What should I avoid when reading clothing labels?

The biggest red flags on clothing labels are high percentages of polyester, nylon, acrylic, or unspecified synthetic blends. If a garment is 80% or more synthetic, it will behave like plastic against your skin regardless of any natural fiber mixed in. Be wary of vague terms like "performance fabric" or "technical textile" without specific fiber names, as these almost always mean polyester or nylon. Labels that list only care instructions without fiber content may be non-compliant with FTC regulations and should be avoided.

Watch out for greenwashing tactics on labels. Words like "eco," "green," "conscious," or "sustainable" on a tag do not guarantee natural fiber content. A garment labeled "made with organic cotton" might contain only 5% organic cotton and 95% polyester. Always look at the actual percentage breakdown rather than marketing language. Recycled polyester is still polyester and still sheds microplastics with every wash.

At ONDU, we do the label reading for you. Our editorial team examines the full fiber composition of every product before it is listed on our platform. If a garment does not meet our natural-fiber threshold, it does not make it onto the site, no matter how good the brand story sounds.