10 Fictitious fabrics and furs + how to create your own

Want to add some flair to your world-building?

As a thank you to my supporters, I put together this list of 10 fictitious fabrics and furs used by royalty and wealthy characters in popular fantasy books and games. 

While you might not want to copy them exactly for your own characters and settings, these examples can provide ideas and inspiration for any new materials you create!

Also included are some tips for inventing new fabrics and furs unique to your setting or campaign.

Fictitious fabrics and furs used by royalty and wealthy characters

Here are 10 great examples to inspire you:

1. Dragonweave (“A Song of Ice and Fire” series by George R.R. Martin) – A rare and exquisite fabric woven from the silk of magical dragons, known for its shimmering iridescence and incredible strength.
2. Elven Silk (“The Lord of the Rings” series by J.R.R. Tolkien) – A fabric woven by skilled elven weavers using secret techniques, renowned for its smoothness, lightness, and elegant draping.
3. Griffon Feather Brocade (“The Stormlight Archive” series by Brandon Sanderson) – A fabric adorned with the intricate patterns created by the feathers of griffons, known for its regal appearance and symbolic significance.
4. Mermaid Scale Satin (“The Little Mermaid” fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen) – A luxurious fabric featuring the shimmering scales of mermaids, known for its lustrous sheen and enchanting aquatic hues.
5. Moonstone Silk (“The Wheel of Time” series by Robert Jordan) – A delicate and ethereal fabric infused with powdered moonstone, giving it a subtle glow and a cool, silky texture.
6. Phoenix Feather Velvet (“Harry Potter” series by J.K. Rowling) – A luxurious fabric made from the downy feathers of phoenixes, known for its softness, warmth, and vibrant color variations.
7. Shadowfire Velvet (“The Elder Scrolls” video game series by Bethesda) – A fabric that seems to flicker and shift like dancing flames, made from a mysterious blend of enchanted fibers, giving it a mesmerizing appearance.
8. Starlight Lace (“The Mortal Instruments” series by Cassandra Clare) – An intricate lace fabric woven with threads infused with captured stardust, giving it a celestial sparkle and an otherworldly allure.
9. Unicorn Fur (“The Last Unicorn” by Peter S. Beagle) – A mythical fur known for its softness, purity, and magical properties, believed to grant luck and protection to those who wear it.
10. Wyvern Scale Leather (“The Witcher” series by Andrzej Sapkowski) – A supple and durable leather crafted from the scales of wyverns, known for its natural resilience and distinct reptilian texture.

These fictitious fabrics and furs can add mystique and opulence to the wardrobes of royalty and wealthy characters.

Many of these materials aren’t just alluring – they’re also resilient to magic or offer physical protection above and beyond your typical fabric or leather.

How to create your own fictitious fabrics and furs

To come up with your own unique fabric or fur names for a fantasy setting, here are a few approaches to try:

• Combine descriptive terms – Combine descriptive words that evoke the desired characteristics of the fabric or fur. Think about its texture, appearance, and any magical or extraordinary properties it may possess. For example, “Glimmerweave,” “Enchanted Frostfur,” or “Ethereal Silkscale.”
• Draw inspiration from nature and mythology – Look to nature, mythical creatures, and folklore for inspiration. Combine elements from different animals, plants, or fantastical beings to create intriguing fabric or fur names. For instance, “Dragonfire Velvet,” “Faerywing Silk,” or “Griffinfeather Brocade.”
• Invent new terminology – Create unique terminology specific to your fantasy world. Use fabricated words or combine existing words to craft distinct fabric or fur names. This can add a sense of authenticity to your setting. For example, “Luminescale,” “Whisperwind Fur,” or “Dreamshadow Silk.”
• Consider cultural influences – Take into account the cultural background and aesthetics of your fantasy world. Incorporate cultural elements, symbols, or mythical references to develop fabric or fur names that align with the world’s lore. For instance, “Celestial Moonglow,” “Samurai Silkweave,” or “Elvendream Fur.”
• Experiment with sounds and phonetics – Play with sounds, syllables, and phonetic combinations to create unique and evocative names. Focus on the flow and feel of the words to capture the essence of the fabric or fur. For example, “Whisperbloom Velvet,” “Stardust Wraithweave,” or “Silversong Fur.”

Experiment, have fun, and let your imagination run wild! I hope this post helps you come up with truly unique and captivating names that enhance the richness of your world.

And as always – thank you so much for supporting Writing Games! Your support is a huge source of motivation and encouragement for me, and the blog wouldn’t be what it is today without it. 💜