Polyester

What it is: A petroleum product spun into yarn.
What it costs: About $20 to $50 a yard.
Pros: The name may be synonymous with leisure suits from the 70s, but new polyester fabrics can be satiny and luxurious. The material is slow to fade and typically doesn’t need ironing.
Cons: It stains more easily than natural fibers and may require pretreatment with a stain remover or dry cleaning. Polyester often hangs more stiffly than natural fabrics.

Cotton

What it is: A natural fiber derived from a seedpod.
What it costs: About $30 to $60 a yard.
Pros: It has a natural, soft look that drapes well. “And it’s been around since the beginning of time,” says Steffany Hollingsworth, an interior designer in Santa Fe, so it works in any setting, from traditional to modern. Generally, it can go right into the washing machine.
Cons: It fades and wears out faster than many synthetics.