How to identify fabric and read a clothing label

Start with the fabric’s structure

Look at how threads or loops form the surface. “Woven” and “knitted” describe construction; cotton and polyester name fibre families. Keeping these ideas separate makes it easier to understand why different materials can share a similar texture.

Photograph a flat, well-lit area, then take a wider image of the garment for context. In Materium, patterns, surface finish and construction cues contribute to the material assessment.

Read the label by component

Copy the fibre names and any stated percentages. Check whether each description applies to the outer fabric, lining, filling or trim. A coat can have several material stories within the same item.

FTC textile guidance describes fibre-content and other labelling requirements for covered products in the US. Other markets have their own rules. Keep care instructions alongside composition information so you can refer to the garment’s recommended maintenance.

Build a useful fabric reference

Save the scan and keep the label transcription with your research notes. A record such as “woven outer fabric; label states a cotton-polyester blend” connects the surface you observed with the composition the maker provides.

For an item with a missing label, the product code or original listing may supply more detail. A clear record can include both the likely material family and an open question about the blend. That makes your collection useful for future comparisons.

Material reference

• Cotton: properties and identification clues
• Polyester: properties and identification clues

Keep exploring

• Cotton vs polyester: a practical fabric identification guide
• Can polyester be recycled? A guide to textile recycling
• How to identify materials from a photo with Materium