Every season, we go to great lengths trying to unearth interesting new fabrics with great textural qualities and the provenance to match. Silhouette and cut are really important of course, but a dull fabric makes a dull garment, no matter the skill of the cutter. That's why our creative process at Oliver Spencer always starts with fabric considerations.
Spring 22 - New beginnings, new textures
This season, we were able to source some cloths that really ticked all the boxes for us - texturally unique, tactile and looked like nothing else out there. They were also good to work with which is always useful (some fabrics look great to the eye but then start shaping them into patterns and they take on a completely different character). Spring jersey is a unique proposition because you want a fabric that is substantial enough to keep you warm on chilly days, but at the same time one you can wear comfortably throughout the summer months.
Morval Organic Soft Waffle-Knitted Cotton
First up is the Morval fabric, constructed from a soft waffle-knitted organic cotton fibre that has what you might describe as an exaggerated seersucker effect. We've used it to create Oli's tees, our Riviera short-sleeved shirts and our Tabley polo shirts too. It's a mid-weight cloth so it feels fairly substantial on, and is such an easy and elegant way to add texture to a summer look, say with chino shorts or a pair of our judo trousers.
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Oli's T-Shirt |
Tabley Polo Shirt |
Riviera Short Sleeve Jersey |
Rycroft Organic Cotton Textured Knit
The Rycroft is another supremely soft and spongy organic cotton that has been constructed with a tactile textural knit. If it feels cushioned, it's because it's technically two layers of jersey knitted together. The overall effect is a warmer fabric, hence why we've used it to create our super comfy Walsham hoodies and Robin sweatshirts.
Walsham Hoodie |
Robin Sweatshirt |
Walsham Hoodie |
Lulworth Organic Cotton Corduroy Terry Cloth
This one's flying over from leftfield but it's already one of our seasonal favourites. There can't be many who have combined the soft rich pile of terry towelling cloth with the vertical wales of corduroy but the Lulworth is exactly that. With all the casual, poolside aesthetics that terry brings to the table, the corduroy element adds a subtle striped texture. We've used it to create Oli's tees, Weston jersey shorts, Tabley polos and Riviera short-sleeve shirts. It the ideal resort fabric for when you're on holiday and want a versatile cloth that feels super casual but can be dressed up to look smart.
Oli's T-Shirt |
Tabley Polo Shirt |
Riviera Short Sleeve Jersey |
Duport Rib-Knitted Organic Cotton
We wanted to put a textural spin on the classic Breton jersey this season, so when we came across the Duport Organic Cotton fabric, we knew we were onto something. It's a substantial cloth that has been constructed with a waffle-knit, both of which give it a really natural drape over the torso. The waffle-knit also has something of a vintage undergarment feel to it which we love, hence why we used it to create our long-sleeved jerseys.
Long Sleeve T-Shirt |
Hawthorn Polo Shirt |
Seeing the fabrics online doesn't really do them justice so we'd recommend dropping into your nearest Oliver Spencer store and giving them a whirl. Our team is always on hand to offer styling and sizing advice, too.