Poplin - The ubiquitous shirting fabric

Poplin

As one of the most common shirt weaves, poplin has a long and interesting history. Originally called papelain, the name originates from 15th century Avignon, France. Back then the city had a papal residence and gave the fabric its name - papal linen. Since then, poplin has also referred to various silk and wool blends and is available for a multitude of purposes.

In the world of men’s fashion, poplin almost always refers to a simple over-under cotton weave used for shirts and jackets. Poplin gets its characteristic structure from fine yarns woven closely together, usually with two to three times as many threads per inch in the warp as in the weft. Especially at higher thread counts, poplin has a silky, light, and smooth feel and becomes especially crisp when ironed.

Poplin comes in solid colours, stripes and checks. A couple of white poplin shirts are a reliable choice for business wear. Our favourite is Caucel, white, with an easy-care finish.