The Ultimate Guide to Streetwear Fabrics: Understanding What You're Wearing

You have probably seen terms like "heavyweight cotton" or "French terry" in product descriptions, but what do they actually mean? Understanding fabrics is crucial to making smart streetwear investments.

GSM: The Golden Number

GSM (grams per square meter) measures fabric weight and density. In streetwear, this number tells you everything about quality and durability.


Lightweight (150-220 GSM):

  • Best for: Summer tees, layering pieces
  • Feel: Soft, breathable, drapes easily
  • Durability: Lower, but comfortable in warm weather

Midweight (220-280 GSM):

  • Best for: Year-round tees, light hoodies
  • Feel: Balanced between structure and comfort
  • Durability: Good for regular wear

Heavyweight (280-400+ GSM):

  • Best for: Premium hoodies, joggers and winter streetwear
  • Feel: Substantial, structured, luxurious

Durability: Excellent, maintains shape over time

At Legit Legacy, our pieces typically feature heavyweight fabric (400+ GSM) because we believe streetwear should have substance—literally.

Specialty Fabrics in Streetwear

French Terry: Smooth exterior with looped texture inside. Perfect for hoodies and sweatshirts. Offers warmth without excessive bulk.

Fleece: Brushed interior creates extra warmth and softness. Ideal for cold-weather streetwear. Comes in various weights.

Jersey: Standard t-shirt material. Lightweight and breathable with slight stretch. Quality varies dramatically by GSM.

Canvas: Heavy, durable cotton fabric. Common in workwear-inspired streetwear. Breaks in beautifully over time.

Technical Fabrics: Synthetic materials offering water resistance, wind protection, or enhanced durability. Common in performance streetwear.

Fabric Quality Red Flags

Watch out for:

  • Unclear fabric content listings
  • Extremely low prices (usually indicates low GSM)
  • Thin, see-through material
  • Rough or pilling texture
  • Chemical smell (indicates harsh processing)

Caring for Different Fabrics

For Cotton:

  • Cold water wash
  • Gentle cycle
  • Air dry or low heat tumble
  • Avoid bleach

For Cotton Blends:

  • Cold to warm water
  • Normal cycle acceptable
  • Medium heat tumble okay
  • More forgiving overall

For Technical Fabrics:

  • Follow specific care instructions
  • Often requires gentle wash
  • Usually air dry only
  • May need special detergents

    Why Legit Legacy Chooses Premium Fabrics

    Every fabric choice we make comes down to one principle: would we wear this ourselves? Our commitment to heavyweight, quality materials means you're investing in pieces that last seasons, not weeks.

    When you understand fabric, you understand value. You'll stop asking "why does this cost more?" and start asking "how could this cost so little?".

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