Fabric 101: what the label actually means
Cotton, wool, polyester, viscose — the label tells you what the garment is made of, but rarely what that means for how it wears.
The care label on a garment is legally required and practically opaque. It lists the fibres by percentage, but it does not tell you what those fibres feel like, how they behave, or how to look after them. Here is a plain-language translation.
Cotton
Breathable, washable, durable. Cotton wrinkles and shrinks if you are careless with heat. It is the most forgiving fibre in the wardrobe and the right default for anything that touches skin.
The label is a recipe, not a verdict.
— the studio
Wool
Warm, breathable, naturally odour-resistant. Wool does not need washing often — air it and spot-clean. It pills, which is friction, not failure. Fine wool (merino, cashmere) is softer but more delicate.
Polyester
Durable, wrinkle-resistant, cheap. Polyester does not breathe well and holds odour. It is useful in blends and linings but rarely the right choice as the main fibre against skin.
Viscose / rayon
Soft, drapey, breathable. Viscose is made from wood pulp and behaves like a natural fibre but is weaker when wet. Wash gently and never wring.
Blends
A blend takes the best of each fibre. Cotton-polyester is durable and easy-care. Wool-nylon is warm and strong. The percentage tells you which fibre dominates — the first listed is the majority.
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