What Is Crimplene? A Guide to Vintage Fashion's Favourite Fabric | Teri England Attire

If you've spent any time browsing vintage clothing, you'll have come across the word "crimplene" more than once. It's one of the defining fabrics of 1960s and 70s fashion, and there's a good reason so many vintage pieces made from it have survived in excellent condition decades later. But what actually is it?

The Short Answer

Crimplene is a thick, textured polyester fabric that was invented by ICI (Imperial Chemical Industries) in the UK in the early 1960s. It was developed at their plant in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, and quickly became one of the most popular fabrics in British fashion.

The name itself comes from the Crimple Valley near Harrogate where the factory was based. So it's about as British as a fabric can get.

Why Was It So Popular?

Crimplene ticked every box for 1960s life. It was crease-resistant, easy to wash, quick to dry, and held its shape beautifully. For a generation of women who were increasingly busy and independent, a dress that looked smart without needing constant ironing was a revelation.

It also took colour and pattern brilliantly. Bold geometric prints, bright block colours, and sharp contrasts all looked fantastic in crimplene. It had enough weight and structure to hold the clean A-line and shift dress silhouettes that defined mod fashion, but it wasn't heavy or uncomfortable to wear.

At its peak in the late 60s and early 70s, crimplene was everywhere. Dresses, suits, coats, skirts, trousers — if it was in a high street shop window, there's a good chance it was crimplene.

What Does It Feel Like?

If you've never handled crimplene, imagine a fabric that's somewhere between a thick jersey and a woven polyester. It has a slight texture to it — almost a very fine waffle or crepe effect on the surface. It's smooth but not slippery, and it has a satisfying weight that makes garments hang well.

It's also remarkably durable. We regularly handle crimplene dresses from the 1960s that are in near-perfect condition. The fabric simply doesn't wear out the way natural fibres can.

How to Care for Crimplene

This is the beauty of it — crimplene is incredibly low-maintenance. Most crimplene garments can be machine washed on a cool cycle or hand washed with no issues. It dries quickly and rarely needs ironing. If it does get a crease, a low-heat iron or a quick steam sorts it out.

The main thing to avoid is high heat. Don't tumble dry on a hot setting and don't iron on high — polyester and high temperatures don't mix. But honestly, crimplene is about as close to a wash-and-wear fabric as you'll find.

Why Vintage Crimplene Is Worth Collecting

The original crimplene pieces from the 1960s and 70s have a quality that modern polyester simply can't match. The fabric was produced to a higher standard, the prints and colours were designed to be bold and striking, and the garments were often beautifully constructed with attention to detail that fast fashion doesn't offer.

A good crimplene dress from the 1960s will last another 60 years with proper care. That's not just vintage fashion — that's genuine sustainability.

At Teri England Attire, crimplene is one of our favourite fabrics. You'll find original crimplene dresses, suits, and skirts throughout our women's collections — each one hand-selected for quality, condition and style. Browse the collection and see for yourself.