Five new 7‐alkyloxy‐4‐trifluoromethylcoumarin fluorescent dyes were synthesised using the Pechmann and Williamson etherification reactions. The structures of these coumarin dyes were characterised by Fourier Transform–infrared, proton and carbon nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectra. One of the new coumarin compounds, 7‐isopropyloxy‐4‐trifluoromethylcoumarin, was microencapsulated with melamine–formaldehyde as the shell material by in situ polymerisation. The microcapsules were characterised in terms of Fourier Transform–infrared spectrum, particle size distribution and scanning electron microscopy morphology. The cotton fabric finished with the microencapsulated coumarin dye showed strong fluorescence under ultraviolet light.