Today’s fashion trend is to have clothing which is not only fashionable and stylish but also functional and so here is where the fabric plays an import role in making clothes look amazing. Hence, we can find fabrics that have dynamic features – they are waterproof, sturdy, they breathe just like skin and most importantly they are eco-friendly. In line with this, the fabric that stands out in today’s fashion world the most is Outer Shell Reflective fabrics.
Outer Shell Reflective fabrics
This is a kind of fabric that is specially designed for outdoor activities. And such fabrics are in high demand in the sports industry because of their high-level performance and comfort that add value to any sport. These outer shell reflective fabrics last longer, they are soft, lightweight and at the same time, they keep the wearer warm in the winters and cool in summers.
Another amazing advantage of reflective fabrics is that they help in keeping the wearer visible while they exercise after dark, and that’s because these fabrics have retroreflective glass beads embedded in them. There are mainly 4 varieties of fabric that are used for outer shell reflective fabrics and they are:
1. Polyester
2. Nylon
3. Chiffon
4. Thin spandex
Features of Outer Shell Reflective fabrics
Colours– Reflective fabrics come in a variety of colours and shades due to which the fashion and the sports industry are inspired to use reflective fabrics in their designs and collections and are augmenting their brand value. Colors can also be customized based on the requirement.
Perforate fabric – Perforated fabric is highly used in fashion and sportswear and this is because these fabrics allow for better air circulation, the fabric is breathable and is very comfortable even when the wearer is sweating.
Patterns – Patterns vary according to sizes and shape, the most happening pattern is the multicolored or the rainbow pattern which appears dark during daytime but in the night it reflects the beautiful spectrum of colors. Patterns for the fabric can be customized or even some patterns such as dots, circles, curves, and cross are available.
Classification of Reflective Fabric
1. Polyester
It is often said that Polyester is the workhorse of sportswear fabrics. This is because polyester is very lightweight, its durable, non-absorbent, wrinkle-free and it also repels UV rays and even insulates when the wearer is sweating. XW Reflective’s polyester fabric is excellent for using as reflective fabric for outdoor clothes because it holds on to its shape even after it is washed and it is also easy to use for digital printing which makes it easy to design patterns on the fabric to make it glow in the dark.
XW Reflective Polyester Fabric Details
Material – It is lightweight breathable and economic viability.
Backing fabric – 100% Polyester
Attachment – Sew on the fabric
Application – It is recommended for lightweight to medium weight fabrics like Vests.
Day time Colour – Grey
Certification – Meets the standard of ANSI/ISEA107 -American National Standard for High-Visibility Safety Apparel and Accessories
Care and Wash – Suitable for domestic washing and industrial laundry.
2. Chiffon
Chiffon is a lightweight fabric which is smoother, lustrous and also transparent in appearance. The shimmer on the chiffon fabric makes it look very appealing, however, since this fabric is slippery it becomes very difficult to work with and so it is worked upon on a slow and steady pace. XW Reflective chiffon fabric is exquisite because of its criss-cross pattern which gives a semi-mesh like an effect and makes the fabric breathable. It is also easy to colour the fabric in any colors and shades. Though the chiffon fabric is lightweight it has considerable strength and is sturdy.
XW Reflective Chiffon Fabric Details
Material – It is light weight, soft draping, and wrinkle resistant.
Backing fabric – 100% Polyester Chiffon
Attachment – Sew on the fabric
Application – It is recommended for the production of sportswear, casual outdoor clothing and jacket shell.
Day time Colour – Silver Grey
Certification – Meets the standard of ANSI/ISEA107 -American National Standard for High-Visibility Safety Apparel and Accessories
Care and Wash – Suitable for domestic washing, however, extra care must be taken and the duration for the wash must be kept short.
3. Nylon
Nylon fabric is smooth and are long-lasting due to which it is durable. It absorbs moisture and is mild dew resistant which makes the sweat from the wearer’s skin to evaporate from the surface of the material. The fabric is not best for digital printing especially in saturated colors because it is very difficult for the fabric to absorb dye colours. XW Reflective nylon fabric is the best choice for reflective fabric because it is highly visible, strong and abrasion resistant at the same time it has tremendous stretching and recovery effect.
XW Reflective Nylon Fabric Details –
Material – It is silky smooth and ultra soft
Backing fabric – 100% Nylon Taffeta
Attachment – Sew on the light weight fabric
Application – It is recommended for the production of fashion clothing, sportswear, casual outdoor clothing and jacket shell.
Day time Colour – Silver Grey
Certification – Meets the standard of ANSI/ISEA107 -American National Standard for High-Visibility Safety Apparel and Accessories
Care and Wash – Suitable for the domestic wash with 40°C, however, no bleach must be used and no dry clean. Can be ironed at 110°C.
4. Thin Spandex
Spandex is also known as elastane which is a type of elastomeric fiber which is mostly used in sportswear as it can help in improving blood circulation and reduce uric acid in the body. This fabric can also stretch more than 500 to 600 percent without suffering tears and it can snap back to its original size. It is also resistant to UV rays, saltwater, chlorine, and color fading. XW Reflective is a great reflective fabric for outdoor clothes as it is comfortable allowing the body to move and is the choicest fabric that adorns the body of the heroes in the sporting world.
XW Reflective Thin Spandex Fabric Details
Material – It is ultra-thin, has a Silk shine, anti-bacterial, and has good elasticity, wicks moisture and dries quickly.
Backing fabric – 86% polyester and 14% spandex
Attachment – Sew on the lightweight fabric
Application – It is recommended for clothes where elasticity is desired like outdoor clothes for skaters, dancewear, gymnasts, and swimmers.
Day time color – Silver
Certification – Meets the standard of ANSI/ISEA107 -American National Standard for High-Visibility Safety Apparel and Accessories
Care and Wash – Suitable for the domestic wash with 40°C, however, no bleach must be used and no dry clean. Can be ironed at 110°C.
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