Our Fabric Explained: Sustainable Knits, Luxury Quality | Rose & Rae

Our Fabric Explained: Sustainable Knits, Luxury Quality, and the Truth About GSM

When it comes to sustainable clothing, fabric is everything. At Rose & Rae, the material we source from our supplier is what truly sets us apart from other apparel brands. From the very first stage—growing the cotton—all the way to the cut-and-sew process, every detail is handled with precision and integrity.

We believe that luxury basics should never compromise on quality, sustainability, or comfort. That’s why we carefully source, spin, knit, and finish each fabric using techniques that ensure both environmental responsibility and exceptional wearability.

This guide will walk you through the types of fabrics we use, how they’re made, and what makes them different, so you’ll understand why our products feel unlike anything else on the market.

The Sustainable Supply Chain: From Farm to Fabric

Every premium garment starts with a transparent, ethical supply chain. Here’s how your shirt or sweatshirt makes its journey:

  • Farm – Cotton is grown responsibly, with sustainability as the foundation.
  • Gin – Raw cotton fibers are separated from seeds.
  • Yarn – Fibers are spun and treated into strong, uniform yarn.
  • Fabric – Yarns are knit into high-quality fabric using advanced machines.
  • Garment – Fabric is cut, sewn, and finished into apparel.
  • Customer – A premium, eco-friendly piece ends up in your hands.

Each stage of this process is audited for low-impact environmental practices, fair working conditions, and consistent fabric integrity.

Knitting Techniques: Warp vs. Weft

The way yarn is knit determines how fabric feels, stretches, and lasts.

What We Use: Weft Knitting

At Rose & Rae, all of our fabric is produced through weft knitting, the most common and versatile knitting method for flat and tubular fabrics. In weft knitting, a single yarn runs horizontally (left to right), forming loops across the width of the fabric. These loops create:

  • Wales – vertical columns of stitches
  • Courses – horizontal rows of stitches

This results in stretchy, durable, and comfortable fabrics perfect for everyday wear.

💡 Memory trick: “Weft = Left.” Weft knitting runs left-to-right, or horizontally.

The Alternative: Warp Knitting

Warp knitting, on the other hand, runs yarn loops vertically in a zig-zag formation along the fabric’s length. It’s more technical, less common, and produces fabrics often used in specialized applications (like mesh or lingerie). While strong, it lacks the versatility and softness of weft knits.

Fabric Types in Our Collection

1. Jersey Knit: The Foundation of Premium Tees

Our Supima® cotton t-shirts are made with jersey knit, also called single knit. This is one of the most recognizable fabrics in apparel thanks to its soft feel and breathability.

Key Characteristics of Jersey Knit:

  • Smooth, technical front and textured back
  • Lightweight compared to other knits
  • Naturally curls at edges
  • Produced on machines with a single set of needles

This knit is ideal for premium wholesale t-shirts because it drapes naturally and feels soft against the skin.

2. Rib Knit: Strength and Stretch Where It Matters

Rib knits are double-faced fabrics featuring distinct vertical ridges on both sides. The texture gives rib knit both durability and elasticity, making it perfect for garment edges and accessories.

  • We use rib knit for:
  • Necklines and cuffs on t-shirts
  • Hem and gussets in fleece
  • Custom-knit “brioche” beanies

Why Rib Knit Works:

  • Stretches easily without losing shape
  • Provides structural support to garments
  • Adds subtle visual texture for a luxury finish

3. 3-End Fleece: The Gold Standard of Sweatshirts

When it comes to fleece, 3-end fleece (or 3-thread fleece) is the premium industry standard. Instead of two yarns, three are woven together, creating:

  • A uniform, printable face (ideal for screen printing and decoration)
  • A plush, brushed interior made with organic cotton and polyester blend
  • Extra durability and loft, giving the garment weight and structure

Unlike cheaper alternatives, our fleece is crafted with an organic cotton face yarn, ensuring print consistency and long-term softness. High-end brands worldwide use 3-end fleece for its luxury look, heavy feel, and unbeatable comfort.

GSM Explained: What Fabric Weight Really Means

If you’ve shopped for high-end apparel, you’ve probably seen “GSM” listed as a spec. GSM stands for grams per square meter (g/m²) and is the most accurate way to measure fabric weight.

  • Higher GSM = heavier, thicker fabric
  • Lower GSM = lighter, thinner fabric

For example:

  • A lightweight summer tee might be 140–160 GSM
  • A luxury Supima® cotton tee could be 180–200 GSM
  • A heavyweight fleece sweatshirt may reach 400+ GSM

The Problem with GSM in Fashion

  • Unfortunately, many clothing brands misuse GSM in marketing. They:
  • Inflate numbers to make fabric sound more luxurious
  • Use inaccurate measurement methods (like weighing the whole garment)
  • Rely on GSM to distract from low-quality cotton or poor knitting techniques

At Rose & Rae, we emphasize that GSM only matters if the raw material and knitting quality are premium. A high GSM sweatshirt made from low-grade cotton will still feel rough, fuzzy, and cheap after a few washes.

Why Our Fabric Feels Different

The combination of responsibly sourced Supima® cotton, precise knitting methods, and honest production standards creates apparel that lasts longer, feels softer, and performs better.

  • Softness: Our organic cotton yarns produce a smoother, silkier hand-feel.
  • Durability: Rib and fleece construction ensures long-term structure.
  • Luxury Weight: True GSM accuracy delivers heavy yet breathable garments.
  • Eco Responsibility: Every stage of our supply chain is optimized for sustainability.

Final Thoughts

When you wear Rose & Rae, you’re not just wearing another t-shirt or sweatshirt—you’re experiencing a fabric story that begins on sustainable farms and ends in a garment designed for luxury and longevity.

By understanding jersey knits, rib knits, 3-end fleece, and GSM, you now know why some clothes feel cheap while others—like ours—become your go-to essentials for years.

Because in the end, fabric matters.

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