If you’re wondering what crepe fabric is amongst all the amazing cloth choices we have in the fashion industry, you will be amazed by its versatility and variety.
What is crepe fabric, and is it a popular textile being used worldwide? In this article, I will run through some frequently asked questions, so that you can find out if crepe is the best fabric for you!
What is Crepe Fabric?
The first time you have heard the word “crepe” was probably at a French cafe or restaurant. You may be thinking about the popular pancake snack. However, this time we are not talking about food, but something equally fine, delicate, and loved by many.
Crepe fabric is a crimped fabric that features a distinct texture filled with bumps and wrinkles. Despite the description in words, it’s a highly regarded fabric in fashion. It is well-known for its easy and beautiful drape. You can find this cloth from couture to everyday wear, to the furnishings in your house and kitchen.
Crepe fabric was traditionally made from natural fibers such as silk and wool. However, synthetic versions of the cloth have already been formulated and entered widespread use. Today, it comes in many colors, styles, and weights, but its understated crinkled beauty is still the same throughout its variations over the years, all over the globe.
Crepe Fabric History
Like most discoveries, no one is quite sure when and where crepe fabric was first invented and used. However, crepe has been found to be present in many different cultures, from the East to the West.
In recorded history, crepe is significantly used in mourning clothes. In the British Victorian Era, black mourning clothes would incorporate crepe in their layered designs. Its matte style, which featured no shine and made deep blacks seem even deeper, made it a perfect choice for the events. Back then they haven’t perfected the crepe fabric for the wearer’s comfort, so there was a tendency for the clothes to itch, weigh the wearer down, and get damaged by even just a little water!
How is Crepe Fabric Made?
Crepe fabric can be either natural or synthetic. The earliest traditional crepe styles were fashioned from silk. Today, you can make the fabric out of a variety of fibers.
First, the chosen fibers go through the process of being turned into crepe yarn. This is a hard-twist yarn that, as the name suggests, is twisted in various directions by using “S” and “Z” twists. These twists can be mechanically done to provide a strong, long-lasting effect on the fabric – much better than human strength could accomplish.
Another variation is described as removing some of the interlacings of the cloth’s warp (the lengthwise yarns in woven fabric) to achieve the uneven surface of the end product. All these methods result in the intended crimped look.
With the production of the woven fabric, the piece is free to be treated and dyed for its final look before being sold or turned into clothing.
What are the Characteristics of Crepe Fabric?
Crepe looks like a very special fabric with a texture that can only be used in certain settings – or is it? Here we discuss the characteristics of a crepe fabric that make it ideal for a wide variety of projects and designs.
Drapability
Drapability is defined by ScienceDirect as the ability of a fabric to conform to a mold. It is also defined as the way the textile hangs on a model or human body. Draping is a technique that helps achieve beautiful designs and figures in clothing. Crepe fabric is a fabulous choice for draped clothing or accessories.
Matte Surface
Despite having originally derived from silk, crepe fabric does not maintain silk’s typical shine. However, this matte color made colors deeper and was a desired effect by many fashion designers and consumers.
Breathability
Modern crepe fabrics come in many weights and thicknesses, but they were first well-known as a thin, delicate fabric that is easy to move in and highly breathable. Because of this, it is also a popular fabric for warm climates. Many more styles and methods are being made so sweat won’t bleed through the fabric by accident.
Where is Crepe Fabric Produced?
The biggest producers of crepe fabric are China and Australia. China is known to be the largest exporter of synthetic textiles. As for crepe fabric, they specialize in producing silk and synthetic-based variants. On the other hand, Australia, known for its wool production, specializes in producing wool-based variants.
How is Crepe Fabric Used?
Crepe fabric is commonly used in dresses, both in eveningwear and summerwear. In history it’s been known as a fabric of mourning.
Another area where crepe fabric shines is in accessories. Wraps, scarves, and shawls offer some warmth that is not too heavy. Interior design accessories like curtains and living room pillows also use the fabric.
What Different Types of Crepe Fabric are There?
There is a staggering number of varieties of crepe fabric, but here are the most prominent and popular styles.
- Wool Crepe – a wool-based crepe that has a bulkier and rougher surface
- Crepe Georgette – silk or synthetic silk-based crepe with a stretchy characteristic used for dresses
- Crepe Charmeuse – a silk-based crepe that uses crepe twist yarn in the satin weave technique
- Polyester Crepe – a synthetic-based crepe that is lightweight and cheaper, usually used in everyday clothing.
- Crepe-back satin – a satin-based crepe that is dual surfaced: one smooth and the reverse crimped
- Crepe de Chine – a silk-based crepe from China that uses hard twisted yarns
- Canton Crepe – a silk-based crepe from China’s Canton province, heavier than Crepe de Chine
- Aerophane – a lightweight crepe fabric that almost feels and looks like gauze. It is no longer in production
- Plisse Crepe – a crepe fabric that uses chemical treatments to achieve the crimped finish
- Baute Satin – a crepe fabric that is warp woven with a reversed plain crepe design
- Crepon – a heavy crepe with exaggerated texture
- Crepe Anglaise – a crepe fabric typically black and white in color, used in England
There are many more styles and methods being developed to this day.
How Does Crepe Fabric Impact the Environment?
From a production standpoint, because typical crepe fabric is produced from silk and wool, crepe is usually thought of as environmentally friendly. Fabrics that are derived from natural fibers can be considered okay for the environment, as these are renewable resources.
However, there are various crepe fabric variants that are made out of synthetic fibers. This includes polyester, which is a petroleum-based product. Petroleum fabrics emit greenhouse gases, which negatively impact the ozone layer. The study of global warming has already noted the role of the textile industry in this matter.
Aside from the building blocks or ingredients of crepe fabric, another concern should be the production of the textile. Textile production uses a lot of water. Dye and chemical treatments have a chance of harming the workers if not used properly and harming the environment if it is not disposed of in a regulated manner.
How Much Does Crepe Fabric Cost?
As a buyer, the price depends on the fibers used in the final crepe fabric. Natural fibers like silk and wool are pricier than the synthetic option. This is true for many other fabric types.
You also have to consider the dyes and treatments that you want your fabric to have. If you desire certain colors and additives in your cloth, expect to pay more.
Is Crepe Fabric Like Cotton?
Crepe fabric can be made from cotton and can deliver some of the same characteristics of cotton, as well. Of course, the main difference will be the pebbly texture on the surface of the cloth, achieved in its weave. Its similarities with cotton are its lightweight design and good breathability.
Is Crepe Fabric Good for Summer?
Crepe fabric is an excellent choice for the summer season. It is also a popular clothing choice for countries that tend to have a warmer climate. It has characteristics like its breathability and light moisture-wicking ability that will make its wearers cool and comfortable in warm situations.
How Does Crepe Fabric Feel?
Crepe fabric is popular because of its comfortable and lightweight feel on the body. It feels like light, delicate gauze covering the body.
Because of the variety of crepe fabric, it’s difficult to pin the feel down to one description. There are times when fresh crepe fabric can feel itchy, especially wool-based crepes, but through typical wear, the long-lasting fabric will feel good on your body.
Is Crepe Fabric Stretchy?
Certain crepe fabrics are stretchable. Silk and wool crepes typically don’t have a notable stretchability. Crepe does tend to conform and drape over a body very well.
However, there are variants, usually made from synthetic materials, that have achieved a stretch. Georgette fabric is one of the stretchier types.
Is Crepe Breathable?
Typical crepe fabric is very light and breathable. You won’t have a problem moving around in a dress or blouse made in crepe. However, crepe fabric is very delicate too, so despite its cool nature don’t expect to go on a run or workout in a crepe outfit.
How Do You Care for Crepe Fabric?
Caring for crepe fabric includes choosing a delicate laundry detergent and rinsing the cloth thoroughly to remove all residue. When drying the cloth, use the air-dry technique as you don’t need to iron the textured surface. However, if you do need to iron it to remove deeper accidental creases, be careful and don’t make the iron too hot.
How Much Does Crepe Fabric Cost?
As a consumer, we have to be aware that a lot of what goes into the price of our clothes includes labor fees, material fees, and even storage and marketing fees.
That said, you will find that the most expensive crepe fabric dresses are the ones made from 100% pure silk.
What is the Impact of Crepe Fabric on the Environment?
From the consumer standpoint, crepe fabric is sustainable, but a non-vegan option. When taken care of, crepe fabric is very durable and can last a very long time. This means that it doesn’t end up in landfills and trash like most cheaply made fabrics.
Conclusion
Crepe fabric is a widely used and widely loved textile in the fashion and interior design industries. It has characteristics that make it ideal for flowy, delicate, and feminine clothing and accessories, but new modern variants prove it could be a fabric that you can wear anywhere, anytime.
