PickGlobeWhen you can't touch a garment, the fabric details on the product page are your best clue to how it will feel, wear and wash. They're usually tucked away under "Details", "Composition" or "Materials and care", and they're worth the extra click.
The main fibres at a glance
| Fibre | Feels and wears | Things to know |
|---|---|---|
| Cotton | Soft, breathable, easy to wash | Can shrink if washed hot or tumble dried, and creases easily |
| Linen | Cool, crisp, textured | Creases readily (that's part of the look) and softens with washing |
| Wool | Warm, breathes well, resists odour | Many wools need gentle or hand washing; can shrink or felt if washed wrong |
| Silk | Smooth, light, drapes well | Often needs hand washing or dry cleaning |
| Viscose / rayon | Soft, drapey, can feel silky | Can shrink and weaken when wet; check care instructions closely |
| Polyester | Durable, quick-drying, holds its shape | Less breathable; can hold odours |
| Nylon (polyamide) | Strong, light, stretchy in blends | Common in activewear and hosiery |
| Elastane (spandex in the US) | Adds stretch | Small amounts make a big difference to fit and comfort |
| Acrylic | Wool-like and inexpensive | Can pill over time |
Blends: read the percentages
Most clothes are blends, and the label lists each fibre with a percentage, largest first.
- A small amount of elastane in jeans or trousers means more comfort and stretch.
- Cotton-polyester blends usually crease less and dry faster than pure cotton.
- Wool blends with synthetics can be easier to care for, but may feel less warm or soft.
- "Cashmere blend" or "silk blend" may contain only a small share of the fibre in the name. Check the percentage before paying a premium.
Fabric weight (GSM)
Some product pages list fabric weight as GSM (grams per square metre), or in ounces per square yard in the US, especially for T-shirts, denim, towels and bedding.
- Lower numbers mean lighter, thinner fabric: cooler, but more likely to be see-through.
- Higher numbers mean heavier, more substantial fabric: warmer and often more durable.
- Compare like with like. GSM is most useful when comparing similar items, such as two plain T-shirts. A light linen and a light jersey of the same weight can feel very different.
If no weight is given, look at reviews and close-up photos for hints like "thin", "sheer" or "heavy".
Care labels and shrinkage
The care instructions on the product page should match the label sewn into the garment. Before you buy, ask whether you're willing to follow them.
- Machine washable is the easiest. Note the temperature.
- Hand wash only or dry clean only adds time and cost over the life of the garment.
- Do not tumble dry is common for cotton, wool and viscose, which can shrink with heat.
- "Pre-shrunk" means the fabric was treated to reduce shrinkage. It reduces the risk; it doesn't remove it.
If you're between sizes and the fabric is likely to shrink, factor that in. Our guide to reading clothing size charts explains how stretch and fit interact.
Sustainability labels: what they do and don't guarantee
Phrases like "eco", "conscious" and "sustainable" have no single agreed definition. Treat them as marketing until you see specifics.
- Named certifications are more meaningful than vague claims. A credible label usually names the standard and explains what it covers, for example organic fibre content, recycled content, restricted chemicals or factory conditions.
- Each certification covers something specific. A label about organic fibre doesn't automatically cover working conditions, and a recycled-content label doesn't say anything about dyes.
- Check whether it applies to the whole product or just one material in it.
- "Recycled" percentages should be stated. "Made with recycled materials" could mean a small share.
- Durability counts too. A well-made garment you wear for years is often a better choice than one with a green label that wears out fast.
Check the store as well
Fabric details are only useful if they're accurate. A store that gives no composition, no care instructions and no contact details deserves extra caution; see our checklist for whether an online store is legit.
The short version
Find the composition and care section on every product page, read the blend percentages, use GSM to compare similar items, take care labels seriously if you want to avoid shrinkage, and look for named certifications rather than vague green words.