A tag is usually two centimeters wide and contains more useful information than the entire product description. It tells you what the underwear is made of, how it will behave after five washes, and what you should avoid if you want it to last a season. Below, we explain what you'll find on it and how to read it.
What must be on the tag
In the European Union, manufacturers are obliged to state the raw material composition of textile products in percentages, in descending order. Additionally, you will usually find the size, care symbols, and country of manufacture on the tag. The composition is regulated information – marketing slogans on the packaging are not.
Composition: order matters
The fiber listed first constitutes the largest part of the product. The label "95% cotton, 5% elastane" means a cotton knit that is meant to stretch and return to shape. The label "88% polyamide, 12% elastane" is typical smooth microfiber.
Pay attention to the composition given separately for parts of the product – in bras, this often looks like: "cup: 100% polyester; lace: 90% polyamide, 10% elastane; crotch insert: 100% cotton". This is normal and does not indicate lower quality at all.
Most common fibers in underwear
| Fiber | What it provides | What to watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Cotton | breathable, absorbs moisture, pleasant on the skin | slow to dry, shrinks at high temperatures |
| Polyamide (nylon) | smooth, durable, drapes well | poor moisture absorption |
| Elastane (Lycra, spandex) | stretch and shape retention | damaged by hot water, dryer, and fabric softener |
| Polyester | durable, quick-drying, holds cup shape | less breathable than cotton |
| Viscose, modal | softness and cool touch | weakens when wet, requires gentle washing |
| Bamboo viscose | soft, absorbent, pleasant to the touch | this is a chemical fiber from bamboo cellulose, not "natural bamboo" |
| Silk | smooth, lightweight, thermoregulating | requires hand washing, sensitive to detergents |
| Wool (merino) | warms, manages moisture | wool program, no wringing |
Underwear grouped by material can be found in the cotton underwear, bamboo underwear, and silk underwear sections.
How much elastane is needed and why
Elastane is almost never present in a large proportion – it's usually between 3 and 15 percent, and that's perfectly sufficient. It's responsible for one thing: the fabric's return to shape after stretching. Without it, cotton briefs would start to wrinkle and slip down after a few hours of wear, and the bra band would stop providing support.
A rule of thumb when buying: for cotton panties, 5–8% elastane is a comfortable range, for socks 2–5% is enough, and in bra bands and sports models, there can be more. If elastic underwear contains no elastane at all, expect the garment to stretch in the wash and not return to its original shape.
Care symbols: five signs and all clear
| Symbol | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Basin with water | washing. The number inside is the maximum temperature. One line below the basin – gentle cycle, two – very gentle. Hand in basin – hand wash only. Crossed out basin – do not wash. |
| Triangle | bleaching. Crossed out triangle – do not bleach, and this is the case for most colored underwear. |
| Square | drying. Square with a circle means tumble dryer; crossed out – do not tumble dry. Square with a horizontal line in the middle – dry flat, which applies to most bras and wool knitwear. |
| Iron | ironing. Dots indicate temperature: one – low (up to 110 °C), two – medium, three – high. Crossed out – do not iron. |
| Circle | professional cleaning. The letter inside tells the dry cleaner what solvent to use. Rarely found in underwear. |
The most important practical conclusion: the temperature on the tag is a maximum, not a recommendation. It's almost always better to wash underwear with elastane at a cooler temperature than the tag allows. We've compiled this in our guide how to wash underwear and bras.
Size on the tag vs. size in the store
Underwear sizes are not standardized across countries and brands. On tags, you'll find Polish sizing (75B), French sizing (90B, meaning the band size increased by 15), and for socks – shoe size ranges. That's why the same person's size can differ by one increment between brands. This is not an error, but a different measuring system. A size chart is helpful in such cases.
Where to find the tag and what to do if it's missing
In panties, the tag is usually sewn into the back seam or printed directly on the fabric – the latter option is increasingly common in seamless models, as a sewn-in tag would create a bump. In a bra, the tag may be hidden under the band at the back, near the clasp, or sewn into the side of the cup. For socks, information about the composition is most often found only on the banderole, so it's worth reading it before discarding the packaging.
If there is no tag anywhere and the product is sold without packaging, the composition should be provided in the store's description. Its absence is information in itself: it's impossible to predict how the product will behave after washing.
What the tag won't tell you
The composition doesn't tell you everything about quality. Two fabrics with identical compositions can differ in yarn thickness, weave density, and finish – and one will be like new after a year, while the other will be pilled. However, the tag helps to rule out obviously unsuitable choices: pure polyester in a model worn all day in summer, lack of elastane in underwear that is supposed to fit snugly, or the requirement of hand washing for an item in daily rotation.
Most frequent questions
Is it worth cutting off tags?
If they scratch, you can cut off just the insert with symbols, but it's a good idea to take a photo of it first. It's best not to touch the size tag sewn into the seam, as disturbing the seam weakens the fabric.
What does "combed cotton" mean?
This is cotton from which short fibers have been removed. The result: a smoother, more durable fabric that is less prone to pilling. Hence its presence in dress socks.
Why does "bamboo" underwear have viscose in its composition?
Because the fiber is chemically derived from bamboo cellulose – the correct name is bamboo viscose. It is soft and absorbent, but it is not the same as a natural fiber in the sense of cotton or linen. It's worth knowing this so you don't pay for a buzzword.
Does composition determine the price?
Partially. The price is also influenced by the fabric density, the number of components, the finish, and the origin. A high cotton content alone does not guarantee that the product will be durable.