---
type: "fabric"
name: "Gabardine"
slug: "gabardine"
fabric_family: "woven"
construction: "twill"
typical_fibers:
  - "Wool"
  - "Cotton"
  - "Polyester"
weight_gsm: "200–350 g/m²"
price_tier: 3
url: "https://www.fabricatlas.com/fabrics/gabardine"
updated: "2025-09-08T02:12:22.017947+00:00"
---

# Gabardine

Gabardine is a durable, tightly woven twill fabric known for its smooth finish and excellent drape, commonly used in tailored garments and outerwear.

- **Fabric Family**: Woven
- **Construction**: Twill
- **Typical Fibers**: Wool, Cotton, Polyester
- **Weight**: 200–350 g/m²
- **Thickness**: 0.5–1.2 mm
- **Typical Width**: 150 cm
- **Price Tier**: $$$ (3 of 5)

## About Gabardine

Gabardine is a woven fabric characterized by its diagonal ribbing, created through a twill weave. It is typically made from wool, cotton, or polyester fibers, offering a balance of durability and comfort. The fabric is known for its water-resistant properties and is often treated for additional performance features. Gabardine's structure provides a crisp finish, making it ideal for structured garments such as suits, trousers, and outerwear.

## Woven Properties

- **Ends per Inch (EPI)**: 60
- **Picks per Inch (PPI)**: 40

## Stretch Properties

- **Warp Stretch**: 5%
- **Weft Stretch**: 3%

## Performance Properties

- **Air Permeability**: 0.5 CFM
- **Hydrostatic Head**: 1500 mm
- **Spray Rating**: 80
- **Evaporative Resistance (Ret)**: 0.5
- **Thermal Resistance (Rct)**: 0.1
- **UPF Rating**: 30

## Appearance & Hand

- **Luster**: Semi Matte
- **Opacity**: Opaque
- **Surface Texture**: smooth
- **Hand & Drape**: Balanced

## Performance Features

- Moisture Wicking
- Windproof
- Durable

## Common Finishes

- Water Repellent
- Wrinkle Resistant
- Stain Resistant

## Common Applications

- Suits
- Trousers
- Jackets
- Coats
- Uniforms

## Common Uses in Detail

### Tailored Suits & Trousers

Its tight [Twill](https://www.fabricatlas.com/fabrics/twill) weave and smooth surface make gabardine a premier choice for tailored suits and trousers. The fabric holds sharp creases, resists wrinkles, and drapes elegantly, giving structured garments a polished, professional appearance that retains its shape through extended wear.

### Outerwear & Coats

Tightly woven and naturally wind-resistant, gabardine has long been favored for overcoats and raincoats. Its dense construction repels light moisture while remaining breathable, making it ideal for outerwear that must balance weather protection with a refined, tailored silhouette.

### Military & Staff Uniforms

Durability, a crisp finish, and resistance to daily wear make gabardine a trusted material for military dress uniforms and professional staff attire. It withstands repeated laundering, maintains a sharp appearance, and projects an authoritative, well-groomed look essential in formal service environments.

## Care Instructions

Machine wash on a gentle cycle with mild detergent. Iron on medium heat. Do not bleach. Can be dry cleaned.

- Machine Wash At 30°C
- Do Not Bleach
- Iron At Medium Temperature
- Dry Clean

## Additional Information

Gabardine was originally developed by Thomas Burberry in the 1870s, and it is known for its use in trench coats and other outerwear due to its water-resistant properties.

- **Regional Names**: Twill, Tropical Wool
- **Sourcing Regions**: Italy, China, India, Turkey
- **Testing Standards**: Martindale/Rub count, Pilling, Colorfastness to wash, Seam slippage, Tear strength

## Fibers in This Fabric

- [Cotton](https://www.fabricatlas.com/fibers/cotton.md)
- [Polyester](https://www.fabricatlas.com/fibers/polyester.md)
- [Wool](https://www.fabricatlas.com/fibers/wool.md)

## Similar Fabrics

- [Bedford Cord](https://www.fabricatlas.com/fabrics/bedford-cord.md) — Woven
- [Birdseye](https://www.fabricatlas.com/fabrics/birdseye.md) — Woven
- [Boutis](https://www.fabricatlas.com/fabrics/boutis.md) — Woven
- [Cavalry Twill](https://www.fabricatlas.com/fabrics/cavalry-twill.md) — Woven
- [Cheviot](https://www.fabricatlas.com/fabrics/cheviot.md) — Woven

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*Source: [Fabric Atlas](https://www.fabricatlas.com/fabrics/gabardine) — HTML version of this page.*