Why Blended Fabrics Are Mislabeled So Often
Blended fabrics miss their labels more often than single-fiber garments. Here’s why that happens and what it means when you shop.
A label that reads “60% cotton, 40% polyester” makes a very specific claim. And when researchers test fabric blends against their labels, that’s the kind of claim that misses most often.
Here’s why a cotton blend label is harder to get right, and why there’s no need to swear off blends entirely.
How Often Are Fabric Blends Mislabeled?
In a 2019 study commissioned by the Dutch government, researchers scanned more than 10,000 used garments. Cotton-polyester blend labels were accurate only about 23% of the time.
A 2026 EU inspection campaign found the same pattern: blends missed their labels more often than garments claiming a single fiber.
Why Are Blends So Hard to Label Correctly?
Partly, it’s just math. A blend label has two or three numbers that all need to be right, while a single-fiber label has one.
Supply chains matter too. Yarns come from different suppliers, substitutions happen partway through production, and the finished fabric is rarely retested.
In the 2019 Dutch study, cotton-rich blends often listed more cotton than they contained, and cotton is the fiber shoppers pay extra for. Labels sometimes mislead in ways that lean in the seller’s favor.
What Does This Mean When You Shop?
Don’t write off blends. A little polyester adds durability, and a little elastane adds stretch. The concern is label accuracy, not the fabric itself.
Read the percentages, not the marketing. A garment marketed as “cotton” may be a blend. The fiber line tells you the actual claim.
Consider single-fiber garments when accuracy matters most. A one-fiber label is a simpler claim, and simpler claims tend to test more accurately.
How Can Lynen Help You Check a Blend Label?
A label tells you what the manufacturer says is in the garment, and with blends, that claim misses more often than most.
Lynen helps you go beyond the label by checking fiber composition against independent testing when verification is available, so you can see whether that “60% cotton” holds up.
Blends can be comfortable, durable, and a great value. Buy the ones you love! Just read their labels with a little extra care.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are blended fabrics bad?
No. Blends can add stretch, durability, and easier care, and many people prefer how they feel. The research is about label accuracy, not fabric quality.
Why are cotton blend labels so often inaccurate?
Blend labels have more numbers to get right, and long supply chains mean substitutions and small errors can accumulate. A 2019 Dutch government study found cotton-polyester blend labels accurate only about 23% of the time.
Are 100% cotton labels more reliable than blend labels?
Generally, yes. Single-fiber claims have tested more accurately than blends, partly because one fiber is a simpler claim to get right. It’s still a claim rather than a guarantee, though.
Keep reading
How Often Are Clothing Labels Wrong? Here’s What the Research Shows
Researchers have tested how well clothing labels match the actual fabric. Here’s what the studies found and what you can do about it.
Read →
Is Polyester Good for Workout Clothes?
Polyester dominates activewear for a reason. Here’s what it does well, what testing has found, and how to choose workout clothes with confidence.
Read →
How to Read a Clothing Label: What the Tag Really Tells You
The fabric content label tells you more than you might think. Here’s how to read clothing labels quickly, and what those percentages really mean.
Read →