Hold the fabric up to the light and see what happens

Short answer: If you can see your fingers clearly through the fabric, it is thin or loosely knitted. That says something about both coverage and durability.

What you can see

Hold the fabric up to a window. A densely knitted fabric lets a little light through and looks even. A loosely knitted one shows clear gaps between the stitches and lets a lot of light through.

What it means in wear

A lot of light means transparency in daylight and less durability. For a white t-shirt or a light blouse it is the most important test you can do before buying. See bamboo t-shirts for women.

Irregularities also show

Against the light you can see whether the yarn is evenly spun or has thick and thin sections. Even yarn gives a better looking and more durable fabric. See bamboo clothing for women and bamboo t-shirts for men.

Frequently asked questions

Is thin fabric always bad

No. For summer clothing and underwear, thin is an advantage. It depends on purpose.

What about dark colours

Dark fabric is less transparent whatever the density. The test says most about light colours.

Can you test it in a shop

Yes, hold the garment up to a window or against a lamp.