Quality Materials
A detailed look at a few of
our meticulously designed fabrics.
Terry clothA versatile fabric with a textured surface of soft and absorbent loops, terry became popular in the early 20th century for its many warm-weather applications. From pop-culture notoriety (see the classic poolside look worn by Sean Connery as James Bond in the 1964 classic Goldfinger) to weekend hangouts, terry is ideal for summer. Just think of it as a (more) wearable version of your favorite towel.
Italian chinoFor warm-weather occasions, an Italian chino suit is both sharp and comfortable. Our Italian cotton chino comes from Duca Visconti di Modrone, a renowned mill in northern Italy that’s been producing high-quality fabrics since 1838. Finely crafted with a tight, even structure and distinct twill weave, Italian chino’s subtle but distinct diagonal pattern is created by weaving the fabric in an over-under pattern. This process adds depth and subtle texture to the fabric, and makes it smoother so it’s less prone to snagging or pilling.
ECONYL® nylonECONYL® is a 100 percent regenerated fiber spun from nylon waste, including discarded fishing nets. This innovative yarn sets the standard for sustainability, offering the same quality as virgin nylon while also being infinitely recyclable. Every 10,000 tons of ECONYL® produced saves 70,000 barrels of crude oil and avoids 65,100 tons of CO2 emissions. We use ECONYL® yarn in our own lightweight swimsuit fabric that also boasts UPF 50 protection, blocking 98 percent of the sun’s damaging UVA and UVB rays.
Irish linenMade from the fibers of flax plants, linen is naturally breathable, strong and cool to the touch. The fabric’s origins date back at least to ancient Egypt, where it was used for everything from clothing to currency to sailcloth. It has been prized throughout the centuries for its durability and versatility. Our linen comes from Baird McNutt, an Irish mill founded in 1912 by the McNutt family of West Donegal, known for producing the world’s finest linen.
Secret Wash
cotton poplinSince we introduced the Secret Wash shirt in 2005, our designers have been fine-tuning this deceptively simple wardrobe staple. We weave each shirt with 100 percent premium 100s two-ply cotton yarns, similar to what you’ll find in many higher-end dress shirts. (“100s” refers to a finer yarn size, and “two-ply” means two yarns are twisted together to make a single thread.) The result is smoother, stronger fabric that’s made even more comfortable through our proprietary multistep 60-minute wash process. This everyday, every-way fabric works as well with a suit as it does denim and chinos. Fun fact: The word “poplin” can be traced back to the 14th century, derived from the French word papeline, meaning “worsted cloth of fine silk.” It came into common usage in southeastern France, a center of silk production at the time.
cotton poplinSince we introduced the Secret Wash shirt in 2005, our designers have been fine-tuning this deceptively simple wardrobe staple. We weave each shirt with 100 percent premium 100s two-ply cotton yarns, similar to what you’ll find in many higher-end dress shirts. (“100s” refers to a finer yarn size, and “two-ply” means two yarns are twisted together to make a single thread.) The result is smoother, stronger fabric that’s made even more comfortable through our proprietary multistep 60-minute wash process. This everyday, every-way fabric works as well with a suit as it does denim and chinos. Fun fact: The word “poplin” can be traced back to the 14th century, derived from the French word papeline, meaning “worsted cloth of fine silk.” It came into common usage in southeastern France, a center of silk production at the time.
TechWe design this high-performance fabric to keep you cool, dry and comfortable—no matter what you’re doing. Built with a stretch nylon blend, our tech fabric moves with you at the office, during your commute and out on the links. (And if you don’t have time to change before dinner, you’ll still look totally presentable.)
Premium-weight
cotton jerseyFor our relaxed-fit tees, we use heavyweight, open-ended 7.4-ounce cotton that’s more durable and gutsy than a standard T-shirt. It has a dry handfeel and decent structure that won’t cling to you. Inspired by heritage styles from the ’90s, this sturdy fabric is built to last and will only get better the more you wash and wear it.
cotton jerseyFor our relaxed-fit tees, we use heavyweight, open-ended 7.4-ounce cotton that’s more durable and gutsy than a standard T-shirt. It has a dry handfeel and decent structure that won’t cling to you. Inspired by heritage styles from the ’90s, this sturdy fabric is built to last and will only get better the more you wash and wear it.
CashmereWhen it comes to quality and color, no one does cashmere quite like we do. Our best-selling sweaters are the result of over 30 years of expertise, obsessing over fit, durability and handfeel. They’re soft and warm, while still being lightweight, which means they’re perfect to layer or to wear on their own. We’re proud to support responsible cashmere production through our partnership with the Aid by Trade Foundation (AbTF), a nonprofit that promotes sustainable agricultural development across the globe. As the foundation’s first U.S. member, we source cashmere that is certified to the AbTF’s The Good Cashmere Standard®, which ensures the welfare of the cashmere goats, protects natural resources and improves the working conditions of farmers and farmworkers in Inner Mongolia.
Heritage 14 oz. fleeceAs anyone who’s lost a favorite hoodie will tell you, not all sweatshirts are made equal. Our new hard-wearing, heavier-weight, varsity-inspired sweats are cut on the cross grain (an old-school method that helps minimize shrinkage). We use a substantial 14-ounce cotton-polyester blend that’s brushed on the inside for softness and built to withstand daily wear. In short, this is everything you want your sweats to be: durable, comfortable, made to last—and made to keep.
Broken-in chinoWe’re reintroducing the Giant-fit chino, a silhouette pulled from our vintage catalog archives. This revamped version uses midweight 8.5-ounce 100 percent cotton twill that’s stone and enzyme washed, resulting in a finish that’s just soft enough to feel lived in right from the first wear. By buying cotton products from J.Crew, you’re supporting more responsibly grown cotton through the Better Cotton Initiative (BCI), a not-for-profit organization that aims to make global cotton production better for the people who produce it, the environment where it grows and the future of the industry.
C0 water repellencyYour outerwear is only as good as its outermost layer. Our new Franconia parka boasts a rugged cotton-nylon exterior that stands up to the worst winter weather, shedding showers, flurries, sleet and more thanks to its durable water-repellent (DWR) finish. This prevents moisture from saturating the fabric, which would result in a heavy, ineffective garment. All of our outerwear uses C0 DWR, which means it’s free of fluorocarbons and PFCs that harm the environment. This is the same DWR finish used throughout the outdoor industry in high-performance gear.
Scottish lambswoolFrom the damp moors to the Highlands to the North Sea, Scotland knows a thing or two about keeping warm. We turned to the experts for these fine Scottish lambswool yarns, legendary for their handfeel and superior quality. While wool might make you think of thick, scratchy sweaters, Scottish lambswool more closely resembles cashmere in its softness. The yarns retain the durability of wool, so it’s fair to say that our new sweaters combine the best of both worlds.
Italian cotton moleskinThis soft, luxurious and rare Sea Island cotton moleskin is woven for us by Italy’s Duca Visconti di Modrone (est. 1838). Sea Island cotton (Gossypium barbadense) is considered the world’s best, and comes only from the West Indies where the climate supports its growth. To preserve its long fibers, this cotton is picked by hand and processed using traditional methods. The result is strong, luxurious fabric with a silklike handfeel. All Sea Island cotton is inspected and certified by the West Indian Sea Island Cotton Association.
Camel hairThough this material has been used throughout history, camel-hair coats as we know them became popular in the 1920s and ’30s when they were worn by polo players to keep warm between matches. (The originals were secured only by a belt—no buttons.) Fans and college students adopted the style, which quickly became a staple on Ivy League campuses. Camel hair comes from the animal’s undercoat, so it’s soft, fine and highly insulative (the outer guard hair is extremely coarse and rarely used for clothing). Our camel hair is woven by Tollegno 1900 (established 1862 in Biella, Italy), which is one of the country’s last mills to still spin its own yarns, a process they’ve been perfecting for over 150 years.
Italian suedeWe sourced our suede from Conceria Zabri, an Italian tannery founded in 1971 that’s still family owned and operated. Suede comes from the inner-facing part of the hide, which makes it soft and velvety (leather is the outer-facing side). This particular suede is split hide, which creates a supple, pliable feel that lends itself well to clothing. Fun fact: The word “suede” comes from the French gants de Suède, which means “gloves from Sweden.”
Midweight flannelThe first sign of fall isn’t changing leaves or cooler temps—it’s the return of flannel workshirts. Ours are based on vintage workwear and made with soft six-ounce cotton that’s brushed on both sides. The majority of the cotton we use is fully traceable to farms that are certified to the standards of Regenagri®, a regenerative agricultural program devoted to encouraging biodiversity, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and securing the health of the land and the people who live and work there.
VelvetKnown for its plush feel and luxurious appearance, velvet’s history dates back to at least the eighth century. The original weaving process was complicated and expensive, making the fabric accessible primarily to nobility. Today, velvet is widely used in applications ranging from home decor to clothing—including our Ludlow tuxedo jackets. These holiday-ready velvet jackets dress up or down, and are crafted with a shawl collar (the tuxedo’s original design).
Brushed Portuguese cottonPortugal’s Somelos mill (est. 1958) specializes in lightweight fabrics with a focus on quality and craftsmanship—and this soft brushed cotton is no exception. In patterns inspired by vintage madras shirts, this fabric is less heavy than traditional flannel. While flannel is brushed on both sides, this cotton is brushed only on the exterior, which gives it a lighter feel that’s ideal for transitioning into fall.
Harris Tweed® clothThis substantial wool comes to us from Scotland’s famed Harris Tweed mill (est. 1910). Pure virgin wool is washed, dyed and blended before it’s spun into yarns. Once the yarns are prepared, they’re sent to weavers who live in the Outer Hebrides islands; the handweaving process happens on treadle looms in their homes rather than at a mill. Harris Tweed cloth is known for its rich character, and is the only fabric in the world governed by an Act of Parliament.
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