Eyelet Fabric
A cotton or cotton-blend fabric featuring decorative patterns of small cut-out holes finished with embroidered or stitched edges. A hallmark of summer fashion with a feminine, vintage aesthetic.
Material Score Breakdown
7-axis material rubric, not a garment verdict — see disclosure below.
How long the fabric lasts with regular use
Softness, feel against skin, wearability
Air flow and ventilation
Heat retention and insulation
Ability to pull sweat away from skin
Environmental impact of production and disposal
How easy it is to wash, dry, and maintain
Products with eyelet fabric
We don't have any eyelet fabric products in our catalog yet — it's a rare natural fiber. Here are top-rated natural alternatives:
Merino Cardigan
100% Merino Wool
Merino Long-Sleeve Sweater Polo
100% Merino Wool
Merino Sweater
100% Merino Wool
Merino Johnny-Collar Sweater Polo
100% Merino Wool
Slim Merino Ribbed Sweater
100% Merino Wool
Merino Crew-Neck Sweater
100% Merino Wool
What this score doesn't measure
This is a material rating, not a verdict on any specific garment made from eyelet fabric. The axes above are research-backed averages for the fiber itself.
- ×Construction. Yarn staple length, weave / knit structure, stitch count, finishing. Identical fiber, very different garments.
- ×Fabric weight (GSM). A 140 GSM tee and a 220 GSM tee made of the same eyelet fabric feel and last very differently.
- ×Dye + finishing chemicals. Beyond the three we flag (PFAS, formaldehyde, antimony), dozens of textile finishes aren't modelled.
Best For
Good comfort (70) and care ease (50) for casual wear
Good comfort (70) and breathability (85) for sleeping
Good breathability (85) and comfort (70) for undergarments
Detailed Use Case Scores
Pros
- ✓ Extremely breathable due to cut-out holes
- ✓ Beautiful feminine decorative aesthetic
- ✓ Soft cotton base is comfortable
- ✓ Classic summer fabric
Cons
- ✗ Delicate embroidery can snag or unravel
- ✗ Requires a lining or underlayer
- ✗ Not warm at all
- ✗ Higher maintenance than plain cotton
Better alternatives
Higher-scored natural materials. Same category — what to consider instead.
+34 vs Eyelet Fabric · 92/100
BiodegradableThe rarest and most expensive animal fiber in the world, from the vicuña of the Andes. Finer than cashmere, incredibly soft, warm, and lightweight. A single coat yields only 250g of usable fiber every 2-3 years.
+28 vs Eyelet Fabric · 86/100
BiodegradableUltra-fine wool from Merino sheep. Softer and less itchy than regular wool, with excellent temperature regulation and moisture management.
+24 vs Eyelet Fabric · 82/100
BiodegradableExtra-long-staple cotton historically grown in the West Indies (Barbados, Jamaica) and Sea Islands of Georgia/South Carolina. Among the rarest commercial fibers on earth — staple length up to 2.5", silky hand feel, intense color saturation when dyed. Used in heritage luxury shirting and bespoke menswear.
Care Guide
Special Notes
• Delicate cycle protects eyelet holes from snagging
Additional Care Tips
- • Machine wash on delicate cycle in cold water (30°C/85°F) in a mesh laundry bag
- • Use mild detergent — harsh chemicals can weaken the embroidered edges
- • Air dry flat or on a hanger; tumble drying can shrink and distort the cut-out pattern
- • Iron on medium heat on the reverse side to protect the embroidered eyelet details
- • Hand wash for delicate pieces with fine embroidery
- • Store folded gently — avoid crushing the dimensional embroidered edges
Cost
$$$$$
Mid-range
Shrinkage
May shrink 2-5% — wash cold
Eco Rating
Moderate impact — consider eco alternatives