Ethan Clarke
There are many types of shiny plastic clothing materials, each with its own unique characteristics and uses. The term plastic in the context of clothing typically refers to polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which is often called vinyl. PVC clothing is created by coating a backing woven from polyester fibres with a layer of shiny plastic. This plastic layer is usually a blend of PVC and polyurethane (PU), with the ratio of these two components determining the fabric's stiffness, stretchiness, and type of shine. PVC clothing became popular in the 1960s and 1970s, with designers embracing its futuristic appeal. Other types of shiny fabrics include satin, silk, sateen, velvet, lame, cire, brocade, and organza, each created using specific weave structures, special threads, or chemical treatments to achieve their signature sheen.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of fabric | PVC, vinyl, PU, cire, lame, brocade, organza, satin, silk, sateen, velvet, jacquard, crepe, polyester velvet, poly-cotton blend |
| Appearance | Wet look, glossy, silky, metallic, sheer, transparent |
| Texture | Smooth, stretchy, soft |
| Care | Cannot be ironed, washed with washing powder, or over-stretched. Can be wiped with a damp sponge, hand-washed with liquid detergent, and air-dried |
| Use | Raincoats, dresses, evening wear, special occasions, outerwear, designer clothing, cosplay, boots, skirts, trousers, jackets |
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What You'll Learn
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) clothing
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is a type of shiny plastic clothing material. The terms "PVC", "vinyl", and "PU" are often used interchangeably by retailers for clothing made from shiny plastic-coated fabrics. PVC clothing is made from a fabric layer covered with a plastic layer, typically a blend of PVC and polyurethane (PU). The fabric layer is usually a backing woven from polyester fibres. The ratio of PVC to PU in the blend affects the characteristics of the fabric, with 100% PVC producing a stiff fabric with a glossy shine, and 100% PU producing a stretchy fabric with a silky shine.
PVC clothing is highly resistant and waterproof, making it ideal for raincoats. It can be produced in a variety of bright colours, adding to its visual appeal. The use of PVC in clothing became popular during the 1960s and early 1970s, with designers embracing its futuristic look. Boots, raincoats, dresses, and other PVC garments in diverse colours and transparencies were common. PVC clothing has also been featured in films and TV series such as The Avengers.
PVC clothing requires special care to maintain its smooth texture and shine. It should not be stretched excessively, as this can cause the plastic layer to become striated, lose its shine, and possibly tear. PVC clothing is also damaged by ironing or exposure to high temperatures, as the plastic layer may melt. It should be stored hanging in a garment bag away from other clothing to prevent staining.
When cleaning PVC clothing, it is important to avoid washing powder, as the flakes can stick to the plastic layer. Hand washing with warm water and a small amount of liquid detergent is recommended. The detergent can then be removed using cold water, and the garment should be turned inside out to dry in the shade.
PVC clothing has continued to be popular, especially among young people in the 1990s, who embraced jackets, skirts, and trousers made from this material. It has also been associated with PVC fetishism.
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Wet look fabric
One example of a shiny plastic clothing material is PVC, or polyvinyl chloride, which is often referred to as "vinyl". PVC clothing is made from a fabric layer covered with a plastic layer, typically a blend of PVC and polyurethane (PU). The fabric backing is usually woven from polyester fibres. The amount of PVC versus PU in the blend affects the characteristics of the fabric, with 100% PVC producing a stiff fabric with a glossy shine, and 100% PU producing a stretchy fabric with a silky shine. PVC clothing is highly resistant, waterproof, and can be produced in a variety of bright colours, adding to its visual appeal.
Another type of shiny fabric is "wet look fabric", also known as "cire". This fabric is made primarily from polyester and is used to create outerwear apparel that requires higher resistance to natural elements such as rain and snow. It is a durable and breathable fabric that is popular in cosplay circles and designer clothing. Wet-look fabric is available in a variety of colours and can be made from different materials such as spandex, faux leather, and vinyl. It is often used for leggings, jackets, dresses, and vehicle upholstery.
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Jacquard fabric
The terms "PVC", "vinyl", and "PU" are often used interchangeably by retailers for clothing made from shiny plastic-coated fabrics. These fabrics usually consist of a backing woven from polyester fibres with a surface coating of shiny plastic. The plastic layer is typically a blend of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and polyurethane (PU). The percentage of each material in the blend affects the fabric's stiffness and shininess. For example, 100% PVC produces a stiff fabric with a glossy shine, whereas 100% PU produces a stretchy fabric with a silky shine.
Now, onto Jacquard fabric. Jacquard fabric is named after Joseph Marie Jacquard, a former “draw boy” who went on to revolutionise the textile industry. By the late 1700s, machines were being used to create simple patterned fabrics, but complex patterns like brocades still required manual labour. Jacquard created a solution using punch cards similar to those used in player pianos and mechanical music boxes. This innovation automated the creation of complex patterns and laid the groundwork for early computer hardware development.
Modern jacquard fabrics are made from various fibres, including natural cottons and silks, as well as man-made polyester and polyester-cotton blends. They are generally intricate in design and tend to be stronger and thicker than other types of weaves. The key characteristic of jacquard fabrics is that the design is woven into the fabric itself, rather than stamped, printed, or embroidered on top.
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Lame fabric
Historically, lamé was associated exclusively with royalty and nobility, and it was known as the "cloth of gold" in Europe due to its incorporation of gold fibres and resemblance to gold coins or jewellery. The earliest historical records of lamé fabric date back to Ancient Assyria, a nation in the Middle East that existed between 2500 BC and 600 AD. Assyrian cuneiform records report the existence of a fabric made from gold or silver worn exclusively by royalty.
Today, most mass-market lame uses synthetic metallised polyester film, making it available in a variety of bright colours. Lame fabric is commonly used in evening and dress wear, theatrical and dance costumes, and futuristic costumes and spacesuits for science fiction performances. It is also used to craft lavish décor items such as curtains and table covers.
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Organza fabric
The origin of the term "organza" may be the French word "organsin", which comes from the Central Asian city of Urgench, the midpoint of the Northern Silk Road. Organza fabric first appeared in Europe around the 18th century, and today, it is sourced from various suppliers around the world. Silk organza is predominantly woven in China and India, while deluxe silk organzas are woven in France and Italy.
Overall, organza fabric is a versatile and elegant material that can add a touch of grace and structure to various sewing projects, from apparel to home décor. Its lightweight and sheer properties, along with its natural sheen, make it a popular choice for creating stylish and romantic looks.
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Frequently asked questions
The shiny plastic clothing material you are referring to is most likely made from PVC (polyvinyl chloride). PVC clothing is created by coating a backing woven from polyester fibres with a layer of PVC plastic.
Other types of shiny fabrics include lame, cire, brocade, organza, satin, silk, sateen, and velvet. The shine of a fabric is usually due to its weave structure, with some weaves being heavier or thicker, or special threads being used to create a certain look.
PVC clothing should not be ironed or exposed to high temperatures as the plastic layer may melt. It should also not be over-stretched to avoid damage to the plastic layer. PVC clothing can be hand-washed with warm water and a small amount of liquid detergent.
