Cotton is the most widely used natural textile fibre at American Vintage - season after season, it accounts for almost half of our collections. Produced from the cotton flower, this natural fibre is appreciated for its many qualities. As well as being soft and comfortable it is:

1. Hypoallergenic: because of its natural origin, sensitive skin tolerates cotton very well in general.

2. Heat regulating: known for its breathability, cotton allows air to circulate, helping regulate body temperature and provide a sense of well-being. So it is our best friend whatever the season.

3. Absorbent: with a very high absorption capacity, cotton keeps the skin dry.

4. Easy care: pure or mixed with other materials, cotton fibre is hard-wearing and will last for years.

At AMV, cotton comes in many forms:

• Supima® cotton: this cotton generally comes from end-of-life clothes or clothing production offcuts. This process means existing cotton fibres can be reused rather than growing new cotton plants, reducing demand for raw materials and environmental impact. In 2023-2024, recycled cotton represented 15% of our cotton range.

• Recycled cotton: this cotton generally comes from end-of-life clothes or clothing production offcuts. This process means existing cotton fibres can be reused rather than growing new cotton plants, reducing demand for raw materials and environmental impact. In 2023-2024, recycled cotton represented 15% of our cotton range.

• Organically farmed cotton : this fabric is a more sustainable alternative to conventional cotton, with farming methods that are kinder to the environment using less water and only natural fertilisers. In 2023-2024, organically farmed cotton represented 18% of our cotton range.

Linen is a fabric made from flax fibre. Flax is a plant in the Linaceaefamily grown mainly for its long, strong fibres. Its qualities makes it a very popular fabric, especially in summer. Linen is also popular because it is:

1. Hypoallergenic: because of its natural origin, sensitive skin tolerates linen very well in general.

2. Absorbent: linen is highly absorbent and can hold up to 20% of its weight in water without becoming damp. The fabric can ‘breathe’ and wick away moisture making it comfortable to wear, especially in the warmer months.

3. Heat regulating: linen has a natural ability to regulate temperature. It keeps the skin cool in hot weather and provides a feeling of warmth in winter.

4. Long-lasting: linen is a very resistant fibre, both strong and durable over time. It ages well and keeps its shape, even after several washes.

5. Unique: linen is known for its irregular appearance and dry feel. It is appreciated for its texture and resistance.

Wool is one of the oldest and most widely used natural animal fibres in the textile world. Its fibres are thick and strong. Wool is particularly prized for its softness and for the following qualities:

1. Heat regulating: wool is valued for its ability to regulate temperature. It retains body heat even at the coldest temperatures.

2. Elastic and resistant: wool is naturally elastic, which means that wool clothes keep their shape.

3. Easy care: contrary to what you might think, wool clothes are easy to care for. They don't need to be washed frequently because they have "self-cleaning" properties. If they are not dirty, simply air them to preserve their texture and shape without damaging the fibre.

At AMV, we use different types of wool:

• Alpaca: alpaca has a fine, long, hollow fibre that gives clothes a fluffy look. Six times warmer than regular wool, it is very soft to the touch.

• Mohair: mohair has thick, curly and shiny fibres. It is very hard-wearing.

• Cashmere: cashmere is famous for its exceptional fine fibres, making it a top-of-the-range product. It is also appreciated for its strength, warmth and extreme softness.

Did you know? ? In 2024, a new range made its début in the American Vintage collections: RAXOW. It features 60 to 71% RWS* wool. Products labelled Responsible Wool Standard (RWS) are made with wool from farms that have been recognised and certified for good animal welfare and land management. In 2025, AMV is extending its RAXOW range and working on a second family of RWS products.

*SARL AARON (American Vintage) is RWS certified by ECOCERT GREENLIFE - 279937. Only products with the RWS logo are certified.

Leather has featured in a number of accessories and clothes in past AMV collections but will no longer be used. Instead, we are opting for artificial materials.

Often referred to as "artificial silk" because of its shiny, soft appearance, viscose is made with cellulose derived from wood pulp. Viscose is valued for the following qualities:

1. Soft and flowing: its texture is silky and fluid, making it a popular choice for light, comfortable clothes.

2. Good absorbency: viscose is highly absorbent, making it ideal for summer clothes.

3. Thermal comfort: viscose is breathable and keeps you cool in summer.

4. Gloss: its finish is smooth and more or less shiny, adding elegance to clothes.

Modal is a fibre derived from viscose, made with cellulose from wood pulp. More resistant, modal is easier to care for and keeps its shape and colours better while remaining very soft and comfortable to wear.

Lyocell is a fibre derived from cellulose in wood, often eucalyptus, beech or pine. It is appreciated for the following qualities:

1. Hypoallergenic: sensitive skin tolerates lyocell very well in general.

2. Comfort and softness: particularly soft, lyocell’s texture is smooth and silky for superior comfort.

3. Breathability: lyocell is highly breathable and allows moisture to evaporate quickly keeping skin cool and dry.

4. Absorbency : lyocell is highly absorbent, up to 50% more than cotton.

5. Resistant to moisture and keeps its shape: unlike viscose, lyocell is particularly resistant when wet and does not misshape or rip easily, increasing its durability.

6. Glossy and flowing appearance: lyocell has a beautiful natural gloss and fluidity, as well as a fresh feel.

Cupro is an artificial textile fibre obtained from dissolved plant cellulose from cotton or flax. With its soft and silky peach-skin feel, it is visually recognisable by its bleached effect. Breathable and absorbent, it is comfortable in all seasons and easy to care for.

Synthetic materials like polyamide, polyester, acrylic and elastane have their place in the clothing world because they have a number of functional qualities:

1. When combined with natural fibres such as wool, they improve its stability and make care and washing easier.

2. Used for technical clothes, these materials offer advantages such as waterproofing and water repellency.

3. They provide comfort and ease of movement thanks to their flexibility and elasticity.

4. Synthetic fibres give our clothes a more structured fit and a more pronounced shape, allowing us to play with volume and layers, which has become the signature of our outfits and collections.