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For a long period of time, consumers have been scratching their heads when it comes to reading and understanding clothing labels.

FABRIC 101: Why clothing labels are important

We complain about how scratchy they are and we cut them from our garments. But as brand transparency is increasing globally, this is the time not only for label tags to become more helpful but also for consumers to understand them better.

Traditionally, labels showcase only the brand logo and care instructions, but there's more to them than meets the eye.

Here are the top three things to look out for:

Who made my clothes?

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It's @fash_rev week! On the 5th anniversary of the Bangladesh's Rana Plaza garment factory collapse, which killed 1,138 people and injured many more due to management's ignorance of structural building failures, we encourage millions of people to ask brands #whomademyclothes and demand greater transparency in the fashion supply chain. In real time, say hi to our lovely factory situated in Bucharest, Romania and finishing the restock of our bestselling Power Move Trousers. We'll be sharing through the week so stay tuned! #fashionrevolution #fashrev 📷 @geaninataskiran

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By now, we're all used to our clothing labels stating 'Made in China.' However, this is not enough information for consumers to understand who made their clothes. Thanks to reports such as Oxfam and Fashion Revolution, we know that the majority of garment workers aren't provided with a living wage.

Labeling can contain certifications which are evidence of workers being paid fairly such as Fairtrade Australia. For those that don't have certifications, it by no means indicates unethical treatment so make sure to look into their worker's rights on the brand's website. If your favorite clothing label does not provide enough information, ask -- Who made my clothes?

Made from…

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The material of your clothes also has a huge impact on both the environment and the quality of the clothing. The materials can be incredibly confusing and to this day, there's no right answer for what clothing should be made from.

But, it's important to look at fibers and be well-informed of the pros and cons for both the environment and your own comfort. Here's a quick guide we've already crafted for you.

Clothing care

This part of the garment label is actually one of the most essential parts.

Clothing care can make a big difference in the length of time your clothes survive. The longer they survive in good quality, the more time they are kept out of landfills. Washing your clothes is really important for oceans too, with microfiber pollution becoming a huge environmental issue.

For help with symbols on the care label, see the image below and stick to it!

• Wash labels

• Drying labels

• Ironing labels

If you aren't sure or are unhappy with the label and the brand's transparency, be an active consumer and ask questions. As consumers, we can no longer rely on brand to make better choices. We must search for information and find out ourselves.

Checking out the label and understanding it's information is just the start. Know the story of your garment, it's one of the most important steps that shouldn't be skipped over.

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