What fabric weight tells you about a garment

Short answer: Fabric weight is given in grams per square meter and tells you how much material is in the fabric. It is the best single indicator of how a piece will behave.

What the number means

Fabric weight is measured in grams per square meter and shows how much material is packed into each area of the fabric. A higher number means more material per area, which gives a heavier fabric that drapes more and is less see-through. See bamboo underwear for men.

Why it is a good indicator

Fabric weight tells you something about the feel against the skin, the drape of the fabric, and how see-through it is, all in a single number. That makes it a quick place to start when judging how an unfamiliar piece of clothing will likely feel.

Light versus heavy

A light fabric is usually cooler to wear and works well as a layer under other clothing. A heavier fabric, by contrast, drapes better and holds its shape better over the course of a day. Neither is better than the other, they simply suit different purposes.

When you want light

Light fabrics suit warm weather or wearing close to the body under other layers, because they trap less heat and feel less warm against the skin over longer stretches of time.

When you want heavy

Heavier fabrics suit pieces meant to be worn alone and shown on the outside, because they drape more nicely and hold a shape that light fabrics cannot manage.

See-through fabric

Light colors at a low fabric weight are often see-through, simply because there is less material to block light. Hold a hand behind the fabric in daylight before buying, to see whether the outline shows through. See bamboo underwear for women.

Durability

A heavier fabric has more material to wear away before it thins out, and so typically lasts longer, if everything else about the fabric and how it is used is roughly the same between the two pieces you are comparing.

The weight changes over time

A piece that pills loses surface fibers over time and so gradually becomes lighter than when it was new. Wash the fabric inside out to slow down that process as much as possible. See washing and care.

How to use this in practice

Look for the fabric weight in the product description, and use it to picture how the piece will drape and feel before you order. It is often a better guide than pictures alone, especially when buying a brand you do not already know.

Frequently asked questions

What does grams per square meter mean?

It shows how much material is in the fabric per area. A higher number means a heavier fabric, one that drapes more and is less see-through.

Is a heavier fabric better than a light one?

Not better, just different. Heavy fabric drapes more nicely and holds its shape, while light fabric is cooler and works better as a layer under other clothing.