How to Read a Clothing Fibre Composition Label
CULM · 27 Aug 2026
A clothing fibre composition label tells you which fibres are present in a garment and their proportions. If a shirt says 55% hemp and 45% cotton, that is a composition statement. It does not tell you the weave, fabric weight, finishing method, fit or quality—but it gives you one of the clearest facts about what you are buying.
CULM treats fibre composition as essential product information because precise percentages are more useful than broad phrases such as “natural,” “eco fabric” or “hemp-inspired.”
What does a fibre percentage mean?
A percentage shows how much of the stated textile composition is attributed to a fibre. For example, a 100% hemp garment is materially different from a hemp blend, while a garment with a small hemp percentage should not be described in a way that hides the rest of its composition.
The composition label should be your starting point when a product page uses a fibre name prominently.
Does the first fibre listed matter?
Composition labels commonly present fibre percentages clearly, making it possible to see which fibre forms the largest share. Labelling conventions can vary by market, so the percentages themselves are more useful than assuming a rule from the order of words alone.
If a product says “hemp shirt” in the headline but the composition is a blend, the exact percentages should still be easy to find.
Is “linen” a weave or a fibre?
In apparel, linen normally refers to textile made from flax fibre. It is not simply another word for a loose summer weave. A linen-look fabric can be made from other fibres, so appearance should not replace composition information.
Read What Is Linen Fabric? for more context.
Is “bamboo” enough information?
Not always. Bamboo identifies a plant feedstock, but many bamboo textiles are regenerated cellulosic fibres such as viscose/rayon or lyocell. The more useful description names the actual fibre route and percentage composition rather than stopping at the feedstock name.
What is a fibre blend?
A blend combines two or more fibres in one textile. Designers use blends to tune properties such as softness, drape, structure, stretch, strength, surface character or care. The fact that a garment is blended does not tell you whether it is high or low quality.
What matters is whether the blend serves the garment and whether the brand explains it accurately.
Why can two 100% cotton shirts feel different?
Because composition is only one variable. Yarn size, yarn twist, weave, knit structure, fabric weight, finishing, washing and garment construction can all change feel and performance. The same principle applies to hemp, linen, wool and other fibres.
A composition label answers “what fibres?” It does not answer every question about the cloth.
What else should I read besides composition?
- Care label: tells you how the specific garment should be washed, dried or otherwise maintained.
- Fabric description: may explain weave, knit, weight, texture or finish.
- Fit and measurements: tell you how the garment is intended to sit on the body.
- Origin or making information: useful when it is verified and product-specific.
- Certification details: should identify the actual standard rather than relying on vague badges.
Can composition tell me whether a garment is sustainable?
No. Composition is important, but it is not a complete impact assessment. Agriculture or feedstock, processing, spinning, weaving, dyeing, finishing, transport, durability, care and end of life all contribute to the wider picture.
How does CULM present fibre information?
CULM’s principle is simple: name the fibre, show the percentage, explain relevant construction and avoid filling missing information with marketing. Product-specific composition should always take priority over a broad brand-level material story.
Continue with the CULM Fibre Guide, Traceability and How Fibre Blends Change Clothing.