Knowing the types of wool fabric, cashmere or cotton means understanding the quality of a garment. At Lebrun Paris, every cloth is selected for its natural properties and its hand feel. This glossary covers the main fibres and cloths of the men's wardrobe.
Virgin wool
Virgin wool refers to new wool that has never been used in another product or recycled. It offers natural elasticity, excellent temperature regulation and remarkable resistance to creasing. It is the reference fabric for our men's overcoats and our wool trousers. The exact composition of each piece appears on its product page.
Cashmere
Cashmere is a precious fibre taken from the undercoat of the cashmere goat. Finer, lighter and warmer than classic wool, it has a very soft hand. We use it in wool-cashmere blends in our coats to combine structure and comfort. Discover our detailed comparison virgin wool vs cashmere.
Gabardine
Gabardine is a tightly woven cloth, usually in wool or cotton, characterised by its fine diagonal ribs. Invented by Thomas Burberry in 1879, it is resistant to abrasion. It is a preferred choice for structured jackets and city trousers.
Flannel
Flannel is a lightly brushed wool or cotton cloth, creating a soft, warm surface. Associated with the classic English wardrobe, it is ideal for autumn-winter trousers and relaxed jackets. Its velvety hand and fluid drape make it a particularly pleasant fabric to wear.
Tweed
Tweed is a sturdy wool cloth, traditionally woven in plain or twill weave. Originating in Scotland and Ireland, it stands out for its irregular texture and its inimitable character. Worn as a jacket or a coat, it brings a touch of authenticity and refinement.
Wool broadcloth
Wool broadcloth is a thick wool cloth, fulled and brushed until it achieves a smooth, dense surface. It is the traditional fabric of quality coats: it offers maximum thermal protection while keeping an elegant drape. Our double-breasted coats are made of wool; the exact composition is listed on each product page.
How to recognise a well-chosen fabric?
A few clues: the hand feel (suppleness, softness, no synthetic stiffness), the composition label (percentage of natural fibres), and how it behaves in use (virgin wool recovers naturally from creases). To go further, read our advice on caring for your wool and cashmere pieces, and discover in detail our virgin wool, cashmere and cotton fabrics.
At Lebrun Paris, the choice of fabrics is the starting point of every creation. It is this rigour that defines our approach to quiet luxury: menswear whose quality can be felt in the hand and seen in the drape. Discover our approach.