What Does GSM Mean in Clothing? A Fabric Weight Guide

170, 200 or 250 gsm?

At AWAN, we don’t design for seasons. We design for sensations.

If you’ve seen 170, 200 or 250 on our styles, those numbers refer to fabric weight. GSM means grams per square metre. A square metre of 250 gsm fabric weighs more than a square metre of 170 gsm fabric.

It’s a very useful clue about a fabric, although it doesn’t tell you everything about how a garment will feel.

woman in the AWAN Long sleeved kaftan dress in natural white

How AWAN’s three weights compare

Within our TENCEL™ Lyocell jersey, 170 gsm is the lightest weight, 200 gsm sits between the two, and 250 gsm is the weightiest, with more subtle structure.

The 170 gsm jersey is used in some of the night and resort dresses. The 250 gsm jersey is used in the newer styles including the Wrap Dress, Flow Pants and Wrap Cardigan.

There isn’t one right weight for every garment, or every person. Some of us run hot and prefer a lighter feel. Others might run cold or simply like a little more substance.

woman in the AWAN Long sleeved kaftan dress in stormy blue

What GSM can’t tell you

GSM is a measure of weight, not a full description of how fabric behaves. The knit, finish, cut and fit all affect how a garment looks, feels and falls.

That’s why comparing a dress with a pair of trousers by GSM alone doesn’t tell you which will feel softer, warmer or more covering. Colour and construction matter too.

How to choose

Start with understanding how you like clothes to feel. Do you prefer a lighter feel, or a little more weight and structure?

Then check the product page for that style’s fit notes, measurements and photos.

A few common questions

Does higher GSM mean better quality?
Not necessarily. GSM tells you how much the fabric weighs per square metre. It isn’t a quality rating.

Does higher GSM mean warmer?
Could do, but not necessarily. Fabric weight is one part of how a garment feels. Fiber origin and type, composition and construction also matter.

Is GSM the same as thickness?
Could do but not always. GSM measures weight per square metre. Thickness and the way fabric feels depend on several other factors too.

Explore: The Flow Collection · AWAN dresses · Fabric care