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Dakimakura Fabric Guide: Compare 5 Cover Materials
Choosing a dakimakura fabric is not a minor finishing decision. It changes how the cover feels against your skin, how closely it follows the shape of the inner pillow, how clearly the artwork appears, and how carefully you will want to wash it. The store currently offers five cover materials on many listings: Peach Skin, Natural Velvet, Smooth Knit, Two Way Tricot, and Upgraded Two Way Tricot.
This dakimakura fabric guide compares those options using the details shown on current product pages. There is no single material that is right for every buyer. A first cover for occasional display, a soft everyday hugging pillow, and a warm-feeling winter cover can each point toward a different choice.
Dakimakura fabrics at a glance
| Fabric | Listed construction | Surface and stretch | A practical reason to choose it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peach Skin | Fabric option on current covers | Smooth, peach-like surface; less stretch-focused | A straightforward, durable first-cover option |
| Natural Velvet | Plush fabric option | Soft and warm-feeling | A cozier surface when warmth matters more than the sharpest print |
| Smooth Knit | One-way stretch | Silky, soft feel with stretch mainly in one direction | A middle route between basic woven feel and two-way elasticity |
| Two Way Tricot | 85% polyester, 15% spandex | Smooth and elastic in two directions | A close, flexible fit with a soft surface |
| Upgraded Two Way Tricot | 82% polyester, 18% spandex | Silky surface with the highest listed spandex content | A premium option when print presentation and stretch are priorities |
These descriptions are useful for narrowing your choice, but always confirm the actual material menu on the product page you intend to order. Options can vary by listing and configuration.
How each cover material feels and behaves
Peach Skin: a practical starting point
Peach Skin gets its name from its lightly textured, smooth surface. Current store descriptions position it as a durable option for first-time buyers. It does not have the same elastic character as tricot, so it may feel more structured around the inner pillow rather than closely following every contour.
Choose Peach Skin when you want a sensible entry point, expect to rotate the cover rather than keep it on one pillow continuously, or value straightforward handling. It can also suit a display-first purchase where the cover will spend part of its time folded or stored. If you are comparing a large number of designs in the main anime dakimakura cover collection, Peach Skin is a useful baseline against which to judge the softer and stretchier upgrades.
Natural Velvet: soft, plush, and warm-feeling
Natural Velvet is the outlier in this group because its appeal is its plush surface. The store describes it as soft and warm, making it especially relevant if you dislike the cooler, slicker feel of knit fabrics. That texture also changes how the artwork is perceived: the product guidance notes that image definition is not as sharp as on the smoother alternatives.
This is a comfort-led choice. Consider it for a pillow used mainly in cooler rooms or seasons, and choose another option if crisp print detail is your first priority. The store also recommends hand washing Natural Velvet, so factor that into your decision before ordering. A fabric that feels wonderful but does not fit your care routine is rarely the best long-term choice.
Smooth Knit: silky feel with one-way stretch
Smooth Knit offers a soft, silky surface and stretches primarily in one direction. That makes it a useful middle ground: more flexible than a less stretch-focused cover, but not the same all-direction fit as Two Way Tricot. It can work well for buyers who want a smooth hand feel without moving directly to the highest-priced fabric choice.
When fitting Smooth Knit, align the cover carefully before pulling it down the insert. Because the material does not respond identically in both directions, forcing a mismatched or overfilled inner pillow can still load the zipper and seams. The step-by-step guide to putting on a dakimakura cover explains a controlled inside-out method that avoids unnecessary pulling.
Two Way Tricot: balanced stretch and softness
The standard Two Way Tricot listed on current products is 85% polyester and 15% spandex. Its ability to stretch in two directions helps the cover settle smoothly around a correctly sized inner pillow. The surface is also described as soft, making it a popular direction for regular hugging and sleeping use.
Elasticity is helpful, but it should never be used to compensate for the wrong dimensions. A 150 × 50 cm cover still belongs with a 150 × 50 cm insert, and a 160 × 50 cm cover with the corresponding inner. Use the cover and inner pillow size guide before choosing fabric if you are unsure what you own.
Upgraded Two Way Tricot: higher listed spandex content
Upgraded Two Way Tricot is listed as 82% polyester and 18% spandex. Compared with the standard tricot option, it has three percentage points more spandex and is presented as the premium choice for silky skin feel and print quality. It is a strong candidate when the cover will be used frequently and you care about both a close fit and the artwork presentation.
“Upgraded” does not automatically mean it is the correct choice for every buyer. If you prefer a plush, warm surface, Natural Velvet may still suit you better. If you are testing your first cover or buying mainly for display, Peach Skin may be sufficient. Pay for the qualities you will actually notice rather than selecting the top option by name alone.
Choose by use case, not by fabric ranking
A simple decision process is more reliable than trying to rank five different surfaces from best to worst:
- For a first dakimakura cover: start with Peach Skin if durability and simple handling matter most, or Smooth Knit if you already know you prefer a silkier surface.
- For everyday hugging: compare Two Way Tricot and Upgraded Two Way Tricot for their two-direction stretch and smooth feel.
- For a warmer, plush feel: consider Natural Velvet and accept the tradeoff in print sharpness and more hands-on care.
- For artwork-first display: prioritize the smoother options and inspect the full product images, not only the thumbnail.
- For easy size matching: choose the correct dimensions first. Fabric stretch is not a substitute for compatibility.
The Megumi Kato anime dakimakura cover and the Arknights Desolate Lapland body pillow cover are two current listings where shoppers can review the offered size and fabric selections. They represent different character artwork, but the buying method is the same: choose the design first, then verify the exact material and dimensions before adding it to your cart.
Care considerations before you buy
Care is part of the fabric choice, not an afterthought. A cover that needs gentler handling can still be a good purchase when you are comfortable washing it that way. Before cleaning any cover, review its label or listing and separate it from the inner pillow. The store’s dakimakura washing guide recommends cold water, bleach-free detergent, and avoiding high heat for covers.
For routine care, close the zipper before washing, avoid rough items that can catch the surface, and let the cover dry completely before storage. Natural Velvet deserves especially gentle treatment because of its plush texture. Stretchy tricot should not be wrung or pulled hard when wet. Once dry, store every cover away from moisture and prolonged direct light; the guide to storing dakimakura covers without deep creases provides a practical rotation routine.
A five-question fabric checklist
- Do I prefer a smooth, silky, or plush surface?
- Will I hug and sleep with the pillow regularly, or mainly display it?
- How important is two-direction stretch to me?
- Am I comfortable hand washing and air drying a more delicate surface?
- Have I matched both the length and width of the cover to my inner pillow?
If you can answer those questions, the fabric menu becomes much easier to navigate. Browse the available character covers, open the exact product you want, and compare its current options rather than assuming every listing is identical.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best dakimakura fabric for a first-time buyer?
Peach Skin is the store’s practical first-buyer option because it is positioned as durable. Smooth Knit is worth considering if a softer, silkier feel matters more to you. The right choice still depends on your preferred surface and care routine.
What is the difference between Two Way Tricot and Upgraded Two Way Tricot?
Current listings describe standard Two Way Tricot as 85% polyester and 15% spandex, while Upgraded Two Way Tricot is 82% polyester and 18% spandex. Both stretch in two directions; the upgraded option has the higher listed spandex content and is presented as the premium print-and-feel choice.
Is Natural Velvet good for dakimakura covers?
Natural Velvet is a good fit for buyers who prioritize a plush, warm-feeling surface. Its tradeoffs are less-defined print detail compared with smoother fabrics and a preference for hand washing.
Can a stretchier fabric fit the wrong inner pillow size?
No. Stretch can help a correctly sized cover sit smoothly, but it should not make up for a length or width mismatch. Match both dimensions to avoid a loose cover or unnecessary strain on seams and the zipper.
Do all dakimakura products offer all five fabrics?
Do not assume they do. Many current cover listings show these five choices, but the exact product page and selected configuration are the source of truth. Check the material menu before checkout.
Ready to compare designs? Start with the full dakimakura cover catalog, shortlist the artwork you like, and then use this guide to choose a surface that fits how you will actually use and care for it.