Fabric and texture
The same dye colour looks genuinely different depending on the fabric it’s woven into — a matte cotton, a sheened silk and a deep-pile velvet in “the same” colour rarely look identical side by side. Practical, not exact-physical-prediction, guidance below.
Cotton, linen and wool
How do cotton, linen and wool affect a colour?
Photo: “Ribbing after blocking” by WordRidden, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Silk and satin
Why does silk or satin look brighter than the same colour in cotton?
Photo: “No1 paisley pocketsquare silk, detail, front” by Giftzwerg 88, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Velvet and suede
Why does velvet look deeper or darker than the same colour elsewhere?
Photo: “Green velvet fabric” by Shiva Theerthagiri, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Denim and leather
Why does denim or leather colour vary so much between pieces?
Photo: “Jeans Texture” by Gaurav Dhwaj Khadka, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Metallic and sequined fabric
Why does a metallic or sequined garment change colour as it moves?
Photo: “Sequins macro” by liz west, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
