Cotton suits feeding kurtis and day dresses, rayon suits flowing dresses and nightwear, and cotton jersey suits nursing tops that need to stretch. Picking one fabric for maternity wear brand-wide is rarely the right call, because each style is worn differently and the feeding opening behaves differently in each fabric.
Our white label maternity and nursing wear comes in three fabrics. This post compares them for feel, drape, stretch and care, then matches each to our four styles and to the three feeding openings.
The three fabrics compared
| Fabric | Type | Feel | Stretch | Drape | Care |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cotton | Woven | Crisp, breathable | Little or none | Holds its shape | Easy to wash and press |
| Rayon | Woven | Soft, smooth, cool | Little or none | Falls loosely | Gentler washing |
| Cotton jersey | Knit | Soft, close to a T-shirt | Natural stretch | Clings lightly | Easy care, can lose shape if washed hot |
Cotton
Cotton is the practical choice. It breathes, washes easily and takes prints well. Because it has little stretch, the room for a growing bump has to come from the cut: gathers, panels, tie waists or a wider body. Cotton holds a zip and a front panel neatly, which is why it suits feeding kurtis and day dresses where a clean front matters.
Rayon
Rayon is soft and drapes. It falls away from the body rather than standing out, so a rayon maternity dress or nightdress looks relaxed without looking boxy. It feels cool in warm weather. Prints sit well on its smooth surface. Rayon usually needs gentler washing than cotton, and the care label should say so clearly.
Cotton jersey
Cotton jersey is a knit, like a T-shirt fabric, with natural stretch. It moves with the body and is comfortable when someone is sitting, lying down or feeding. A jersey overlay lifts easily over a side slit, which makes it a natural fit for nursing tops. It also suits lounge-style dresses and nightwear.
Matching fabric to style
| Style | Fabrics we offer | When to choose which |
|---|---|---|
| Maternity dress | Cotton, rayon or cotton jersey | Cotton for a neat day dress; rayon for a flowing one; jersey for a relaxed, stretchy dress |
| Feeding kurti | Cotton or rayon | Cotton for crisp everyday wear; rayon for drape and prints |
| Nursing top | Cotton or cotton jersey | Jersey for stretch and an easy overlay; cotton for a smarter look |
| Maternity nightwear | Cotton, rayon or cotton jersey | Rayon for a cool, soft feel; cotton for easy washing; jersey for the most relaxed fit |
How fabric and feeding opening work together
The fabric affects how well each feeding opening works in daily use.
- Vertical zip under a front panel. Works well in cotton and rayon. Cotton keeps the panel flat over the zip. In rayon the panel drapes more, which hides the zip line softly. A zip in a stretchy jersey can ripple, so we usually suggest another opening for jersey styles.
- Side slits under an overlay. Works well in cotton jersey, where the overlay lifts and settles back easily. In rayon it also works, with a softer fall. In crisp cotton the overlay can stand away a little more.
- Button or snap front. Works in all three fabrics. In jersey, the placket needs to be stable so the buttons sit straight.
We confirm the opening type for each style when we quote, and the sample shows how it behaves in your chosen fabric.
Comfort, care and the shopper’s routine
A maternity shopper may wear the same few pieces often, sometimes for long stretches of a day and night. Think about how the fabric holds up:
- Washing. Nursing wear gets washed often. Cotton and cotton jersey handle frequent washing well. Rayon needs gentler care, so make the instructions plain on the label and listing.
- Softness at the neck and seams. Pair soft fabrics with soft printed labels or inside-neck prints, so nothing rubs.
- Climate. In hot, humid markets, cotton and rayon in lighter weights feel cooler. In cooler markets, cotton jersey or a cotton with more body may suit nightwear better.
- Sheerness. Pale colours in light fabrics can be sheer. Hold the swatch to the light, and choose a deeper colour or a heavier quality if needed.
Colours and prints
Solid colours and printed fabric are available from our options. Soft neutrals and gentle prints are common in maternity wear, but your brand decides. The colour split per style is confirmed at quotation, as it depends on fabric availability. Fabric is sourced to your approved swatch, so the bulk matches what you signed off.
Many brands keep one fabric across a style family for consistency, for example rayon for all nightwear and cotton for all feeding kurtis. That makes reorders simpler and keeps the range looking unified.
Testing fabric on the sample
A swatch shows colour and handle. A sample shows how the fabric behaves with the opening, how it drapes over a bump, and how it washes. Order a sample of each style in the fabric you prefer, wash it once following the care label, and try the opening several times.
Our guide on how to start a maternity wear brand explains where sampling fits in the order.
Tell us the styles you want, the climate your shoppers live in and the look you are after, and we will suggest a fabric and opening for each. Send colours, sizes and quantities, and we will prepare a quotation.