Ever since I started making my own clothes, I've become a bit nerdy about fabrics and clothing construction. Once you've seen a garment stripped down to its bare components, it's hard to not mentally pull apart every item of clothing on a rail and obsessively check the labels to determine the percentage of polyester vs. silk. After all, regardless of the bells and whistles you add to a style, if the fabric isn't right, it ain't going to sell.
Luckily for me (and fellow fashion fanatics), this season's collections are a cornucopia of unusual fabrics—from textural tweeds and luxurious satins to whimsical organzas and clean-lined linen. They're all statement enough to add interest to any outfit but still look classic. Unlike a trending silhouette or print, fabrics tend to transcend seasonal fluctuations. For example, you know a tweed jacket will feel fresh now, but it's also timeless enough to be passed onto the next generation.
Just think of them as your spring/summer 2019 trend toolbox. Bored of the standard-issue floral summer dresses? Try a leather iteration. Need to add wow factor to a nice top and jeans? Organza is the trend for you. There's something for everyone. So if you fancy a little reconnaissance of this season's trending fabrics, scroll down to see how our favourite influencers are wearing them this season and shop key pieces.
Tweed
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Leather
Style Notes: MatchesFashion.com cited leather as one of its key trends for 2019, but this is way beyond your usual black biker jackets and top-handle handbags. This is leather 2.0. Buttery soft and malleable, this season, the tough fabric has been sculpted into everything from midi dress and shirts to trousers and blazers. Just check out Leia's khaki-green leather mini, which was made for this tricky, in-between spring weather.
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Satin
Style Notes: We've noticed that most of the occasion-wear dresses we want to buy this year come in satin, and preferably as silk-satin. The ultimate in luxury fabrics, satin offers a sultry finish to any ensemble—be it a white tee and slip skirt or dramatic halterneck dress à la Ellie from Slip Into Style. Just be prepared for that dry-cleaning bill.
Related: The Only Dress Styles You Need on Your Radar This Summer
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Organza
Style Notes: Whimsical and feather-light, organza is one of the more recent additions to 2019's trend canon. Championed by Zara via its sellout pussy-bow blouses, this fabric is the ideal solution to the Friday night drinks dilemma. Just pair with jeans and strappy heels for smart-casual perfection.
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Linen
Style Notes: An oldie but a goodie. You can't head off on your summer hols without at least one linen piece. While previous years might've seen linen dresses reign, this season, the fabric has expanded its oeuvre into more tailored pieces such as blazers and trousers, making it a great option for "summer in the city" dressing.
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