How to read a garment label

Every garment sold in most countries is required to have a label listing its fiber content, care instructions, and country of origin. Learning to read these labels quickly is one of the simplest ways to make more informed clothing choices.

Fiber content is listed by percentage, with the dominant fiber first. '100% Organic Cotton' is straightforward, but labels like '60% Polyester, 35% Cotton, 5% Spandex' tell you the garment is majority synthetic. The higher the synthetic percentage, the more likely it is to trap heat and shed microplastics.

Care symbols are standardized internationally (ISO 3758). The five basic symbols represent washing, bleaching, drying, ironing, and professional care. A crossed-out symbol means 'do not' — for example, a crossed-out triangle means 'do not bleach.'

Country of origin indicates where the garment was assembled, but not necessarily where the fabric was woven or the fiber was grown. A shirt 'Made in Italy' might use fabric woven in China from cotton grown in India. For full supply chain transparency, look for brands that disclose their entire production chain.