UNDERSTANDING the Different Materials in Trousers: What to Buy and How to Care for Them

Trousers are a wardrobe staple, but the fabric they’re made from can completely change how they look, feel, and last. Whether you're shopping for workwear, smart-casual looks, or everyday essentials, understanding trouser materials will help you choose wisely—and extend their lifespan with proper care.

This comprehensive guide breaks down common trouser fabrics, explains what to look for, and offers practical care tips. Plus, we’ll show you how to get sizing right across over 1,500 brands using Tellar.co.uk, the UK’s leading free sizing tool.

Why Trouser Fabric Matters

The fabric of your trousers affects:

Comfort – Breathability, softness, flexibility.
Fit & Shape – Structure, cling, or drape.
Durability – Resistance to wear, fading, or pilling.
Formality – Whether the trousers suit casual, smart, or formal settings.
Maintenance – Machine-washable vs dry-clean-only.

Understanding these differences is crucial for building a long-lasting, versatile wardrobe.

The Main Trouser Fabrics Explained

1. Cotton

Best for: Chinos, smart-casual trousers, summer wear.

Why choose it:

Cotton is breathable, natural, and soft. It’s one of the most versatile fabrics, commonly used in chinos and lightweight trousers.

Care tips:

Wash inside out at 30°C. Avoid high-heat tumble drying—air-dry instead to prevent shrinkage.

Tellar tip:

Cotton trousers can vary widely in fit depending on the brand. Use Tellar.co.uk's store lookup to get your best size in cotton-based trousers from brands like Massimo Dutti or COS.

2. Linen

Best for: Warm-weather wear, relaxed fits, summer tailoring.

Why choose it:

Linen is light, breathable, and naturally moisture-wicking. It has a relaxed, effortless drape but creases easily.

Care tips:

Hand wash or use a gentle cycle. Iron while damp and avoid high heat.

Brands that do it well:

Reiss – for polished linen trousers.
H&M Conscious – for budget-friendly linen blends.

Sizing insight: Linen blends often run looser. Confirm your best size using Tellar.co.uk.

3. Wool and Wool Blends

Best for: Tailored trousers, officewear, cold-weather smart styles.

Why choose it:

Wool is insulating, structured, and formal. You’ll find it in high-end tailoring and suiting brands.

Care tips:

Always dry clean. Store with cedar to prevent moths.

Recommended brands:

M&S Autograph – for reliable wool trousers.
Hugo Boss – for high-quality suiting options.

Tellar size match: Wool trousers often have minimal stretch—create a profile on Tellar.co.uk to get the correct size across luxury and high street brands.

4. Polyester and Synthetics

Best for: Budget-friendly options, crease-resistant travel wear.

Why choose it:

Synthetics are wrinkle-resistant and durable. Often found in blends to reduce cost or increase stretch.

Drawbacks:

Can feel less breathable. May pill with frequent wear.

Care tips:

Machine wash cold. Avoid fabric softeners—they reduce the life of synthetics.

Notable brands:

Zara – known for poly-blends in stylish cuts.
Uniqlo – blends comfort with easy care.

Smart size-check:

Fit can vary drastically with synthetics. Use Tellar.co.uk to avoid trial-and-error shopping.

5. Denim (Cotton Twill)

Best for: Casualwear, off-duty looks, wide-leg styles.

Why choose it:

Structured, durable, and timeless. Found in denim jeans, cargo trousers, and structured wide-leg fits.

Care tips:

Wash infrequently to retain shape and colour. Cold wash inside out.

Tellar style tip:

High-street denim sizing can be chaotic. Log in to Tellar.co.uk to see how your waist and hip measurements translate across brands like Levi’s, Weekday, and Mango.

6. Viscose and Modal

Best for: Soft draping trousers, smart-casual and occasionwear.

Why choose it:

These regenerated fibres are silky-soft with a luxurious drape. Lightweight and breathable.

Care tips:

Gentle wash. Avoid wringing. Hang dry.

Brands to explore:

& Other Stories – for fashion-forward viscose trousers.
Mango – for elegant high-street styles.

Sizing varies by cut:

Flared, tapered or culottes? Don’t guess—check your Tellar fit.

7. Elastane/Spandex (as part of blends)

Best for: Skinny fit, leggings, trousers that move with you.

Why choose it:

Added for stretch and comfort—usually found as 1–5% of the fabric blend.

Care tips:

Avoid hot washes to preserve elasticity.

Tellar tip:

Even 1% elastane can impact fit. Try Tellar’s matching tool to pinpoint the perfect stretch-fit by brand.

How to Choose the Right Trouser Material for You

Here’s how to decide what to buy:

Purpose	Ideal Fabric	Notes
Smart Workwear	Wool, Wool-blend, Viscose	Look for structured tailoring and crease resistance.
Summer Everyday	Cotton, Linen, Modal	Lightweight and breathable. Go for lighter tones.
Winter Casual	Denim, Wool-blend	Warmer, more durable. Great for layering.
Travel/Commute	Poly-blend, Stretch cotton	Wrinkle-resistant and easy-care.
Trend-led Fashion	Viscose, Linen-blend, Denim	Go with fluidity or edge.

Still unsure? Take the guesswork out by using Tellar.co.uk’s free profile tool to match your measurements with actual sizes across your favourite brands.

Caring for Your Trousers: Fabric-by-Fabric Advice

Fabric	Wash	Dry	Iron
Cotton	30°C	Air dry	Medium heat
Linen	Cold	Flat/hang dry	Damp iron
Wool	Dry clean	Lay flat	Low steam
Polyester	Cold	Tumble low/air	Low heat
Denim	Cold	Air dry	Low heat
Viscose	Gentle cold	Hang dry	Low inside out

Pro tip: Extend the life of all your trousers by storing them on hangers and not over-washing. A fabric shaver can also refresh worn areas on wool or poly blends.

Top Trouser Brands to Explore (High-Street & Designer)

High-Street Picks

Zara – trend-led shapes, especially in synthetics.
Uniqlo – minimal, wearable everyday styles.
Mango – elegant and feminine fits.
H&M – linen and viscose summer trousers.

Premium & Designer Options

Reiss – sleek tailoring in wool or linen blends.
Me+Em – structured trousers designed for modern workwear.
COS – architectural cotton blends, especially for wide-leg silhouettes.
Joseph – luxury materials and polished finishes.

Find all your size equivalents in these brands by building a Tellar.co.uk sizing profile. It’s fast, free and gives you instant access to accurate brand-by-brand size matches.

Why Sizing Varies So Much

Different materials behave differently. For example:

A size 12 cotton trouser might feel tighter than a viscose one.
Stretchy synthetics can accommodate more variation.
Linen can shrink or loosen over time, depending on care.

That’s why you should avoid buying trousers based on size labels alone. Instead, use Tellar.co.uk to match your measurements to how each fabric and brand fits in real life.

Final Tip: Save Time, Avoid Returns

Using Tellar.co.uk:

Takes under 1 minute
Compares your measurements to over 1,500 brands
Shows your true size by brand, style and fabric type
Works across denim, wool, linen, chinos, joggers and more

Create your free profile today:

👉 https://www.tellar.co.uk/create-profile/

Follow Tellar.co.uk for More Fashion Fit Insights

For size hacks, brand-specific advice, and wardrobe tips:

Instagram: @Tellarsizing
Pinterest: TellarSizing
Twitter (X): @Tellar100
Facebook: TellarSizing

Conclusion

When it comes to trousers, fabric is everything. From crisp cotton chinos to draped viscose trousers or tailored wool flares—your choice of material affects comfort, fit, care, and longevity. Understanding the strengths and limitations of each fabric helps you buy better and wear smarter.

And with Tellar.co.uk, you never have to guess your size again. Find your fit instantly, shop confidently, and build a wardrobe that actually works.

“Find your size in 1,500+ brands real-time. It’s free & easy” — Try it today at www.tellar.co.uk