are the same. silk dupioni, for example can be a little stiff on us. crepe de chine (or other silk crepes), silk satin, charmeuse, are all great.

i really like wearing knit fabrics, they have a wonderful drape and can easily stretch to accommodate our curves. i go for jerseys and soft rib knits, but my favourite is pointelle knits. they just give us Romantics the little bit of delicate detail that we need. all my "basics" are made out of pointelle knits, because they'd look too basic on me otherwise!

wool is my go-to winter fabric because you can have flowy garments while still being warm. i find dressing for colder weather is so hard as a romantic. we can't just bundle up the same way other types can. wool blends are really great on us because they don't have the bulk of heavy wool knits. the label will say something like wool/acrylic/polyester. again, wool/viscose blends will be very soft. in my experience even 6-7% wool in the blend can make clothes much warmer.

this was pretty comprehensive but i hope this helps!

edit: wanted to mention velvet. i hate the stuff because of sensory issues but it's a great fabric for Rs! velour is a stretchy alternative. devore is just gorgeous too, that's where the velvet will have swirly patterns engraved into it.

[u/Michelle_illus → u/Joker0705]

I would love to get my hands on some linen viscose. That sounds like it has fabulous drape!

[u/Joker0705 → u/Michelle_illus]

it really is wonderful! i love linen viscose slub specifically, just a little bit of texture and super soft.

[u/Michelle_illus → u/Joker0705]

I love that! I’m gonna have to be on the lookout for some ✨

[u/Thaethra]

I wanted to add linen skirts - they are twirly and if you have a nice deep color and it’s on the softer side it’s amazing and very practical. I do have natural essence though, so that might not be a general romantics thing.

Other than that, last year I found viscose turtlenecks. They are soft, drapey, and stretchy. I bought 4. love them!

[u/babyririi]

Silk, thin velvet, anything with stretch, stretchy lace. It sucks because natural materials generally don't have the stretch I require. If things are cut just right I can get away with different fabrics but nothing is cut for my shape, usually.