The main physical and mechanical characteristics that have an effect on the shape and design of the clothes are thickness, surface density, rigidity and drapeability of the fabric. Experimentally, according to the standardized methods, were identified the main physical and mechanical characteristics of fabrics of the suiting group. Using the selected parameters, the comparative analysis of fabrics samples was conducted and dependencies between them were determined. Analysis of experimental data showed that the raw components of fabrics do not affect significantly on their properties (drapeability, rigidity). Fabrics with the different raw components can have the same or close values of these parameters. More significant is the weave of fabric, which has an effect on the rigidity characteristics of fabric in the longitudinal and transverse directions. Conducted experimental researches are the basis for development of the suiting group fabrics classification in terms of flexural rigidity for the purpose of developing the recommendations for designing the clothes of different three-dimensional forms
