Learning About Fabric
Because how it feels matters.
At OTnq, we care about the details — how a piece of clothing sits, how it breathes, how it softens with every wear.
We believe comfort starts long before you put something on — it starts with the fabric itself.
Our fabrics are chosen with purpose: to move with you, to last, and to feel good every time you wear them.
Fabric is one of the biggest, most underestimated parts of why we feel good in clothing.
Every fibre has a “personality”.
Cotton is not the same as cotton with lycra.
Polyester is not the same as poly-cotton.
Carded cotton feels different to combed cotton.
This is the fun part – this is where good clothing is created.
The Fibres We Use (and Why)
100% Cotton — Nature’s Original
What is cotton?
Cotton is a natural fibre that grows in a fluffy ball around the seeds of the cotton plant. It literally comes off the plant soft — no chemical wizardry needed.
It’s breathable, absorbs moisture, and regulates temperature. It’s the OG comfort fabric — the classic — and it gets better with age.
Cotton clothes literally form to you over time.
We work mainly with two types:
- Carded cotton — slightly more textured, relaxed, everyday comfort.
- Combed cotton — smoother and softer, more premium, more refined.
Cotton + Lycra — Stretch, Naturally
What is Lycra?
Lycra is a super-stretchy elastic fibre — like the gymnastic cousin of normal yarn. You only need a tiny bit (just 2%) to make a big difference in stretch and shape-holding.
So when you blend cotton with Lycra, you get softer, stretchier, comfier cotton that moves with your body — not against it. It’s not there to replace cotton — it’s there to support cotton.
Want to see how that affects cut + sizing in a real tee?
See How we size and fit.
Polyester + Cotton — The Everyday All-Rounder
What is polyester?
Polyester is a man-made fibre that’s super strong and resistant to shrinking and wrinkling. Think: durable, quick-drying, keep-its-shape-without-effort.
Blend that with cotton and you get balance — breathable and resilient.
Perfect for those tees you reach for without thinking — the ones that work for chill mornings, errands, travel days, late afternoon sundowners — all those in-between moments that end up being your real everyday life.
Poly / Cotton / Lycra — Built to Move
When you bring all three together, you get a little dream team:
- cotton = soft + breathable
- polyester = durable + quick-dry
- Lycra = stretch + recovery
This blend is brilliant for lightweight layering — especially those pieces you throw on during summer when it’s technically warm, but the wind or shade still calls for “just a little something.” Soft, stretchy, structured — and not over-warm – think sitting at the beach watching the sunset type vibes.
Blends are not cheating — they are tools, and different blends do different jobs.
Want to get yourself into some of our apparel, some blended some not?
A Few Fabric Facts We Love
- Cotton can hold up to 27 times its weight in water — that’s how it helps keep you cool.
- Just 2% Lycra can completely change how a garment moves and feels.
- Polyester isn’t scared of a little sweat — it dries fast and stays in shape.
- Cotton gets softer with wear — it literally becomes yours over time.
Proudly Local, Always Lekker
We choose different fabrics for different feels — to suit how you live, move, and relax. Every fibre is chosen with intention, every blend tested for comfort, and every piece made close to home.
Because good fabric isn’t just what makes your clothes last —it’s what makes you want to live in them.
Keep it local, keep it lekker, and keep it feeling good.