Heather (fabric)

In clothing, heather refers to interwoven yarns of mixed colors, and possibly the type of fiber, producing another color.[1] It is typically used to mix multiple shades of grey or grey with another color to produce a muted shade (e.g., heather green), but any two colors can be mixed, including bright colors.

Heather yarn is more expensive than other yarn. It is sometimes referred to as a frosting color.

A mixed fabric color is achieved by using different colors of fiber and mixing them together (a good example is a grey heather t-shirt). Black and white fiber mixed will combine to give grey heather fiber. Heather is blended fibers combined to create a multicolored effect. Heather fabric typically contains three fibers: cotton, polyester or rayon. Heather grey fabric is never 100% Cotton. Another fiber must always be added with the cotton in order to achieve the necessary color.

It is important to note that depending on the percent of cotton, the fabric can still be legally labeled 100% cotton.[2]