Composition guide · Reviewed 13 August 2026

How to read a clothing composition label.

A fiber list is useful only when you know which part of the garment it describes.

Start with the component

Look for shell, main material, lining, filling, coating and trim. Read each component separately because one garment can contain several different lists.

Check the percentages

Within a component, check whether the listed percentages explain the whole component. If a retailer summary is incomplete, record that gap rather than guessing the remainder.

Keep categories in context

Cotton, linen and wool are commonly described as natural fibers; polyester and polyamide are synthetic; viscose, modal and lyocell are regenerated cellulosic fibers. The label states content, not how a specific garment will feel, fit or last.

Keep the source visible

Product pages change. Save the current link, selected variant and any correction you make. CATWLK’s method leaves missing information visible.