Have you ever picked up a beautiful pair of pajamas, loved the color, the fit, and the style so much that you decided they had to come home with you? Only then to discover later that they're made from a fabric you know nothing about?
We've all been there. The truth is, stopping for clothing is about more than how something looks on the hanger or feels in the dressing room. What a garment is made of, how it's constructed, and how it's meant to be cared for can make a meaningful difference in how you experience it over time.
That's where the clothing label comes in.
Often tucked away along a side seam or inside the neckline, that little tag is easy to overlook. But it's one of the most useful tools you have when making a more informed purchase. Learning how to read clothing labels can help you understand fabric content, recognize blends, compare materials, and know what to expect from the garment you're buying.
So before you add another piece to your closet, take a moment to look beyond the color and price tag. Here's what to check.
1. Start with the Fabric Composition
The most important place to begin.
If there's one part of a clothing label worth paying attention to, it's the fiber content.
Fabric composition tells you what a garment is actually made from and, when multiple fibers are used, how much of each is included. In the United States, most textile products are required to disclose their fiber content, country of origin, and the identity of the manufacturer or another responsible business.
You might see labels that read:
- 100% cotton
- 95% bamboo viscose, 5% spandex
- 80% polyester, 20% cotton
- 70% linen, 30% rayon
These percentages aren't just technical details. They help explain the characteristics you can expect from a fabric.
For example, cotton is known for its familiar, natural feel, while polyester is a synthetic fiber often used for durability and wrinkle resistance. The fabric linen features a unique texture and is prized for its lightness. Viscose, meanwhile, is a regenerated cellulosic fiber often chosen for its smooth, fluid drape.
Why does this matter?
Two garments can look almost identical on a rack but feel completely different when you wear them. Checking the fiber content gives you a better idea of what you're bringing home instead of relying on a product description or a quick touch.
For Earthly Threads bamboo viscose pajamas, our fabrics combine 95% bamboo viscose with 5% spandex. That small amount of spandex adds stretch and flexibility, while bamboo viscose gives the fabric its silky-smooth feel and luxurious drape. Our bamboo sheets, on the other hand, are made from 100% bamboo viscose.
2. Understand What Fabric Blends Mean
Seeing more than one fiber listed on a clothing label isn't necessarily a bad thing. In fact, blends are often intentional.
Different fibers bring different characteristics to a garment, and combining them can create a fabric that balances comfort, durability, stretch, texture, and appearance.
Here are a few common examples:
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Cotton & Polyester: Often blended to combine cotton's familiar feel with polyester's durability and wrinkle resistance.
- Cotton & Elastane (Spandex): Adds stretch and flexibility to otherwise less-stretchy cotton fabrics.
- Viscose & Spandex: Combines viscose's smooth drape with added stretch and ease of movement.
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Wool & Nylon: Nylon can help improve the durability of wool garments.
Take note that neither a 100% fiber composition nor a blended fabric is automatically better. It comes down to what you're looking for and how you plan to wear the garment.
A little stretch might be exactly what you want in a pajama set. A more structured fabric might make sense for everyday trousers. The key is understanding why a particular blend is used and whether it suits your needs.
3. Look Beyond Familiar Fabric Names
Here's where clothing labels can get a little confusing.
Some fibers have familiar names, while others are described using technical terms that aren't always easy to recognize. You might see rayon, viscose, modal, lyocell, elastane, or regenerated cellulose and wonder what they actually mean.
Let's break down a few:
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Rayon: A manufactured fiber made from regenerated cellulose.
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Viscose: A common type of rayon.
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Modal: A type of regenerated cellulose fiber made from processed cellulose, commonly from beechwood.
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Lyocell: Another regenerated cellulose fiber, produced using a different manufacturing process.
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Elastane or Spandex: A synthetic fiber that provides stretch and recovery.
One important distinction worth understanding is bamboo viscose.
You may see clothing advertised as bamboo fabric, but the name alone doesn't tell you how the material was made. Many soft bamboo-based textiles are actually rayon or viscose made using bamboo as the plant-based cellulose source. The Federal Trade Commission explains that these products should be identified as rayon or viscose made from bamboo unless they are made directly from actual bamboo fiber.
It's important to know what you're wearing, and that's what we believe at Earthly Threads. Our bamboo viscose fabric starts with bamboo as its cellulose source, which is processed and regenerated into a smooth textile fiber. It isn't the same thing as wearing a piece of raw bamboo.
And that's precisely why understanding the label matters: it helps you distinguish the source material from the finished textile.
Learn more about the bamboo viscose process →
4. Pay Attention to the Care Instructions
A fabric can feel wonderful when you first bring it home, but knowing how to care for it is part of making that purchase last.
Care instructions are usually found on a separate tag or alongside the fiber composition. They explain how a garment should be washed, dried, ironed, or professionally cleaned.
Common instructions include:
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Machine wash cold: Wash in cold water using a washing machine.
- Machine wash warm: Wash using warm water, according to the garment's instructions.
- Hand wash: Gently wash by hand rather than using a machine.
- Do not bleach: Avoid chlorine or other bleaching products.
- Tumble dry low: Use a low-heat dryer setting.
- Lay flat to dry: Place the garment flat while it dries to help maintain its shape.
- Do no iron: Avoid applying an iron to the fabric.
You may also see small laundry symbols instead of written instructions. They convey the same overall care details, so it's worth learning the basics.
Why does this matter?
The wrong washing or drying routine can affect a garment's shape, texture, color, and overall condition. Even a well-made piece needs the right care.
For bamboo viscose clothing, we recommend following the specific care instructions provided with the garment. Gentle washing and avoiding excessive heat can help preserve its smooth feel and appearance.
A little extra attention on laundry day can go a long way.
Read our Care & Maintenance Guide for Bamboo Products for more information!
5. Check the Country of Origin
Another detail worth noticing is where a garment was made.
Most textile products sold in the United States must disclose their country of origin. This information can appear as "Made in..." or another clear statement identifying where the product was manufactured or processed.
But what does that tell you?
Country-of-origin information helps you understand where the finished garment was made. It doesn't automatically tell you where the raw fibers were grown, where the fabric was spun, or where every stage of production took place.
Textile supply chains can involve several countries, with raw materials, yarn production, fabric manufacturing, dyeing, and garment assembly taking place in different locations.
If ethical sourcing or manufacturing transparency is important to you, look beyond the country name. Explore whether the brand shares information about its suppliers, production practices, and material sourcing.
Although a label gives a basic introduction, understanding a brand's supply chain transparency tells you far more about the product and the brand behind it.
6. Look for Certifications and What They Actually Mean
You may have noticed certification logos on clothing tags, packaging, or product pages. These can be useful indicators when you're trying to understand how a product has been tested or evaluated.
One certification worth knowing is OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100.
What does it mean?
OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 is a textile testing certification focused on harmful substances. Products bearing the label have passed testing against a list of more than 1,000 harmful substances. Testing requirements vary depending on the intended use of the product and how closely it comes into contact with skin.
For example, the standard has different product classes, with Class I covering products for babies and children up to three years old and having the strictest requirements. Class II covers products with direct skin contact, including bed linens.
This is an important difference to consider when shopping for pajamas, baby garments, and bedding, as they often stay in contact with your skin for a long time.
However, it's important to understand what a certification does and doesn't mean. OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 is a test for harmful substances in the certified textile article. It is not a blanket guarantee that a product is organic, that its manufacturing process has no environmental impact, or that it will be suitable for every person's skin.
Learn more about why OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 certification matters.
7. Consider Quality Beyond the Label
Here's the part that a clothing tag can't tell you everything about.
Fiber content is important, but it isn't the only factor that determines how a garment feels or how well it holds up over time. Two pieces made from the same fiber can have noticeably different textures, construction, and performance.
Before purchasing, take a moment to consider:
- Fabric feel: Does the material feel comfortable against your skin? Is it smooth, textured, structured, or lightweight?
- Stitching: Are the seams neat and secure? Are there loose threads or uneven stitching?
- Construction: Do buttons, zippers, waistbands, and other details feel well made?
- Fabric weight: Does the material feel appropriate for the garment's intended use?
- Transparency: Does the brand clearly explain its materials, care instructions, and product details?
You might also come across terms like GSM, which stands for grams per square meter. This measures fabric weight and can help you compare the weight of similar textiles. It's not always listed on a clothing label, but when a brand shares it, it can offer another useful point of comparison.
And remember: higher weight doesn't automatically mean higher quality. The right fabric depends on how the garment is designed to feel and function.
Ultimately, quality is about more than one number or one label. It's the combination of materials, construction, comfort, and how thoughtfully a product is made.
A Little More Knowledge Goes a Long Way
Reading a clothing label might not be the most exciting part of shopping, but it can be one of the most worthwhile.
A few extra seconds spent checking the fabric composition, understanding the blend, reviewing the care instructions, and looking for meaningful certifications can help you make a more informed decision. It's a simple habit that encourages you to think beyond the price tag and consider what you're actually buying.
And that's what thoughtful shopping is all about.
At Earthly Threads, we believe comfort should come with confidence. From the silky-smooth feel of our bamboo viscose pajamas to the everyday luxury of our bamboo bedding, we're passionate about creating products that bring comfort into the little moments that matter.
Because buying better doesn't always mean buying more. Sometimes, it starts with knowing a little more about what's already in your hands.
