Fabric Expo Reflects Industry Transformation: Fall 2025 Trends Highlight Functionality and Sustainability

The 2025 China International TextileFabrics & Accessories Fair, the largest industry exhibition in China,recently concluded. It has always been a barometer for observing the directionof the apparel industry. This year’s event clearlyconveyed the structural changes the industry is undergoing—not only in the fabrics themselves but also in the shift in theindustry’s mindset and competitive logic.

1. The Activewear Trend Continues, withWomen’s Fabrics Embracing Mix-and-Match 

The most noticeable change at the expo wasthe shift in product focus. Traditional fashion fabric sections for women’s apparel noticeably shrank, while functional fabrics andaccessories for outdoor sports and yoga wear significantly expanded, confirmingthe ongoing rise of the athleisure trend. 

Women’s fabrics arenow leaning toward mixed styles, with cotton-linen-Tencel blends becomingmarket favorites. In contrast, traditional materials like pure cotton, purelinen, lace, and chiffon, which once dominated the market, have seen a notabledecline. This shift reflects consumers’ growing demandfor comfort and practicality, driving diversification in fabric composition.

2. Increased International Presence, withSustainability in Practice 

The number of international exhibitors grewsignificantly, with expanded sections from Japan, South Korea, Italy, and HongKong, bringing more diverse options and innovative ideas to the Chinesemarket. 

Sustainability is no longer just amarketing concept but a tangible product direction. Recycled materials werehighlighted by many exhibitors, with recycled polyester fibers beingparticularly widespread. Although some perceive recycled materials as lesspremium, their eco-friendly properties are gaining recognition amonginternational brands, making resource recycling an industry consensus.

3. Functional Innovation Replaces VisualInnovation 

The direction of fabric innovation hasshifted noticeably—from focusing on weaving techniquesand visual effects to emphasizing practical functions. Features likemoisture-wicking, sun protection, antibacterial properties, and temperaturecontrol have become new highlights. Fabrics are transitioning from competing onaesthetics to competing on functionality. 

The value of fabrics in apparel is beingredefined. While competition in the industry previously centered on design, ithas now entered an era of dual competition: "aesthetics +functionality." Fabrics are no longer backstage players but strategicelements for brand differentiation.

The development of outdoor functionalfabrics has been particularly prominent and is now extending into fashion. Thiscontinues the trend of sporty fashion from 2000–2020,while the next 10–20 years may see the era offunctional fashion. Currently, functionality focuses on areas like sunprotection and antibacterial properties, but as climate issues intensify,self-regulating temperature fabrics could become the next breakthrough(relevant technologies already exist—the key isachieving commercial adoption).

Fabric classification is also evolving,moving from traditional categorization by composition or function to morediverse "scenario-based classification." New categories like"urban commute fabrics" and "light urban active fabrics"reflect the industry’s focus on consumers’ actual wearing scenarios. 

Sustainable fashion has become mainstreamin the fabric sector. Major brands’ emphasis on ESG hasdriven the widespread use of recycled materials, from recycled polyester tobio-based fibers like crab shell and reed grass. Raw material innovation isincreasingly diverse, and recycling is becoming a major trend.

The 2025 fabric expo reveals an industry intransformation: shifting from pursuing form to emphasizing function, fromsingle categories to cross-border integration, and from conceptual marketing totangible sustainable practices. These changes not only reflect evolving marketdemands but also signal that the apparel industry is entering a new phase—one that is more rational, diverse, and responsibility-driven.

Fabric selection has always been a balancebetween function and aesthetics, with cost being a critical factor.Sustainability is a positive direction, but it shouldn’tbe pursued for its own sake. However, if sustainable fabrics can significantlyenhance a product’s competitiveness, why not embracethem?

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