Structural coloration from photonic crystals (PCs) has attracted great interests owing to the chemical colorants-free process and highly brilliant color effects. However, the poor durability of the structural color severely restrains its practical applications. Based on this, a photopolymerizationprocess to form polymer network structure was tactfully introduced in fabricating tough PCs on fabric substrates. The differences of surface morphology, tensile strength, binding strength and structural colors between poly(styrene-methacrylate) (P(St-MAA)) PCs and resultant P(St-MAA) PCs (named PHEA@P(St-MAA) PCs) were detailedly investigated and characterized. The results show that poly(hydroxyethyl acrylate) (PHEA) film is formed by photocross-linking reaction with diphenyl (2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyl) phosphine oxide as initiator on the surface and interstices of P(St-MAA) PCs, which effectively improves the tensile strength and binding strength of P(St-MAA) PCs on fabric substrates. The PHEA@P(St-MAA) PCs display brilliant structural colors and obvious iridescence as well, although become red-shifted in accordance with Bragg's law. It is concluded that this research will offer theoretical basis and practical guidance for the fabrication of the tough photonic crystals on fabric substrates.