Gabardine

A firm, durable woven fabric with a distinctive diagonal rib structure, known for its formal look, wrinkle resistance and suitability for trousers, suits, coats and uniforms.

Specifications

Construction Woven fabric, twill structure with visible diagonal ribs
Composition 100% wool, 100% polyester, or wool/polyester blend
Fabric weight Medium to heavy: 200–350 g/m²StretchNo stretch, woven fabric
Abbreviations WO = wool, PES = polyester
Appearance Sleek, formal, visible diagonal rib structure

What is gabardine?

Gabardine is a firm, tightly woven fabric with a characteristic diagonal rib pattern, also known as a twill structure. The name was registered in 1879 by Thomas Burberry, who used the fabric for his iconic raincoat. Gabardine is timeless, wrinkle-resistant and has an elegant appearance. It is one of the most searched-for fabrics in the Ahrefs data, with more than 23,000 monthly searches.

Applications

Suit trousers and suits
Jackets and coats
Skirts, such as A-line skirts and straight skirts
Uniforms and workwear
Raincoats, with coating

Care Instructions

Wool gabardine: dry cleaning recommended, or hand wash at 30°C using a wool programme. Polyester gabardine: washable at 40°C. Iron at medium temperature using a steam iron.

Certifications

Wool gabardine may be available with RWS, Responsible Wool Standard, or Mulesing-Free certification. Polyester variants may be available with OEKO-TEX Standard 100.

Practical Tip

Gabardine has a front and back side that can look similar, but the diagonal ribs run in a specific direction. Pay attention to the direction when laying out the pattern pieces for a consistent final result.

Do you have a specific question about Gabardine or an application?
Our AI assistant will help you immediately.

Ask a question

Back

posted on
19/05/2026