soft fabric, it seems more difficult to get the duvet in as it does not fully open at bottom as my old one did. there is about 18 inches on each side of the king opening that does not have snaps, but is sewn closed. The brown is a bit terra cotta brown. Not the chocolate brown we were hoping for. I was also hoping for a crisp feel to the fabric, and it is too soft and thin to be crisp. I hope it holds up to our cats toes as they jump up on the bed...time will tell.