What is cotton poplin fabric?

Cotton poplin is a finely woven cotton fabric with a smooth surface and a crisp hand feel. The fabric is usually made in a plain weave with a subtle crosswise rib, giving it a clean and stable appearance. Because it is lightweight to medium-weight, cotton poplin works well for garments that need shape without becoming heavy.

Cotton poplin is especially relevant for shirts, blouses, dresses and children’s clothing. It has little natural stretch because it is woven, but versions with elastane can offer extra comfort.

Go to Cotton Poplin

Specifications

Construction Weave (plain weave, with fine transverse rib structure)
Composition 95–100% cotton, or 65% cotton / 35% polyester (non-iron variants)
Fabric weight 90–130 g/m²
Stretch Virtually no stretch (woven fabric)
Abbreviations CO = cotton, PES polyester
Appearance Smooth, lightly glossy surface, sleek and streamlined

Properties of the fabric

Cotton poplin is usually woven with fine yarns in a compact plain-weave structure. The surface is smooth and even, which makes it suitable for sharp prints, clean seams and neat garment details. Compared with cotton jersey, cotton poplin is more stable and less stretchy.

The cotton fibre gives the fabric a natural, breathable hand feel. Cotton poplin can crease and shrink, especially during the first wash, so care and pre-washing are important when exact sizing matters. Heavier qualities offer more coverage and structure, while lighter qualities feel cooler and more airy.

Applications

Shirts and Blouses
Dresses and skirts
Workwear and uniforms
Children's clothing and festive clothing
Bed linen (heavier qualities)

Wash instructions

Washable at 40°C. White cotton poplin up to 60°C. Light ironing at medium temperature. Cotton / polyester blend: wrinkle-free or requires little ironing.

Certifications

Available with OEKO-TEX Standard 100. For children’s applications, pay attention to Class I or II.

Practical Tip

Poplin is ideal for prints: the smooth surface gives colours extra brightness and sharpness.

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Written by

Dave Van der Steen Nooteboom Textiles

Posted on

12/05/2026 Last updated on 09/07/2026

What is cotton poplin fabric?

Specifications

Properties of the fabric

Cotton Poplin Unicolour Black

Cotton Poplin Unicolour Optical White

Cotton Poplin yarn dyed Checks Red

Cotton Poplin Unicolour Off White

Cotton Poplin yarn dyed Checks Red

Cotton Poplin Unicolour Optical White

Cotton Poplin yarn dyed Checks Red

Cotton Poplin yarn dyed Checks Mint

Cotton Poplin Unicolour Black

Cotton Poplin yarn dyed Checks Black

Cotton Poplin yarn dyed Checks Camel

Cotton Poplin yarn dyed Checks Mint

Cotton Poplin Unicolour Off White

Cotton Poplin yarn dyed Checks Oker

Cotton Poplin yarn dyed Checks Pink

Applications

Wash instructions

Certifications

Practical Tip

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