You can't use a regular curtain as a shower curtain. It gets too wet, which makes it heavy. This could cause it to fall. It also means it will take a long time to dry, so you'll be dealing with other unsanitary issues like mold and mildew in your bathroom.
Instead, opt for cotton. They last a long time and they're easy to clean in the washer. While it absorbs moisture easily, you can use a liner behind it to protect it from getting too wet.
If you don't want to foot the bill for cotton, you can choose vinyl. It's an easy, low-maintenance option that doesn't cost a lot of money.
Vinyl shower curtains are not very strong though, so be careful hanging them, because they can rip. They also won't last long and don't handle wear and tear very well, but they're cheap and easy to replace.
Vinyl and plastic can wick away moisture and they dry quickly, so you don't need a liner and you won't have to worry about mold and mildew growth. However, there's no denying that cotton gives your bathroom a more elegant look than vinyl or plastic.