Marled fabrics

Short answer: A marled fabric is knitted from yarn in two or more shades. The result is a surface with depth that hides stains and wear better than a plain colour. That makes marled fabrics a practical choice for clothes you wear often.

Two shades in the same yarn

Marl appears when the yarn is spun from fibres in different tones. When the yarn is knitted into fabric, light and dark fibres sit scattered among each other, and the surface gets a slightly flecked look. Grey marl is the best known, but the idea works with many colours, including clothes worn close to the body. See bamboo panties.

It hides the most of all

An irregular surface makes stains hard to spot. The eye has no even background to compare the stain with, so it blends into the fabric. That applies both to dark food stains and to light marks from dust and lint. For clothes you spend many hours in at home, that is a real advantage. See bamboo sweatshirt for women.

Fading barely shows

All clothes lose a little colour over time, especially after many washes. On a plain surface this can show as a dull or uneven tone. When the surface already varies, even colour loss hardly shows. A marled piece can therefore look fresh for longer, even though the colour changes in the same way. See all women's clothing.

Wear hides too

Areas that see a lot of friction, such as knees, elbows and seat, can turn slightly lighter or shinier over time. On a plain surface that is obvious. On a marled surface it disappears into the variation. That makes marl a good choice for sweat clothes and loungewear that get the most use.

Easy to combine

From a distance, marl often reads as a calm colour, almost plain. Grey marl goes with most things, and so do marled shades of beige and blue. You can therefore use a marled piece as you would a plain one, while adding a little more depth to the outfit.

Wash marl gently

Marled fabric is washed like other clothes in the same colour group. Use a low temperature, a mild detergent and turn the piece inside out. Avoid washing it with things that shed a lot of lint, because although lint shows less on marl, it still settles in the fabric. Let it air dry to keep its shape.

The dirt is still there

Marl hiding stains does not mean it can be washed less often. Sweat and skin oils settle in the fabric just as they do on plain clothes. Colour only changes when you see the dirt. So keep a regular washing routine, and your clothes stay fresh and soft.

When marl makes the most sense

Marl is a good choice for clothes worn often and hard that should look neat between washes. That covers sweat clothes, loungewear and basics you put on almost every day. If you want a completely clean, crisp surface, plain is still the right choice.

Frequently asked questions

What is a marled fabric

A fabric knitted from yarn in two or more shades. The surface gets depth instead of being completely even, which gives it a slightly flecked look.

Why does marl hide the most

Because the eye has no even surface to compare with. A stain on a varied surface is hard to spot, whether it is light or dark.

Does marl fade less

It shows less. The colour loss happens in the same way, but on a varied surface it is almost impossible to notice, so the piece looks fresh for longer.