“How do you read a clothing fabric and care label?”
How to read a clothing label: fiber, origin and care
Short answer
In the US a clothing label lists fiber names with percentages by weight, in descending order, plus the country of origin and who made or sold the garment. A separate permanent care label gives washing or dry cleaning instructions. Read the percentages, not marketing words. Fibers under 5% usually appear as other fiber.
Steps
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Find the fiber line
Names and percentages by weight, such as 95% cotton, 5% elastane.
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Read it in order
Fibers are listed from the largest share to the smallest.
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Check the origin line
The country where the garment was made.
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Read the care label
A washing or dry cleaning instruction, and ironing if it is needed.
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Compare with the product page
Check the details on the listing against the label when the order arrives.
What US labels must show
The FTC's guide to the Textile and Wool Acts says labels must show the generic fiber names and percentages by weight of each fiber, listed in descending order of predominance. Fibers under 5% generally go under other fiber, except wool and recycled wool, which must be named even below 5%.
Labels must also show the country of origin, and identify the company by name or by its Registered Identification Number.
The care label
Care labels come from a separate rule. The FTC's Care Labeling Rule says labels must be attached permanently and stay legible for the life of the garment, and must include a washing or dry cleaning instruction. If a product needs regular ironing to keep its appearance, the label must say how.
If washing one product could harm another washed with it, the label must carry a warning.
Reading a blend
A label that says 95% cotton, 5% elastane means 95 parts cotton and 5 parts elastane by weight. The larger share comes first. A blend can feel and wash differently from either fiber alone, so follow the care label for the whole garment.
Match the fabric to the use
In an NPR Life Kit piece, fashion educator Andrea Cheong says the material should make sense for the purpose of the garment: wool for a warm sweater, linen for summer clothes, and a synthetic performance fabric for swimwear or sportswear. She adds that delicate fabrics like silk may need hand washing, which does not mean they are poor quality.
Label and product page
Use the product page for fit and the details it lists, and use the label for fiber content and care once the order arrives. If they do not match, send a note through the contact page while the 7-day return window is open. The new order check covers the rest of the first week.
Shop the edit
FAQ
Do clothes have to have care labels?
In the US, yes. The FTC's Care Labeling Rule requires clothing to carry a permanent label with a washing or dry cleaning instruction.
Is the country of origin required on a label?
Yes. Products covered by the Textile and Wool Acts must be labeled with the country of origin.
What does other fiber mean on a label?
Fibers under 5% generally go under other fiber instead of by name. Wool and recycled wool must be named even when they are under 5%.
What does 95% cotton, 5% elastane mean?
The garment is 95% cotton and 5% elastane by weight, listed with the larger share first.
Do I need ironing instructions?
The rule requires ironing information when ironing is needed on a regular basis to preserve the product's appearance.
How do I wash a blend?
Follow the care label on the garment. For knits, see the sweater washing guide.
Why do two items in the same size fit differently?
PeachSunday's size guide says sizing varies slightly by style and fabric. A stretch knit and a woven cotton fit differently at the same labeled size, so check the product page measurements.