It would be easier to say what I wouldn't use for upholstery fabric! :-D Burlap-like, Suzanis, bird motifs, animal prints, have all had their day IMO. However, unless you want to continue to reupholster furniture every year or every other year it's wise to use an upholstery material that is either classic or that you love enough to not care whether it's trendy or not. Stay away from anything you perceive to be trendy and we likely all have a different take on that. I would only use Suzanis in pillow covers if I loved them as they are currently overdone IMO. Some fabrics I like for seldom used furniture are quilted (think movers' quilts) or oversize thick knitted fabric as it's not been too overdone *maybe*. Unique woods are very big right now so a fabric printed to resemble woodgrain might be coming on trend. Artisan/organic is still trendy for next year altho if you google "trends for 2013" you'll see the usual wide range of CYA ideas including everything I've excluded above. One current trend I like are large scale florals which could be long lasting. Could you post a pic of the chair? Might help to get ideas as to what would be a good upholstery material for that style. I think single chairs are one of those pieces that can be a unique accent and can be done very differently from the rest of one's furniture. At least that's what I'm planning for my most recent acquisition chair. Some thoughts I've had for my chair are a zebra or cowhide pattern (I know, overdone!), a dark/rust red microfiber (I use red accents occasionally), or a patchwork with upholstery samples I already have in all my accent colors (at the moment the top choice). My chair will be painted so that's another consideration for me and so far I can't decide on the color. I'm also limited by cats who think upholstered furniture is their personal scratching post so there are only certain types of fabrics that are safe from them. However if you have fewer limitations than I do there are many choices. You could always "create your own fabric for something totally unique that may never seem out of style." Remember "if something isn't in style, it can't go out of style" - one of Magnaverde's rules.

I have experience with this cowhide print. It's a great weight, and you'll see the reviews are very good. It comes in several colors, three are shown here at Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/Udder-Madness-Upholstery-Milk-Fabric/dp/B00IGD9BQ2?th=1 Have also used used this on a chair I bought from Craigslist, along with a faux leather for the seat - https://www.fabricmill.com/cowhide-brown-white.html Before - pic from the Craigslist ad - After -

I went ahead and purchased down alternative inserts: https://www.etsy.com/listing/642106848/down-alternative-pillow-forms-square?ref=cart I messaged with the Etsy seller and feel confident that these will work well, plus it was only around $44 for the pair including shipping. At any rate, the 22 x 22 inserts will surely be an improvement over what I currently have.

You should try and get a fabric sample to answer some of those questions. Also, it has a 100,000 Martindale Rub Count. Research that and that will give you some direction as how it will wear regarding friction on the fabric. It's a blend of 95% Polyester, 5% Acrylic. Polyester is good but when you add another thread it weakens the thread so you may get some pilling which is very common with fabric now a days. You just shave the pills. Snag- get a fabric sample. Softness- have no idea as that can vary from fabric to fabric even if they are made from the same type of thread. Any sofa you get, you will want to get a fabric protection plan. And if you don't, find out the cleaning code and research that to see if you can even spot clean it. Lots of them don't even allow that or any type of cleaning. And you may want to take the time to research construction and what you should expect based on the construction of the sofa you are interested in. And it doesn't hurt to research the foam that they use as that is usually the first thing to show wear.