Animal based natural fibers are derived from animals. Examples include wool from sheep or silk from silkworms.

is often used as a synonym for viscose. See viscose.
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In beam dyeing, the fabric is wrapped around a roller and the dye is pressed through the fabric from the inside under pressure. This dyeing method is gentle on the surface of the fabric as it causes less stress. The process is only used for non-elastic fabrics, as elastic fabrics stretch differently. In addition, moiré effects often occur with viscose, for example.

Natural fibers like cotton or wool are not naturally pure white, which is why they are bleached with hydrogen peroxide. This way the yellow undertone vanishes and the result is a pure white. When dyeing the fabric later on, the intended colour can be achieved more easily.

A blend is a fabric composition made out of different fibers. Both natural fibers and chemical fibers can be mixed with both natural and chemical fibers. Examples of blends are wool and silk or elastane and cotton. The new fabric composition usually integrates all the advantages of all the base fibers mixed into the blend.

is made from the remains of the combed top layer of the cocoon. The fibers are spun coarsely. Bourrette silk has many nubs and is dull.

Obtained from the cashmere goat, it is considered the most luxurious wool. The goats are not shorn, but combed once a year. Only the undercoat is used, which is a particularly soft and supple material.
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Cellulose fibers are produced out of the natural commodity wood. Cellulose is changed from natural polymers to spinning mass and consequently spun to cellulose fibers. They belong to the group of chemical fibers, but are not synthetic fibers. Examples are viscose, Tencel, and Modal.

Chambray is woven in a plain weave. It is typically a lightweight cotton or linen fabric with coloured weft threads, often checked or striped.

The raw material for the production of cellulose fibres is the natural product wood (e.g. spruce and beech). Cellulose is converted from natural polymers into a spinning mass and then spun into fibres. Examples of cellulose fibres are modal and viscose. Cellulose fibres are not synthetic fibres. Synthetic fibres are produced purely chemically; they are artificially spun from synthetic molecules. Examples of synthetic fibres are polyester, polyamide and elastane.

produces a tube in upper body length, in order to achieve seamless fabrics. For each size there has to be a different machine.

Combing is a finishing technique that is only used on raw fibres, not on yarns, twisted yarns or fabrics. Combing should result in an even and firm surface. Technical process: The cotton fibres are combed. This separates the short fibres and aligns the long ones. Only then are the fibres spun into yarn (approx. 15% to 18% of the cotton fibres are combed out).

is a yarn with an elastic core, for example a cotton yarn with an elastane core.

Cotton is a natural plant fibre obtained from the cotton plant. Cotton is not processed in its raw state, but is first spun into threads.
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Cupro, also known as ‘copper silk’, is a pure regenerated cellulose fibre produced from cotton linter using a stretch spinning process. Cupro is characterised by a silky-soft feel combined with a subtle sheen. The material is breathable, quickly absorbs moisture, regulates temperature and is therefore pure comfort on the skin. A material born in nature and biodegradable.

is the production process of various silk qualities. The raw silk yarn is degummed by boiling it in a soap bath. The more the silk is degummed, the glossier the silk appears and the higher the perceived quality.

Dtex are decitex, where 1 dtex corresponds to 1 gram per 10,000 meters of yarn. See Tex.

Dyeing can be carried out at almost every stage of the textile processing chain: fibres, yarns, fabric panels or finished products. A wide variety of dyeing methods are used depending on the raw material. At HANRO, the quality of the colours, colour fastness and colour brilliance are key factors in the design and appearance of each collection.

is a very elastic chemical fiber yarn. It is often used for plating elastic fabrics.

is a synthetic fiber which is often mixed with other fibers in order to increase their elasticity. By mixing elastane into the blend, the fabric gains an increased rebound force and therefore keeps its shape.

The viscose used in our Basic Satin Deluxe series (as well as various trend series made from the same base material) is the finest viscose on the market (E50, 50 needles per inch), manufactured by ENKA®. ENKA® uses only cellulose obtained from sustainable forestry, which has been certified as a ‘Responsible Fiber’ by the Fairtrade organisation and is produced in Germany and Poland.

also called broderie anglaise is a form of embroidery where patterns are embroidered onto cotton fabrics. Then, holes (called eyelets) are cut out, the eyelets being part of the pattern. At the end the bands are embroidered again. The result is a beautiful and noble look. It is often used for light nightwear.

A basic distinction can be made between knitted and woven fabrics. In knitted fabrics, loops are formed by interlocking threads. This creates stitches that are made up of one or more threads. In woven fabrics, the fabric is produced by crossing two sets of threads.

is retrieved from the short fibers of the top layer of the cocoon. As the top layer cannot be unrolled, it has to be plucked off and combed. The resulting silk resembles naturally colored cotton.

is a knitted fabric with a fine rightright binding. Thus, on both sides of the fabric alternating right and left meshes are visible. Fine rib has a high elasticity, so it nestles perfectly to the body and adapts to movement. That is why fine rib is especially suited for undergarments.

Knitted fabric. One side is flat, firm and brushed (usually on the outside), while the other (usually on the inside) has the usual looped appearance. Thicker and heavier than jersey, but with a fine surface texture (on the outside). Particularly suitable for sweatshirts.

With fully fashion technology, the item comes out of the machine as a finished product, including knitted seams and waistbands. No cutting is necessary anymore – the only thing left to do is attach finishing details like strap adjusters.

Only used on yarns, twisted yarns and fabrics, not on raw fibres. The aim is to achieve an evenly smooth surface. During gassing, the protruding fibre ends of the yarn are burned off over a flame. During singeing, the protruding fibres are burned off the finished fabric. This results in a smoother surface and increased strength of the material.

The gauge indicates how many needles are used to knit one English inch (= 2.54 cm). The finest gauge, E 50, therefore means 50 needles (= 50 stitches) per inch, which in turn results in a needle size of 5 mm. The gauge and the quality of the knitted yarn are decisive for the quality and appearance of the fabric.

Gauze, is a lightweight, translucent fabric. Double gauze or muslin is made by placing two layers of fabric on top of each other and weaving them together at specific points. This creates a loose, slightly transparent, fine fabric with a soft feel. Muslin is breathable and gentle on the skin. Gauze can also be made from silk, but is mainly made from cotton.

Giza cotton is grown in the Nile Valley in Egypt. It has particularly long fibres measuring 33–38 mm and an exceptionally fine micronaire value. These values show that all Giza qualities are particularly high-quality cotton, thanks to the ideal climate for cotton cultivation around the Nile Delta.
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is one hundred percent degummed silk. One of the most expensive types of silk, it is commonly woven into atlas silk, silk damask, or duchess silk.

Our production site has been certified according to the latest G.O.T.S. (Global Organic Textile Standard) sustainability standards.

The GRS is an international, voluntary, comprehensive product standard that sets requirements for the independent certification of recycled materials, the product chain of social and environmental practices, and chemical restrictions. GRS-certified recycled fibres are obtained through upcycling from old clothes or industrial waste. The sustainable yarn produced from this reduces the spinning and dyeing process, thereby guaranteeing savings in water and energy. It is manufactured in an ethical, ecologically responsible production system.

In guipure embroidery (also known as etched embroidery), a motif is embroidered onto a base fabric (e.g. cotton or viscose yarn on synthetic fabric). The base fabric is then dissolved. This is a very complex process, which makes the embroidery precious and expensive. A wide variety of looks are possible, e.g. textured looks, graphic patterns and delicate, fine embroidery.

is used as a collective term for the finishing of textiles made from plant fibers, cellulose fibers, or their blends. In most cases synthetic resin is used to reduce the swelling of the fibers. This way the textile becomes more stable in form, develops higher crease resistance, and dries faster.

Hole embroidery, also known as broderie anglaise, is a subcategory of Madeira embroidery. Motifs are embroidered onto cotton fabrics, then the holes are punched or drilled out – the resulting holes form part of the motif. Finally, the ribbons are embroidered again. The result is a beautiful, elegant look – HANRO likes to use this embroidery on light and airy nightwear.

is a fine double-faced circular knitted fabric that has right meshes on both sides. Interlock has a dense mesh structure and great form stability and is less elastic than fine rib. Therefore it is especially suited for nightwear.

is a Raschel lace. The lace is produced on Raschel machines, with an additional Jacquard fixture. This way several varying patterns can be produced.

Knitwear is divided into knitted and woven fabrics, which are made from one or more threads. The result is a piece of fabric whose threads are connected to each other with loops. Knitted and woven fabrics look the same and have the same properties; they only differ in how they are made. Compared to woven fabrics, knitwear is elastic and stretchy, fits snugly to the body and is much less prone to creasing.

Knitting is the process of producing textile mesh structures from yarns by interlacing threads, whereby the stitches in a row are formed one after the other. HANRO has its own knitting facility, and the fabrics are produced in Austria. In order to deliver the highest quality end products, HANRO uses innovative technologies for its knitting. With fully fashion technology, the article comes out of the machine as a finished product, including knitted waistbands. This means that no cutting is required. Final finishing details, such as the straps, are carried out afterwards.
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is a particularly fine and delicate lace. Thus, only fine yarns are used. This particular lace is only produced on old looms in the north of France.

is a type of lace developed by Weberlace. It is produced on especially adapted versions of Jacquardtronic machines and using special yarns. Leavertronic comes pretty close to Leavers lace in look and quality, and is a lower-price, more commercial option. Leavertronic is a registered brand.

ECOVERO™ comes from the Lenzing company. LENZING™ ECOVERO™ viscose fibres are made exclusively from certified and controlled wood sources and produced with significantly less fossil energy and water than generic viscose. They are certified with the internationally recognised EU Ecolabel. This label for environmental awareness is only awarded to products and services that have a significantly lower environmental impact throughout their entire life cycle: from raw material extraction to manufacturing, distribution and disposal. Viscose is characterised by a silky feel and subtle sheen.

Linen is made from flax and is therefore a natural fibre based on cellulose. The manufacturing process is very complex. Linen absorbs up to 35% humidity and quickly exchanges this moisture with the environment. It therefore has a cooling effect, but is still dry and insulating, making it ideal for summer clothing. Linen fibre is very tear-resistant but has low elasticity and is therefore prone to creasing. However, the material scores points with its natural shine and stability.
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is a highly elastic synthetic fiber, which belongs to the group of elastane fibers. Lycra is exclusively used in blends, e.g. as a blend with the main fiber polyamide. The proportion of the Lycra fiber in blends varies between 18 and 25 percent. Lycra blend fibers have the characteristic of being highly elastic in the length.

Another name for Tencel. See Tencel & Tencel Lyocell.
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Some of our products are MADE IN GREEN by OEKO-TEX® certified. This means that these products have been produced in an environmentally friendly factory and in safe and socially responsible workplaces. The MADE IN GREEN label also gives consumers the assurance that the textile product is made from materials that have been tested for harmful substances. In other words: - Tested for harmful substances - Produced in environmentally friendly facilities - Produced in safe and socially responsible workplaces - Traceable supply chain.
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Mercerisation is a finishing technique used on cotton yarns, twisted yarns and fabrics. The aim of mercerisation is to achieve an even smoother and shinier surface and increased strength. Process: Yarns, twisted yarns or entire fabric panels are soaked in caustic soda and stretched, causing the cotton fibres to swell and the internal structure and cross-section of the fibres to change. The cross-section becomes round and the twists disappear. NEXT GENERATION – Soft mercerisation: HANRO developed the world's first machine for the soft mercerisation of cotton. This special finishing process gives HANRO's high-quality fabrics their exceptional softness and special shine.
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Merino wool is the finely curled undercoat of Merino sheep, which are mainly bred in Australia and New Zealand. It is pure new wool and therefore wool of the highest quality. Merino wool is particularly suitable for undergarments.
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Microfiber made out of polyamide. Due to the fiber type and the fabric structure fabrics made out of Meryl are water-resistant and windproof, while having a soft and flowy feel.

shows how many needles are used in one inch (= 2.54 cm). The finest mesh spacing E50 therefore shows that in one inch 50 needles (= 50 meshes) are used for the knitting, which in return indicates a needle size of 5 mm. The mesh spacing and the quality of the used yarn are two of the most important indicators for the quality of the fabric.

Microfibres are fibres with a fineness of less than 1 dtex, meaning that 10,000 m of such a microfibre weigh a maximum of 1 g.

is used to define the fineness of cotton. The micronaire scale has the categories 2 to 8, where 2 defines the finest value and 8 the coarsest fiber. The following applies: below 3 is a very fine fabric, 3 to 3.9 is a fine fabric, 4 to 4.9 is average, 5 to 5.9 is slightly coarse, and everything above 6 is coarse.

Milk fibre is naturally sourced and obtained using an environmentally friendly process. It has a super soft, silky and therefore skin-friendly surface and is antibacterial as well as temperature and moisture regulating.

is a cellulose fiber, related to viscose. Modal is often mixed into a blend with cotton, wool, or polyester. What makes Modal so special is that it adds incredible softness, smoothness, and a glossy look to the fabric.
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Molding involves shaping a fabric into a three-dimensional form using heated metal molds. This technique allows shapes to be created without seams.

Moulded bra cups are thermoplastically preformed using heat and permanently pressed into a bust shape. Moulded cups have no annoying seams, so they do not show through tight outer garments.

Muslin, gauze or cheesecloth is a lightweight, translucent fabric with a plain weave. Double gauze or muslin is made by placing two layers of this gauze against each other and weaving them together at specific points, which makes the material less transparent. The result is a loose, fine fabric with a soft feel. Muslin is breathable and skin-friendly. Muslin can also be made from silk, but nowadays it is mainly made from cotton.

are obtained from animals. Examples: Wool from sheep and goats or silk from silkworms.

As the name suggests, natural fibres are obtained from plants. Examples of such materials are cotton and linen. Animal fibres, on the other hand, are obtained from animals, such as wool from sheep and goats or silk from silkworms.

is GMO-free. No fertilisers or pesticides are used in its cultivation, and only half as much water is used as for conventional cotton.
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Pima cotton is a type of cotton with extra-long fibres measuring 35 mm. Fabrics made from Pima cotton are therefore particularly soft, durable and less prone to pilling than conventional cotton products.
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is a type of weave where the weft and warp thread are especially tightly crossed. Each warp thread is alternatively placed above or below a weft thread. The visual appearance of the surface is identical on both sides of the fabric.

Plant-based natural fibres are obtained from plants. Examples: cotton and linen.

Polyamide is a synthetic fibre that is particularly characterised by its durability. It is often mixed with other fibres such as cotton, wool, etc. The advantages of adding polyamide are greater durability and ease of care.

Polyester is a synthetic fiber that is often mixed with other fibers and turned into a blend. Advantages of using polyester in blends are fineness and lightness.

Raschel lace is a lace produced on a Raschel machine. Usually it is coarser and therefore also cheaper than Leavers lace.

is the name for the silk thread that can easily be unrolled from the cocoon. The silk does not shine and is not smooth, but is very strong. By degumming the raw silk various silk types and qualities can be achieved.

Satin is a fabric woven in an atlas weave. It typically has a highly lustrous, very smooth upper surface and a matt underside. Continuous fibres such as silk, viscose or polyester are often preferred, as these can further enhance the lustre. Satin has a smooth and flowing look.

Sea Island cotton is grown in the British West Indies, has a staple length of more than 50 mm and is picked exclusively by hand. Its production accounts for only 0.0004% of global cotton production.
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produces products without seams. This can be achieved by using circular knitting machines, where there has to be a different machine for each size, as the machine produces a tube in the length of the upper body.

A twisted yarn is created by twisting at least two single yarns together. The more the twists are twisted, the smoother and more closed the textile surface becomes. The advantages of twisted yarns are increased tensile strength, stronger binding of the fibre and thus a reduction in the pilling effect and the fact that irregular yarns can be made more uniform.

Silk is a natural animal fibre produced by processing the silk thread spun by silkworms. The silk threads come from the cocoon, which is built by silkworms to transform themselves into butterflies. A finished cocoon consists of 800 m of continuous silk thread. HANRO uses silk from the real spinner, mulberry silk. The products are made from completely debarked silk thread. The silk used by HANRO is produced in Europe.
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The finishing technique of singeing is only used on finished fabrics. It involves burning off the protruding fibres on the finished fabric. The aim is to smooth the surface of the material and increase its strength.

is a knitted fabric that has a subtle right-left binding. Thus, on the right side of the fabric only right meshes are visible, while on the left side only left meshes are visible. Single jersey has a very fine surface appearance.

Also known as ‘false twist’, as two pre-spun yarns are simply twisted together. Siro yarn has a softer feel than normal yarn and is therefore well suited for underwear. It also causes less pilling. At the same time, Siro yarn is softer than twisted yarn and gives a more attractive finish. Finally, Siro yarn also has the advantage of being cheaper than twisted yarn (but more expensive than single yarn).

Spacer material is a lightweight, breathable mesh made of two layers of fabric with a tiny gap between them to create a three-dimensional honeycomb effect. This ensures that the bra cups retain their shape well and improves air circulation.
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Our dyeing and knitting facility in Vorarlberg, Austria, is STeP by OEKO-TEX® certified, which means it's committed to socially responsible and safe working conditions and environmentally friendly production. Our sewing facilities in Portugal, Hungary (expected in autumn 2022) and Bulgaria are also STeP by OEKO-TEX® certified, which is a prerequisite for MADE IN GREEN by OEKO-TEX®.

The staple length is the average length of all fibres contained in a sample.

Our products are STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX® certified. This is the most important certificate for textiles that come into contact with the skin. All components of a product comply with the strict OEKO-TEX® test criteria: fabrics, sewing threads, inserts and prints as well as non-textile accessories such as buttons or zips. We select our suppliers according to balanced economic, ecological and social criteria, and OEKO-TEX® certification is a prerequisite.

is a registered brand. The cotton is essentially Pima cotton which is guaranteed to have been grown and harvested in the US.

is grown in Greece on family-run cotton farms. The certified cotton is GMO-free and requires 40% less water thanks to modern drip irrigation.

Synthetic fibers are produced purely chemically and are artificially spun from synthetic molecules. Examples: Polyester, polyamide and elastane.

is the product of the enmeshing of an S-yarn and a Z-yarn. By enmeshing these two the twisting of the fabric can be minimized.

TACTEL® is a unique 2-layer fabric construction for high demands that maximises sensory and physiological comfort. The inner TACTEL® layer transports moisture towards the absorbent, fine-threaded outer TACTEL® layer, where it evaporates efficiently.

TENCEL™ is a Lenzing brand and includes sustainable solutions such as TENCEL™ Lyocell and TENCEL™ Modal made from cellulose fibres of botanic origin. These define a new standard in sustainability and natural comfort. TENCEL™ cellulose fibres, which are obtained from the renewable raw material wood, are produced in an environmentally friendly manufacturing process. Wood and pulp from the Lenzing Group come from near-natural forests and sustainably managed plantations. TENCEL™ fibres are biodegradable and compostable and can therefore be fully returned to nature.
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TENCEL™ Lyocell fibres are known for their natural comfort and environmentally conscious manufacturing process with a closed cycle. They stand for efficient moisture management and give the skin a cool and dry feeling - day and night. Other advantages of TENCEL™ Lyocell are its flowing, supple drape and stretchability.

TENCEL™ Modal fibres are exceptionally gentle on the skin and are known for their exceptional smoothness and softness. Blended with other fibres, such as cotton, wool or polyester, modal fibres modal fibres increase the overall comfort of textiles. TENCEL™ Modal fibres are obtained from naturally growing beech wood through an ecologically responsible integrated pulp-to-fibre process.

The yarn count is measured internationally in Tex (tex), this unit has replaced the old units denier (den), metric number (Nm) and English number (Ne). However, the old units are still used in large parts of the textile industry. In Germany and Switzerland, tex is the legal unit for specifying the length-related mass of textile fibres and yarns, i.e. it is not generally permitted for quotients of the form mass by length. 1 tex means 1 gram per 1,000 metres.

Textronic lace is produced by machines by means of the Jacquard process (weave technique). The usage of different yarns is possible. Furthermore, the creation of different motifs is possible by using a raised pattern thread (similar to embroidery).

In tulle embroidery, motifs are embroidered onto elastic or non-elastic tulle fabrics using different embroidery stitches, e.g. lace embroidery, leaf embroidery. This is one of the longest-used manufacturing processes in the textile industry and is very popular. Different motifs are possible. HANRO likes to use tulle embroidery for trend collections.

also called a twisted thread, twist, or twisted yarn. A twine is produced by twisting a minimum of two yarns. The harder the twine is twisted, the smoother and more closed the surface. Advantages of twine include increased robustness, a reduced pilling effect, and a more even structure.

Viscose is the oldest cellulose fibre and is often used as a substitute for the expensive raw material silk, which is why viscose is often referred to as ‘artificial silk’. Like cotton, the finished fibres consist of 90 % cellulose and are therefore almost exclusively plant-based. Sawdust from beech or spruce wood is boiled with the addition of chemicals to obtain cellulose. From an optical point of view, the fabrics can be designed differently. Wool and cotton as well as silk and even linen looks are possible.
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Many threads and just as many needles are used in warp knitted fabrics. All needles are moved together, but the needles not only grip the same thread, but also the neighbouring threads alternately. This causes the stitches to run at a slight angle. This makes the fabric more durable, as it is resistant to running stitches, but also slightly less pliable. Example of knitted fabric in our basic collection: Allure.

Weaving is one of the oldest techniques for producing textile fabrics, in which at least two thread systems, the warp (warp thread) and the weft (weft thread), are crossed at right angles.
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Knitting uses only one thread system, but many needles. The thread is always pulled through the next row of stitches. Knitted fabrics are not run-resistant. This makes the fabric slightly more pliable. Woven fabrics, on the other hand, are run-resistant, i.e. more durable, but also less elastic.

Wool is a natural, animal fibre obtained from sheep and goats. HANRO often uses wool as a material mix, e.g. with wool and silk. By using particularly high-quality wool such as merino and cashmere, HANRO products made of wool are softer and more supple than conventional wool products, and the typical ‘felting’ of wool can be avoided because ‘felt-free’ wool is used.

A yarn is a long, thin structure made from one or more fibres. It is a textile intermediate product that is subsequently processed further. To produce yarn, staple fibres pressed into bales are loosened and spun by twisting them together, among other processes. Different spinning processes are used depending on the type of fibre and the desired yarn properties. The number of yarn twists determines the softness, tensile strength and abrasion resistance of the yarn.