Do you have a favourite texture? - YouLookFab Forum

Category

General

Welcome! Read about what to wear and how to wear it on the YLF Blog. Join the YLF Forum to ask specific questions or just chat about fashion and personal style. Or check out the curated list of things we love in YLF Finds.

Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

Do you have a favourite texture?

Runcarla

Veteran

And is it represented in your closet? I’m hoping to add more textural interest to my outfits - a 2022 goal, since I feel like a lot of my garments have ‘neutral’ textures. My favourite is brocade - but it’s uncommon (IMO) outside of occasion wear.

How aware of texture are you when shopping? Do you seek it out, or is it accidental? Do you have a favourite or ‘signature’ texture?

General

37 replies

Latest reply was from Angie

Vildy

Veteran

I won't buy unless it is pleasing to my hand, which complicates things a bit when buying online. Mostly I'm looking for soft and slightly plush. Can be corduroy, chenille, suede, cashmere. Of course, all that out the window in hot, steamy weather.:D

Irina

Veteran

Adding textures is one of my 2022 goals, too. I’m not good with it. For winter, I’ve been looking for a mixed mohair sweater forever. Mohair is one of the textures I like, corduroy is another one. But I couldn’t find it, either. Sherpa works but very limited since I don’t like to wear synthetics.. It seems I’m able to add more textures in accessories like suede shoes, faux snake bag, pebble leather bags. I would not mind something in paten leather.

nemosmom

Veteran

I like them all! LOL! I shy away from pattern, and I find myself gravitating toward more texture and actively seeking it out.

Corduroy, tweed, quilting, rib-knit, cableknit, boiled wool, velvet, and suede are in steady rotation in my closet.

I even consider linen, cashmere, and satin/silk to lean more textural than say, a jersey or poplin.

Synne

Veteran

Brocade.. intriguing! I love shaggy fur and suede, those iconic 70s coats is a great example. I crave something rugged and coarse, maybe because the contrast gives the illusion I am more smooth and willowy:-D

Anonymous

Velvet would be my number one favourite - in home decor especially - but it’s definitely seasonal for clothing . I was just ruminating on how little true holiday merchandise was in stores this season- even at former standbys like BR where you could be sure to find a holiday collection including some velvet/ velveteen . Not this year . Anyways , I love textured coat in winter - and like Irina , I go for mohair /cashmere blends . For spring and summer texture takes a total back seat .

lozz_oz

Veteran

Great question!
I’m aware of the feel of fabrics when shopping (sewists tend to be like that). I’m quick to eliminate all the nasty plasticky textures, and gravitate towards the luxe cashmere, silk, crisp poplin cottons, velour etc.
I’m thinking of adding some cotton rich velvet straight leg pants to my winter wardrobe next year....
Oh, and I do like a patent leather brogue or lace up shoe!

Kate

Veteran

Velvet, brocade, boiled wool, nubby wools, shaker stitch knits, and wool mixed with mohair. I have to be careful with the last, since mohair often makes my skin itch, especially around the neck.

Kate

Veteran

Also suede, and when it comes to shoes and bags, patent leather and patterned leather, like imitation crocodile, and faux fur.

SarahD8

Veteran

C*A*B*L*E K*N*I*T!!!

But not the preppy kind of all-over narrow cable knit. No -- it has to be substantial, maybe a bit varied. But not overly bulky, and still soft.

No popcorn knit though! Too much like polka-dots!

Anonymous

Team all of them- as long as they lay flat and aren't bulky. Today I had a cable knit sweater, pleather pants, suede booties, and wool coat. Love velvet, lace, brocade, silk, satin, faux fur, textured leather, etc, etc too!

Sloper

Veteran

I love fabric/clothing texture - any kind! Especially contrasts - silk and tweed, chunky knits and denim, etc. Maybe velvet is my ultra favorite, but in small doses.

cat2

Veteran

I love interesting knit-in patterns in sweaters, like cabling. My current favorites are from Amour Vert.

rachylou

Veteran

I do like soft knits—cables and popcorn, not so much ribbing. I also like fuzzy— sherpa, mohair, et al. I suppose I’m not that fond of smooth…

Bijou

Veteran

Faux fur, tweed, brocade and velvet for winter.

Lace and chiffon for summer, with cotton lacy dresses featuring prominently in my summer wardrobe.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I have been paying more attention to this too lately. I tend to like rougher textures, but also like smooth leather and silk. So no one favorite for me.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I don't pay enough attention to this. I won't buy something I don't like the feel of, but I don't vary textures enough in my outfits, I think. Anyway -- some I like include velvet, silk, brocade, crisp cottons, a substantial cotton gauze, linen, denim. I like leather, too. In footwear I like a nubuck or suede or patent for a change.

nemosmom

Veteran

.

Brooklyn

Veteran

Velvet and brocade are my favourites. Brocade is so hard to find. Maybe you should consider making yourself a brocade waistcoat?

You read my mind Carla because I’ve been thinking about how much harder it is to add texture to an outfit in summer. I rely a lot on accessories. Straw, rope and cork on shoes and bags. Textured jewellery - leather, filigree. Whipstitching, beads, studs and buttons can add some nice texture too.

Jessikams

(website)

Veteran

I am a texture lover. I feel it looks good on me because my hair is textured wavy, and face textured freckles. So it’s all cohesive. I love brocade too and wish it was more widely available!

ophelia

Veteran

What an interesting question! Eyelet, lace, crochet, voile...it’s almost always hot here so they work well with the climate. Love cotton cable knit sweaters for the rare cool days.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Soft knitwear especially mohair, faux fur was one but I have gone off it. Filmy texture like chiffon. Lace.

Zaeobi

(website)

Veteran

Like @Irina, I like texture but haven't incorporated much into my wardrobe yet. I prefer smooth, shiny & soft fabrics (like velvet, patent leather & faux fur). I have sensitive skin though so, as much as I love it, I unfortunately can only do brocade in outerwear (not touching my skin).

Also like @Irina, my HEWI is a fluffy cream jumper - but a non-itchy, cropped one with balloon sleeves. Is real angora or mohair itchy? Cable knit could work too, if it's more of a rounded/ curved shape, but that's rare (I usually see vertical cable knits instead).

I like the visual interest that rough textures (like linen, wool & denim) add, but they tend to look more 'rumpled' than 'effortlessly casual' on me. Better for home decor

RoseandJoan

Veteran

Oh yes, I am definitely drawn to certain textures, I really enjoy simple cuts in bouclé fabric, cord trousers and slub jersey for casual pieces.

I have always had a liking for mock croc in leather goods too.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I enjoy a variety of textures but I really seem to favor ones that are smooth. I love leather and suede most. I love silk as well. Smooth, crisp cotton is appealing to me but I don’t love ironing so I don’t have a lot of truly crisp cotton.

Flannel, corduroy, woolen textures…all appeal to me. I can’t do mohair or any really fuzzy knits — somehow those make me itch. I’m quite picky about knit textures because some feel annoying or scratchy once they’re on my body, even if they feel soft to the touch when you simply lay your hand on them. I have to try them on to be sure. I’m not as fond of cabled or ribbed knits but that is mainly because they add bulk or emphasize things I’d rather not emphasize.

I do still enjoy the short faux animal fur texture on shoes and bags — remember how it was called “pony” years back? My Stella McCartney bag has a bit of that feel and I really like it.

Varying texture becomes much more difficult in summer. I’m not a huge linen fan because of the creases, and because it doesn’t typically come in cuts that I enjoy on myself.

View Info

Helena

Veteran

What a great question, and one I'd like to lay more attention to going forward, as I feel recommitted to neutrals lately ... I really overlook this element tbh, although when I see something I like, I instinctively touch it to make sure it feels soft on the skin (sensitive skin/eczema sufferer here). I suppose I like smooth and crisp best ... Cottons, linens, satin or velvet for a dressier vibe. I like lace that's a bit thicker (??) I.e. not the gauzy lace that can itch. I am ambivalent about chunky items ... I like them IF they still look smooth and neat, but I don't like anything that looks like it should be brushed haha ... I guess any texture that reads as neat and doesn't itch is fine by me? Thinking as I type if you can't tell!!

slim cat

Veteran

Soft and smooth on the skin ( too sensitive - like @Helena said ) - in natural fabrication ( silk, cotton, viscose, linen/cotton mix ). Accessories are a different thing - such as bags and shoes could have fun elements
( faux fur, suede, etc ).
I like the idea of black winter outfit with different textures - shiny satin jacket with black velvet pants and beaded bag for special occasion -
if I can only find pants that work for me ( old ones are gone and terribly missed this season ).

JAileen

Veteran

Hmmmm…I’ve ordered a textured tweed coat. The coat in #1 is on it’s way. I had #2 but the cut was just absurd looking on me. However, the texture was amazing. I was originally attracted to the color and pattern, but then loved the texture.

#1
https://www.macys.com/shop/pro.....at?ID=1233

#2
https://www.macys.com/shop/pro.....tweed-coat

This post has 2 photos. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

kkards

Veteran

I love patent leather, not sure if that’s texture or something else. I love fine textured wool, boiled wool and heavy gauged and thick ply wool sweaters.

Style Fan

Veteran

I love feeling fabrics. My favourites are suede, leather and velvet. The practical side of me says go for denim.

12