French terry is a cotton-based knit fabric with a looped (terry) inner face and a smooth outer face — unlike woven terry cloth it's knitted, and unlike fleece it is never brushed. That looped inside traps a little air for light warmth while staying breathable, which is why it's the standard fabric for sweatshirts, hoodies and joggers.
How French Terry Is Made
- Construction: a ground yarn and a looped yarn form small loops on the inner face while the outer face stays flat and smooth
- Fiber: most commonly 100% combed cotton, or cotton-lycra blends for added stretch
- GSM: 240–340 depending on weight class
- Finish: unbrushed — the key difference from fleece, which is brushed to raise a soft pile
French Terry vs. Fleece
| Property | French Terry | Fleece (Polar) |
|---|---|---|
| Inner surface | Looped, unbrushed | Brushed pile |
| Warmth | Light-to-medium | Higher |
| Season | Year-round, mid-season | Winter |
French terry is the fabric behind most premium sweatshirts, joggers and loungewear sets — anywhere a brand wants a soft-hand, breathable fabric that still holds a garment's shape.
Altunkaya Tekstil produces french terry fabric at 240–300 GSM, 100% combed cotton or cotton-lycra — min. 50 kg per color, 2–5 day delivery. WhatsApp: +90 536 304 67 29