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Broadcloth is a shirt weight fabric most commonly made of cotton or cotton blends. It is plain weave with a very fine horizontal rib.

In the U.K., broadcloth is virtually synonymous with poplin. In the U.S. and Canada, poplin is considered a heavier fabric. Cotton broadcloth was introduced from England in the 1920s, and as it was a fine poplin, it was given a name to distinguish it from poplin. Broadcloth was originally a name given to fabrics wider than 27”; applying this name to the shirting fabric was fanciful.

There is also a similarly made fabric of silk, silk broadcloth.

Uses: Shirts, dresses, sleepwear

See also:
Broadcloth, wool type
Poplin


Cotton broadcloth
Silk broadcloth