What is marl fabric and how to keep it looking good

Short answer: What is marl fabric? It is yarn blended from fibres in several colours, which gives the surface a slightly speckled look. It stays looking good if you wash it gently, avoid high heat and deal with pilling. Here is a simple guide for menswear.

What is marl fabric

Marl fabric, also known as melange, is made from yarn in which fibres of different shades are blended. That gives a surface with small flecks and a soft, uneven colour tone. You meet it most often on sweat, hoodies and t-shirts, where the effect is a little more muted than in a plain fabric.

Why it looks the way it does

The speckles are not dirt or a fault, but an effect of the yarn. Because the shades blend, the fabric looks less uniform and can hide small bits of lint and tiny marks more easily than a plain fabric. Many people therefore find that marl clothing looks neat for longer.

Washing so the colour lasts

Wash marl clothing at a low temperature on a gentle programme and always follow the care label. Turn the clothes inside out so the surface is rubbed less. The speckled colour fades less visibly than a plain one, but high heat and hard rubbing can still make clothes look worn.

Sweat in marl tones

When you look for bamboo sweat for men, you may meet both plain and marl tones. The choice is a matter of taste and depends on what else you wear. Bamboo in clothing is viscose made from bamboo and can be blended with other fibres, so always check the composition on the label.

Pilling and wear

Like all knitted fabrics, marl fabric can form small pills where clothing rubs, for example under the arms. Wash it inside out, avoid mixing it with clothes with zips or hook and loop, and take pills off gently by hand. That way the clothes look neater for longer.

Drying without losing shape

High heat in the tumble dryer can make knitted fabrics shrink and wear faster. Let the clothes dry on a rack in the shade if the label allows it, and pull them into shape while damp. That helps both shape and colour hold up over time.

A hoodie with a marl look

A marl bamboo hoodie for men works well day to day, because the pattern is calm. You judge the fit as with other hoodies: shoulder seam at the shoulder, sleeves to the wrist and a length that ends around the waistband. Marl changes the look, not the size.

A t-shirt under the sweat

Under a marl sweat, one of the bamboo T-shirts for men in a plain shade that resembles one of the tones in the blend works well. Then the combination looks calm. Wash the two pieces on the same principles, so they age evenly and keep going well together.

Frequently asked questions

Is marl fabric harder to keep clean?

On the contrary. The speckled surface often hides small bits of lint and tiny marks more easily than plain fabric, but you should still wash it according to the care label.

Does marl clothing fade?

All dyed clothing can become a little paler over time. A low temperature, washing inside out and drying away from direct sun help the colour last longer.

Can I remove pills from marl fabric?

Yes, pills can be taken off gently by hand. Do not pull hard on the fabric, and wash the clothes inside out to reduce friction.