How to Read Clothing Labels (Natural vs. Toxic Fabrics)
A simple guide for clean, long-lasting wardrobes.
This guide isn’t here to tell you what to buy. It’s here to help you think more clearly about fabrics, so you can decide with fewer impulse purchases.
Table of Contents
Step 0 – Look at the fabric tag
Step 1 – Find the fiber line
Step 2 – Check the %
Step 3 – Decode “magic power” claims
Step 4 – Certifications, at a glance
Step 5 – Use the care label as a reality check
FAQs
Before we start: how I look at materials
You’ll often hear comments like: “But my COS jumper lasted five years,” or “This brand uses wool and recycled cotton too.” And both can be true.
When I talk about fabrics, I’m not judging individual lucky finds. I’m looking at patterns at scale — the fibre choices brands rely on entirety of their collections, not strategically picked.
And remember:
Popular brands optimise for cost, softness on first touch, and low return rates.
Ethical brands optimise for breathability, longevity, recyclability, and worker + planet impact, which leads to simpler blends and higher natural content.
Step 0 – Look at the fabric before you fall in love
Before the cut, before the color, before the pric, check the tag.
- 100% of what, exactly?
- Are synthetics mixed in, and why?
- Does this garment really need stretch, or is it cheap construction?
- Would you actually follow these care instructions?
A beautiful piece made from the wrong fabric becomes uncomfortable, smelly, or shapeless faster than most people expect.
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FAQs
Why do brands choose viscose instead of cotton?
Viscose drapes like silk, takes colour very evenly, and looks “luxury” on the hanger while costing much less to produce than cotton. It allows brands to sell fluid dresses and blouses at polyester-level prices.
Is viscose bad for your health?
From a wearer’s health perspective, viscose itself isn’t considered unsafe and doesn’t release microplastics. The main concerns around viscose are environmental and worker-safety related during production, not how the finished fabric behaves on skin.
Why don’t brands use recycled fibers like cotton or wool more often?
Recycled cotton fibres are shorter and weaker, so they usually need to be blended with virgin cotton or synthetics. Brands often choose conventional cotton because it’s easier to spin into strong yarn and more predictable in large-scale production.
Why is polyester used instead of natural fibres?
Polyester is cheap, strong, wrinkle-resistant, and dries quickly. It helps brands keep prices low and reduce returns. That’s good for margins but when polyester dominates everyday clothing, comfort and breathability usually suffer.
Why does knitwear contain so much acrylic?
Acrylic feels fluffy and soft at first touch, which sells well in stores. The downside is that it pills quickly and makes knitwear look worn out fast, even when it’s new.
Why is elastane added to so many garments?
Elastane helps clothes stretch and fit more body types, which reduces returns. A small amount improves comfort. Too much turns garments into clingy plastic that traps heat and loses shape.
Is suede different from leather?
Suede is leather. It’s made from the underside of the hide, which makes it softer but also more delicate. It stains more easily and needs more care, but the same rules apply: sourcing, tanning, and longevity matter most.
Are certifications like OEKO-TEX® and GOTS enough?
Certifications are helpful shortcuts, not guarantees. GOTS covers farming, dyes, and processing. OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 tests the finished product for certain harmful substances.
They work best when combined with transparent material choices and sensible construction.
Do care labels really matter?
Yes. Care labels reveal how fragile a garment is. If something needs constant dry cleaning or delicate handling, it was never designed for heavy rotation, regardless of how good the fabric sounds.
Should I avoid synthetic fibres completely?
No. Synthetic fibres make sense in specific use cases (sportswear, rainwear, technical outerwear). The problem is when they dominate everyday pieces worn close to skin, and whether they are PFAS-free.
What’s the single most important rule when reading clothing labels?
Don’t judge by one word. Look at the whole picture: fibre type, percentage, construction, finishes, care instructions, and how long the item is realistically meant to last.