Journal·Labels·
How to read clothing labels before you buy
What fiber percentages mean, how to spot blends, and how a label scan helps when you are shopping in store.
The composition line is the most useful part of a clothing label for shopping decisions. It lists fibers and percentages — for example 100% linen or 80% wool / 20% polyamide.
Marketing words on the hangtag (“premium”, “soft touch”) do not replace the fiber list.
What to look for
If you are in a fitting room, scanning the care label with INTERTEXE can surface the composition quickly and point you toward alternatives when a piece is mostly synthetic.
- Lead fiber and its percentage
- Whether elastane/spandex is a small stretch addition or a large share
- Lining composition (often different from the shell)
- Care symbols so the fabric you chose can actually be maintained
Ready to put this into practice?
Open the scanner