What a composition of 95 and 5 means
Short answer: The figures are percentages by weight. Ninety five percent of the fabric's weight is the main fibre, and five percent is elastane, which gives the fabric stretch. Together they make a hundred percent, and the order shows which fibre makes up most of the fabric.
The percentages are weight, not volume
Elastane is light and thin. Five percent of the weight therefore takes up more than five percent of the fabric and affects it far more than the figure suggests. That is why a garment with very little elastane can still give clearly when you pull it, and spring back when you let go.
The order is not random
Fibres must be listed by falling weight. What comes first is there in the largest amount, and it is the fibre that shapes how the fabric behaves and looks. Always look at the first fibre when you want to understand what you are holding, and read the rest of the list afterwards.
What the main fibre decides
The main fibre decides how the fabric feels on the skin, how it drapes and how it takes up moisture. It sets the basic character, while a small share of elastane adjusts the fabric only a little. A garment like the bamboo long sleeve t-shirt for men gets its feel from the main fibre.
What elastane does
Elastane gives stretch and recovery, so the garment follows the body and returns to its shape. Even a small share can make a difference to the fit, especially around sleeves, cuffs and waistbands. Without elastane the fabric gives mostly through the structure of the knit, and you notice it clearly when you put the garment on.
What zero percent elastane means
If it says zero percent elastane, you can expect a softer garment that does not squeeze, but also one that bags out a little sooner at the knees and elbows. That is not a fault but a choice. For bedding such as bamboo sheets, stretch is not wanted, because the fabric should lie flat.
What viscose from bamboo means
If it says viscose from bamboo, the fibre is made from bamboo cellulose through the viscose process. It is therefore a regenerated fibre, not bamboo in its original form. Read the whole declaration to see what else is included and how large a share each fibre makes up.
Tolerance on the figures
There is an agreed tolerance on the declaration, typically a couple of percentage points. If it says ninety five and five, the real content can lie close to that, but not necessarily exactly on it. The difference cannot be felt in the clothes and does not change what the garment is or how it behaves.
How to read a declaration yourself
Read from left to right and look for the first fibre. Then check whether there is elastane and how much. Compare with what you expect of the garment, for example bamboo underpants for men, where a little stretch helps the fit. Then you know what the figures mean for you.
In short
The declaration tells you what the fabric consists of, measured by weight. The first figure is the main fibre, and elastane is the small part that gives stretch. With that knowledge you can compare two garments on equal terms and choose the one that suits what you need it for.
Frequently asked questions
Must the percentages always add up to a hundred?
Yes, the whole composition must come to a hundred percent. If your sum comes out differently, a fibre is missing from the list.
What does viscose from bamboo mean?
That the fibre is made from bamboo cellulose through the viscose process. It is therefore regenerated, which is different from using the plant itself.
Can the label be imprecise?
There is an agreed tolerance, typically a couple of percentage points, so the figure can differ a little from the actual content without being wrong under the rules.
You can find the full range at Bamboo-Clothing.com.
