The fabric waterproof refers to a material that is resistant to water. This technical specificity can manifest in three ways: either the material is naturally waterproof due to the fibers that compose it, or it is treated with a waterproof coating to become water-repellent; or finally, the density of its weave is very high, which gives it a particular resistance to water.
The subtlety between a waterproof material and a water-repellent fabric? Their durability over time. The waterproof fabric will be the most robust: often made from rubber or plastic, its impermeability is total, unlike the water-repellent fabric. Generally made from cotton or polyester, a material becomes water-repellent after a durable water repellent (DWR) treatment is applied to its outer surface. Thanks to this finish, water beads off the fabric without soaking in. However, the water-repellent properties of the fabric are not permanent; it is sometimes necessary to reactivate them with a new treatment.
In any case, whether it is waterproof or water-repellent, the fabric waterproof is now appealing due to its various aspects (coated cotton, oilcloth, Nylon ripstop, outdoor polyester fabric…) and is used in many fields. Including fashion!