What is French terry?
French terry has the smooth face of a sweatshirt fabric but an unbrushed back of small yarn loops, which makes it lighter, more breathable and less insulating than brushed fleece. It is the fabric of summer sweatshirts, joggers, lifting shorts and lightweight hoodies.
Why it matters
For warm climates and for gym-to-street wear it is the right sweatshirt fabric. At 280–350 gsm it drapes better than fleece and keeps a cleaner silhouette.
On our floor
Cotton and 80/20 French terry at 280–350 gsm for joggers, shorts and lightweight crewnecks; embroidery and screen print both suit it.
Common questions
- French terry or fleece for a hoodie?
- Fleece for warmth and the heavyweight streetwear feel; French terry for a lighter, cooler hoodie.
- What weight is French terry?
- Typically 280–350 gsm.
- Is French terry good for gym wear?
- Yes — joggers, shorts and pump-cover sweats are usually French terry.
- Does it take print well?
- Yes — the smooth face takes screen print, embroidery and puff.
Related terms
fleece
Fleece, in knitwear, is a fabric with a smooth knitted face and a back that has been brushed to raise a soft, insulating nap. It is the…
GSM
GSM is grams per square metre — how much a square metre of the fabric weighs. It is the single number that predicts most about how a…
jersey
Jersey is the single-knit fabric of the t-shirt: a smooth face, a slightly looped back, stretch across the width and a tendency to curl at…
cotton
Cotton is the natural fibre behind tees, hoodies, polos and most everyday garments — soft, breathable, absorbent, and the fibre DTG and…
Where this applies
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