Fabric choices for lining

Viscose/Rayon/Cupro
Rayon has thin fibers and because of this the fabric is very much suited to make a lining. It is breathable and soft, pliable and lightweight. It would not stick to your body even in hot sweaty weather.
100% viscose and 100% Cupro lining materials are also much in demand for lining as they are soft anti-static and lightweight.
Bemberg rayon is a popular branded rayon fabric (Cupro) used to line dresses suits and coats. It is breathable, soft, antistatic anti-clinging super comfortable and overall a superstar lining material. Viscose Ermazine Taffeta is a popular lining material used by bespoke tailors for suit jackets. Ermazine is somewhat sheer.
Anti-static Rayon twill fabric is very good as lining if you need a more weighty fabric. These are to be hand washed. Machine wash may damage the fibers. Rayon crepe back satin is a good choice
Cotton
This is the most popular fabric for making linings – and the most comfortable against your skin. Cotton is made from natural fibers so it is breathable and very comfortable against the skin as it wicks moisture well.
Thin lining cotton material does not add extra bulk to the whole garment. This is important for fitting dresses and trousers.
Cotton lining is the best choice when sewing for kids or when lining summer clothes.
One problem some might see against using cotton as a lining material is that it does not glide smoothly like some other fabric, which is a criteria many look for when selecting lining fabric, especially for highend jackets and coats.
If you want that soft and silky feeling for the inside of the garment cotton is not for you – it may be rougher than the other lining materials mentioned here, especially the cheaper ones. Cotton may not look luxurious or expensive.
Another problem with a cotton lining is that it wrinkles a lot. Also if you do not preshrunk cotton fabric it will shrink after the first wash and thus may distort the garment as it will shrink differently from lining.
Cotton Poplin is frequently used as a thin soft lining material. Voile and Lawn are used to line fine dresses. Cotton batiste, muslin, percale are other favorites. If you want a lining that should wear well, choose a plain or twill weave cotton fabric. Cotton plaid is usually preferred inside suits.

Silk

Silk is synonymous with luxury and when you want that extra bit for a once-in-a-life-time dress you may want to use silk against your skin. It is breathable and very soft. Be prepared to part with a lot of money, as silk is very expensive so when added to the cost of fashion fabric used for the outside, the outfit turns out to be very expensive.

China silk is a comparatively inexpensive lightweight silk used as lining. In an shop the sales girl would first offer this as a lining material. It has a nice drape and great under lightweight fabrics.

Silk taffeta is a crisp thin fabric and holds its shape inside the garment. This is a favourite lining material for lightweight /medium weight fabrics especially for dresses and skirts which need some shape/volume without bulk.

Habutai lining fabric/Silk Satin is used to line wedding dresses. Dupioni silk is a thicker silk that can add some body to your garment. Silk Charmeuse & Silk Crepe De Chine are lightweight soft silk used for lining. They are also great for lining. Silk crepe back satin is more weighty (twice the weight of crepe de chine or charmeuse) and just as good for your purpose for suits, jackets, coats.

Silk organza is another favourite thin lining fabric.

Polyester or polyester blends

In all ready to wear clothes polyester lining is the most often used lining material- because it is inexpensive. Fast fashion needs inexpensive. Period.

But there is another big reason why I would use synthetic materials like polyester – the wrinkling of natural fabrics. I dislike the wrinkly lining look inside and it is a pain to iron the whole lining.

It is a shiny synthetic fabric that is very easy to care for. It is cheap and may look cheap. Another disadvantage is that it is not breathable and does not absorb sweat so may make you uncomfortable if you wear it long.

Polyester sheath lining is a smooth, lightweight woven polyester that is good for lining pants, skirts etc. It is very soft and no wrinkles. Poly china silk is a cheap alternative to the expensive silk lining. It is soft, silky drapey and lightweight.

Satin made of polyester fibers is often used because of the soft feel. Satin usually has a smooth surface on the face and a matt surface on the back. Satin is available in many weights and many price range so it is a favourite as a lining fabric for inexpensive evening wear and costumes.


Polycotton is another favourite with more weight – it is a blend of 50% Cotton, 50% Polyester fibers and is great as a curtain liner. Polyester taffeta is your lining fabric if you want a crisp tightly woven lining. Polyester organza is good as a sheer lining for lace fabrics.