Types of Jersey Fabric: A Complete Guide to Jersey Clothing Material

Jersey is a knitted fabric used in T-shirts, activewear, dresses, and sports jerseys. It comes in several types — single jersey, double jersey, interlock, cotton, polyester, stretch, and viscose — each suited to different garments and performance needs.

The global textile market was valued at roughly USD 1.16 trillion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 1.61 trillion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of about 4.2%. This steady growth reflects rising demand for versatile, comfortable materials like jersey across fashion and activewear.

This guide walks through the main types of jersey fabric, their properties, and where each performs best. You’ll also see how apparel brands can source and customize jersey fabric with RajcoUsa l to build collections that balance style with performance.

What Is Jersey Fabric?

Jersey fabric is a knitted textile, not a woven one. It’s made by looping yarn continuously on a knitting machine rather than crossing threads over and under each other. This knit structure is what gives jersey its stretch, softness, and drape — qualities woven fabrics like denim or canvas don’t have.

The fabric gets its name from the Channel Island of Jersey, where it was first knitted from wool for fishermen’s sweaters. Cotton and synthetic versions came later, and jersey eventually moved from workwear into mainstream fashion.

How Jersey Fabric Is Made

Jersey is produced on circular or flat knitting machines using a single knit stitch, technically called “plain knit” or “single knit.” One set of needles loops the yarn in one direction, which produces two different faces:

• Right side (front): Smooth, flat, and vertically ribbed.
• Wrong side (back): Textured with small horizontal loops.

This one-directional knit is also why plain jersey curls at the edges when cut — a trait manufacturers account for during pattern cutting and hemming.

Key Characteristics of Jersey Material

• Stretch: Knit loops flex in multiple directions, giving jersey natural give without added elastane.
• Breathability: The loose loop structure allows airflow, making it comfortable for everyday wear.
• Drape: Jersey falls softly against the body instead of holding a stiff shape.
• Low cost to produce: Simpler knit construction than double-knit fabrics, which keeps production costs lower.

Types of Jersey Fabric

There isn’t one single “jersey fabric” — the term covers a family of knits that vary by structure and fiber content. Below are the main types apparel brands and designers work with.

Single Jersey

Single jersey is the base version of the fabric, knitted with one set of needles on one bed. It’s lightweight, has a smooth face and textured back, and is the most common and affordable jersey type.

• Best for: T-shirts, lightweight dresses, casual tops, undergarments.
• Trade-off: Curls at raw edges and has less structure than double-knit alternatives.

Double Jersey

Double jersey is knitted with two sets of needles, producing a thicker, more stable fabric that looks the same on both sides and doesn’t curl at the edges.

• Best for: Jackets, structured skirts, trousers, midweight outerwear.
• Trade-off: Less stretch and breathability than single jersey.

Interlock Jersey

Interlock is a double-knit variation where two layers of single jersey are knitted together and interlocked, creating a dense, identical surface on both sides.

• Best for: Baby clothing, premium T-shirts, sportswear, sleepwear, uniforms.
• Trade-off: Heavier and less breathable than single jersey; higher production cost.

Cotton Jersey

Cotton jersey refers to the fiber content rather than the knit structure — it’s jersey knitted from 100% cotton or cotton-dominant blends.

• Best for: Everyday T-shirts, loungewear, pajamas, hoodies.
• Trade-off: Wrinkles more than synthetic blends and shrinks if not pre-treated.

Stretch Jersey (Spandex/Lycra Blend)

Stretch jersey blends cotton, polyester, or viscose with a small percentage of elastane (spandex/Lycra), typically 2–8%. This addition gives the fabric significant stretch and shape recovery beyond what the knit structure alone provides.

• Best for: Leggings, sports bras, swimwear, fitted dresses, activewear.
• Trade-off: Costs more to produce than 100% cotton or polyester jersey.

Polyester Jersey

Polyester jersey is knitted from synthetic polyester fiber, prized for durability, moisture-wicking, and shape retention through repeated washing.

• Best for: Sports jerseys, performance wear, uniforms, team kits.
• Trade-off: Less breathable than natural fibers unless specifically engineered with moisture-wicking finishes.

Viscose Jersey

Also called rayon jersey, this type uses viscose fiber — a semi-synthetic material made from wood pulp — to produce a soft, silky fabric with strong drape.

• Best for: Blouses, flowing dresses, skirts, cardigans.
• Trade-off: Weaker when wet and requires more careful laundering than cotton or polyester.

Ponte Jersey

Ponte (short for ponte di roma) is a heavier double-knit jersey, usually a polyester-rayon-spandex blend, known for holding its shape well without feeling stiff.

• Best for: Structured dresses, blazers, pants, and pieces that need to hold a silhouette.
• Trade-off: Warmer and less suited to hot-climate or lightweight garments.

Jersey Fabric Types Comparison Table

Jersey Clothing Material — Common Uses by Garment

Casualwear & Basics

Cotton and single jersey dominate this category because they’re breathable, affordable, and easy to print on — ideal for T-shirts, loungewear, and everyday tops.

Activewear & Athleisure

Stretch jersey with elastane and polyester jersey cover this segment, since both hold shape through movement and repeated washing better than natural-fiber-only fabrics.

Dresses & Womenswear

Viscose jersey and ponte jersey are the standard picks here — viscose for flowing, draped silhouettes, and ponte for structured, fitted pieces.

Sports Jersey Fabric Material — What Makes It Different

Sports jerseys have different performance requirements than everyday clothing, which is why polyester jersey — not cotton — is the industry standard.

Moisture-Wicking & Performance Needs

Polyester fibers pull sweat away from the skin to the fabric surface, where it evaporates faster than it would from cotton. Cotton absorbs moisture and holds onto it, which is why it stays damp and heavy during physical activity — a poor fit for team sports.

Best Fabrics for Team Uniforms & Jerseys

• Polyester jersey: Standard for durability, quick-drying performance, and sublimation printing compatibility.
• Interlock knits: Used for a firmer, more durable jersey that holds up to repeated stretching and washing.
• Poly-spandex blends: Added stretch for jerseys that need to move with the athlete’s body.

Jersey Fabric Weight (GSM) Guide

Fabric weight is measured in GSM (grams per square meter) and directly affects how a jersey fabric performs and drapes.

• Lightweight (120–150 GSM): T-shirts, lingerie, summer wear.
• Medium weight (150–200 GSM): Dresses, casual wear, activewear.
• Heavyweight (200+ GSM): Sweatshirts, structured garments, outerwear.

Picking the wrong GSM for a garment category is one of the most common sourcing mistakes — too light and structured pieces lose shape; too heavy and casual pieces lose breathability.

Jersey Fabric vs. Other Knits

• Jersey vs. Piqué: Piqué has a textured, waffle-like surface (used in polo shirts) and holds its shape better than jersey, but it’s less stretchy and less soft.
• Jersey vs. French Terry: French terry has looped, uncut backing for extra warmth (used in sweatshirts); jersey is thinner and smoother on both sides.
• Jersey vs. Rib Knit: Rib knit has raised vertical ridges and more stretch/recovery, commonly used for cuffs, collars, and fitted tops, while jersey is smoother and flatter.

How to Care for Jersey Fabric

• Wash cold, on gentle cycle to minimize shrinkage and fiber breakdown.
• Avoid high heat drying — tumble dry low or air dry, especially for cotton and viscose jersey.
• Turn garments inside out before washing to reduce surface pilling.
• Skip fabric softener on moisture-wicking polyester jersey, since it can coat fibers and reduce wicking performance.

Custom Jersey Fabric Sourcing for Apparel Brands

RAJCO USA works with startups, private labels, and established brands to source and manufacture custom jersey fabric — from raw material selection through finished garment production.

What We Offer

• Fabric sourcing: Cotton, polyester, viscose, and stretch jersey blends.
• Low MOQ production: Suited to startups testing new collections.
• Color and print customization: Pantone-matched dyeing, sublimation, screen printing, and digital printing.
• GSM flexibility: Lightweight, medium, and heavyweight options across all jersey types.
• End-to-end manufacturing: Sampling, cutting, sewing, finishing, and quality control.

Conclusion

Jersey fabric covers a wide range of knit structures and fiber blends — from lightweight single jersey and breathable cotton jersey to performance-driven polyester jersey and structured ponte. The right choice depends on the garment: casualwear favors cotton or single jersey, activewear calls for stretch or polyester jersey, and structured pieces need double jersey or ponte.

Sourcing the correct jersey type and GSM for your product line is the difference between garments that hold up and ones that don’t. If you’re developing a collection and need help selecting or sourcing jersey fabric, Rajco Usa for fabric sourcing, low MOQ production, and full manufacturing support.

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