Fabric literacy: what your clothes are made of and why it matters
The Fabric Files decodes clothing labels - fiber, weave, weight, and care - so you can tell quality before you buy.
Latest
How to read a fabric label like a buyer
Fiber percentages, the 5% elastane ceiling, and the blend ratios that separate good knits from saggy ones.
Merino vs cashmere: which knit is actually worth it
Warmth, softness, pilling, price-per-year - the honest comparison for everyday sweaters.
Merino wool, decoded: what the micron numbers mean and when it's worth the money
Micron counts, the 17.5 threshold, why merino doesn't itch, and the honest cost-per-wear case against cotton and cashmere.
Cashmere grades explained: what the label does not tell you
Grade A, B, and C cashmere measure fiber length and thickness, and the label almost never says which you are buying.
Quick answers
- Is cotton or polyester better for everyday clothes?
- Why do sweaters pill, and can you prevent it?
- What does GSM mean in fabric?
- Are linen wrinkles a defect?
- What does momme mean in silk?
How to read a textile fiber label
Read fiber content before care claims or marketing names. A blend percentage tells you more about feel, warmth, stretch, and care than a branded fabric description.