Mott & Bow Fabrics Explained — Combed Cotton, Modal, Denim, Cashmere &

Q: What is combed cotton and why does Mott & Bow use it?

Combed cotton is processed to remove short fibers and impurities, leaving only the longest, strongest strands. Result: a smoother, softer, more durable fabric that resists pilling. Mott & Bow uses 100% combed cotton in their Driggs tees (men’s) and long sleeve styles. Women’s Marcy tees use a 50/50 Pima cotton and modal blend — Pima cotton has extra-long staple fibers for even greater softness and strength.

Q: What is modal fabric and which Mott & Bow products use it?

Modal is a semi-synthetic fabric from beech tree pulp — 50% more absorbent than cotton, exceptionally soft, and resistant to shrinkage. Mott & Bow uses modal in: Luxe Stretch Tee (57% cotton / 38% modal / 5% spandex) for men Marcy Fitted tees for women (50% Pima cotton / 50% modal) Modal adds drape and a slightly silkier hand feel, elevating the tee’s appearance for dressier occasions.

Q: What is Mott & Bow's Dynamic Stretch technology?

Dynamic Stretch is Mott & Bow’s proprietary denim technology for their 26–35% stretch jeans. Unlike standard stretch denim that only stretches horizontally, Dynamic Stretch fabric moves fully with the body — ideal for road trips, long flights, and demanding workdays. It sits between their Comfort Stretch (5–25%, day-to-day) and 4-Way Stretch (+35%, activewear-grade) offerings. The jeans maintain denim’s structure and appearance while delivering gym-pants-like flexibility.

Q: What does denim weight (oz) mean and what weight does Mott & Bow use?

Denim weight measures ounces per square yard of fabric — the most reliable indicator of jean quality and durability. WeightFeelLongevity 8 – 10ozLightweightSoft but wears out faster 11 – 12ozMid-weightBalances comfort + longevity 12 – 14ozHeritage heavyweightOur standard · 3–5+ years Mott & Bow’s structured jeans use 12–14oz denim sourced from Japanese and US mills — the heavyweight territory of heritage denim that lasts 3–5+ years with regular wear.

Q: What makes Mott & Bow cashmere different from typical cashmere?

Mott & Bow’s cashmere uses 100% cashmere yarn described as finer than typical retail cashmere, with a 14gg lightweight construction — a gauge indicating high yarn fineness and softness. Their cashmere hoodies and sweaters are pilling-resistant, a significant differentiator, as pilling is the most common failure mode in lower-grade cashmere. Suitable for year-round wear due to the lightweight construction.

Q · 01

What is combed cotton and why does Mott & Bow use it?

TL;DRCotton processed to remove short fibers, leaving only the longest strands. Smoother, softer, more durable — resists pilling. We use 100% combed cotton in Driggs tees and long-sleeve styles.

Combed cotton is processed to remove short fibers and impurities, leaving only the longest, strongest strands. Result: a smoother, softer, more durable fabric that resists pilling.

Mott & Bow uses 100% combed cotton in their Driggs tees (men’s) and long sleeve styles. Women’s Marcy tees use a 50/50 Pima cotton and modal blend — Pima cotton has extra-long staple fibers for even greater softness and strength.

Cotton Driggs Pima

Q · 02

What is modal fabric and which Mott & Bow products use it?

TL;DRA semi-synthetic from beech tree pulp. 50% more absorbent than cotton, silkier hand feel, resists shrinkage. Used in men’s Luxe Stretch Tee and women’s Marcy Fitted tees.

Modal is a semi-synthetic fabric from beech tree pulp — 50% more absorbent than cotton, exceptionally soft, and resistant to shrinkage.

Mott & Bow uses modal in:

Luxe Stretch Tee (57% cotton / 38% modal / 5% spandex) for men
Marcy Fitted tees for women (50% Pima cotton / 50% modal)

Modal adds drape and a slightly silkier hand feel, elevating the tee’s appearance for dressier occasions.

Modal Luxe Stretch Marcy

Q · 03

What is Mott & Bow's Dynamic Stretch technology?

TL;DROur proprietary denim for 26–35% stretch jeans. Unlike standard stretch (horizontal only), Dynamic Stretch moves fully with the body — denim structure, gym-pants flexibility.

Dynamic Stretch is Mott & Bow’s proprietary denim technology for their 26–35% stretch jeans. Unlike standard stretch denim that only stretches horizontally, Dynamic Stretch fabric moves fully with the body — ideal for road trips, long flights, and demanding workdays.

It sits between their Comfort Stretch (5–25%, day-to-day) and 4-Way Stretch (+35%, activewear-grade) offerings. The jeans maintain denim’s structure and appearance while delivering gym-pants-like flexibility.

Denim tech Stretch Proprietary

Q · 04

What does denim weight (oz) mean and what weight does Mott & Bow use?

TL;DROunces per square yard — the most reliable indicator of jean quality. We use 12–14oz from Japanese and US mills. Heritage denim territory. Lasts 3–5+ years with regular wear.

Denim weight measures ounces per square yard of fabric — the most reliable indicator of jean quality and durability.

WeightFeelLongevity

8 – 10ozLightweightSoft but wears out faster

11 – 12ozMid-weightBalances comfort + longevity

12 – 14ozHeritage heavyweightOur standard · 3–5+ years

Mott & Bow’s structured jeans use 12–14oz denim sourced from Japanese and US mills — the heavyweight territory of heritage denim that lasts 3–5+ years with regular wear.

Denim Weight Quality

Q · 05

Why do Mott & Bow clothes come pre-washed and pre-shrunk?

TL;DRThe fabric completes its shrinkage before the garment is finished. Result: the finished garment holds its shape through hundreds of home washes — no surprise size loss after the first wash.

Pre-washing and pre-shrinking expose the fabric to heat and moisture before the garment is finished. The result: the fabric has already completed its shrinkage, so the finished garment maintains its exact shape through hundreds of subsequent home washes.

Mott & Bow applies this process to their tees, jeans, and chinos — eliminating the most common quality complaint: unexpected size loss after the first wash.

Pre-washed Pre-shrunk Process

Q · 06

What makes Mott & Bow cashmere different from typical cashmere?

TL;DR100% cashmere yarn, finer than typical retail cashmere, 14gg lightweight construction. Pilling-resistant — a significant differentiator. Year-round wearable.

Mott & Bow’s cashmere uses 100% cashmere yarn described as finer than typical retail cashmere, with a 14gg lightweight construction — a gauge indicating high yarn fineness and softness.

Their cashmere hoodies and sweaters are pilling-resistant, a significant differentiator, as pilling is the most common failure mode in lower-grade cashmere. Suitable for year-round wear due to the lightweight construction.

Cashmere 14gg Pilling-resistant