Sustainability GuidesChecklist and Guide

Clothing Transparency and Fabric Checklist

6 minutes to completeEvergreen guide — kept up to date

Buying clothing and want to understand the materials and sustainability claims? Use this checklist alongside product labels, brand information and clothing-transparency apps. An app score can guide your decision — but it does not replace product disclosure, certification or laboratory testing.

Buying clothing and want to understand the materials and sustainability claims? Use this checklist alongside product labels, brand information and clothing-transparency apps such as Wove. An app score can guide your decision — but it does not replace product disclosure, certification or laboratory testing.

Fabric Composition

□ Check the fibre percentages on the label or product page
□ Identify synthetic fibres (polyester, nylon, acrylic, elastane)
□ Identify natural fibres (cotton, wool, linen, silk)
□ Where relevant, check outer, lining and filling separately

Treatments

□ Look for waterproofing or water-resistance claims
□ Look for stain-resistance treatment
□ Look for odour-control claims
□ Check for a specific PFAS or PFC statement from the manufacturer

Evidence

□ Look for a recognised certification (GOTS, OEKO-TEX, bluesign)
□ Check whether the claim is independently verified or self-declared
□ Read the methodology behind any sustainability score provided
□ Distinguish confirmed facts from app estimates based on category associations

Durability

□ Check the expected use and care requirements
□ Check whether the garment can be repaired
□ Consider the likely lifespan and how often it will be worn
□ Washing method and temperature affect microfibre release — check care instructions

Sustainability Claims

□ Review recycled-content evidence — is it independently verified?
□ Check supply-chain or origin information where available
□ Look for take-back, repair or recycling options
□ Avoid acting on vague terms alone: eco, conscious, natural, planet friendly

Privacy When Using an App

□ Crop screenshots before uploading to remove personal information
□ Remove names, addresses and order numbers from images
□ Avoid photographing other people unnecessarily
□ Review app permissions and limit access to what is required

Final Decision

□ Does the product suit its intended purpose?
□ Is the information complete enough to make a confident decision?
□ Are the concerns confirmed or only possible?
□ Will the garment be used often enough to justify buying it?

A clothing score can guide your decision, but it does not replace product disclosure, certification or laboratory testing.

Plain-English Takeaway

Use this checklist alongside a clothing-transparency app, product labels and brand information. A score simplifies limited data — check the reasoning behind it, look for independent evidence and consider durability and purpose before deciding.

Downloadable guide