Handfeel, or hand, is the way a fabric feels when touched and handled. It often decides whether a customer buys a garment.
Useful words to describe hand
- Soft or crisp: how the fabric bends and resists
- Smooth or textured: the surface feel
- Cool or warm: how it feels against the skin
- Fluid or stiff: how it drapes
- Dry or slippery: surface friction
What changes handfeel
- Fibre: modal and viscose feel softer than polyester
- Yarn: finer yarns feel smoother
- Finish: softeners, bio-wash and brushing
- Weight: lighter fabrics usually feel softer
Best practice
Words help, but a reference swatch is best. Send a fabric you like and mark what you want the same or different.