The Most Popular Fabrics for Western Shirts & Their Most Common Details



Whether you are in the search for traditional or casual western shirts, the material can play a huge role when it comes to choosing the right one. Except for being different in the quality, different materials are designed for different occasions and period of the year. For instance, no matter how soft and comfy a woollen or thicker denim shirt can look and feel when the temperatures are above 40 degrees of Celsius, you cannot rely on wearing one. If so, you are convicting yourself on real torture, wearing a fabric that will make you even hotter. That is why understanding the most popular fabrics can help you find the right shirt for the right time.

Cotton


Although there are lots of fabrics available on the market, cotton is one of the most favoured and most commonly used types. If we would be asked to describe cotton with one word, this would be comfiness. And the truth is that cotton is one of the most common types of fabric for the production of casual western shirts and in fact, any types of shirt style. The reason for this are many:

  • Comfort – As already mentioned, this is one of the main benefits of wearing a cotton shirt. Cotton is a light, breathable and durable type of fabric, ideal to be worn in any time of the year which in fact is related to its comfiness. On the other hand, cotton is extremely soft, pleasant to touch which is another reason for its comfort.
  • Ease of Maintenance – Cotton can be washed over and over again without showing any signs of aging. The more quality the cotton, the harder it'll show any signs of aging or shrinking. What's more, cotton can withstand extreme heat and hot water which is another reason for its use. Depending on the type of thread, some cotton shirts can show little or no signs of wrinkles, and if any, there is nothing that iron cannot solve.
  • Hypo-allergenic – It has been said that cotton has hypo-allergenic and anti-bacterial properties which make it ideal for those with extremely sensitive skin.

Linen


Another popular type of fabric for western shirts is linen. When compared to cotton, linen thread is usually lighter by diameter than cotton and consequently, linen shirts are lighter than cotton. They can give you that breezy feeling making them ideal for use during the warmer period of the year.

  • Fast Evaporation – Unlike cotton which can trap moisture, linen is a type of fabric that lets water to evaporate much faster. This can aid to the comfort which is especially appropriate for those of you who tend to sweat more.
  • Great Texture – Weaves made of linen thread are smooth and the clothes made of it are incredibly soft to touch. One of the main downsides of linen fabric is that it can wrinkle easily, so if this is something that could bother you, it's best to invest in a cotton shirt.

Denim



Without a doubt, denim shirts are a timeless piece of clothing that was worn by men and women since ever. According to fashion designers, denim shirts are extremely versatile and can be worn almost with everything. You can choose from the classic blue colour or choose in black, red, green, yellow, etc. The benefits of wearing a casual denim shirt of this kind are many:

  • Comfortable – Just like cotton, denim shirts are quite comfortable and can be worn throughout the year.
  • Stylish – Since denim shirts are versatile, you can easily style them with literally everything you want. You can wear it with jeans, black pants, and women can even combine it with a nice dress or skirt.

Except for the more simpler and casual types of western shirts, owning at least one traditional looking western shirt is a must. The thing that makes these shirts to stand out from the more casual and modern western shirts are the details.

  • Western Yoke – Without a doubt, a western yoke is one of the most common element/detail you can find in a western shirt. The yoke of a shirt is the part where the back and front shirt panels are stitched with the shoulder panel. Just like with everything else, there are different design of western yoke and some of them can be more ornamental in design than others.
  • Snaps – Snaps are just another type of traditional western shirt element. These are snap closures down the front pocket and at the shirt's cuffs. Western snaps can come in different designs and shapes like stars, rhinestone-studded diamonds, traditional pearl snap designs, etc.
  • Embroidery – Another popular type of western shirt detail is the element of embroidery. Embroidery is a threaded decoration stitched into the shirt and can come in many styles and colours. Floral designs, hearts, skulls and dice are just some of the many designs of embroidery you can find on western shirts. Usually, this detail can be found above the front and back yokes.