FabricIQ
Reading the label…
B
72/100
01Verdict
Safe to wear, but rough on the environment.
Best for Safe to wear; production isn't clean — donate when done.
Material B · 72Health B · 76Eco · 66Label · high
Why this material grade?
This product scored 72/100 on the material-quality rubric (durability, comfort, breathability, warmth, moisture-wicking, care-ease), based on its composition of 70% Lyocell, 30% Polyester. Sustainability is scored separately as the Eco Rating. Blended from 70% Lyocell, 30% Polyester — the score is a weighted average based on each material's proportion.
B (70-84): Good material composition — above average across most axes.
Good quality
Well-balanced fabric that should serve you well. Follow the care guide to maximize lifespan.
Great fabric value
$89Better-than-typical fabric for this category, at a below-median price.
$1.24 per quality point Category median: $98 · grade C
Fabric value only — compares material quality to price vs other shirts. Construction, fit, and brand aren't measured.
02Breakdown
Composition
70% Lyocell, 30% Polyester
Plastic-based — sheds microplastics in wash
Added Apr 6, 2026 · Data last updated Apr 6, 2026
Sustainability is scored separately — see the Eco Rating below.
🔬
Every wash of synthetic fabric releases up to 700,000 microplastic fibers into waterways. Use a Guppyfriend bag to catch them.
🌍
This fabric will take 200+ years to decompose. That means a shirt you buy today will still exist in the year 2226.
⚖️
Lyocell (score 80) is carrying this blend. Polyester (score 52) is pulling it down.
03Network
Cost per wear
rough estimate89¢/wear · 100 expected wears
Reasonable cost-per-wear
How we got there
Base for Shirts: 100 expected wears.
× 1.00 for Lyocell (mid-durability fiber, durability 71).
= 100 expected wears. $89 ÷ 100 ≈ 89¢/wear.
Missing GSM — this is a category-level estimate, not garment-specific. Expect ±30% variance.
Real life is messier than a formula: how often you wash, how you wash, whether you wear it inside-out, dry on low — all of it shifts the number. This is the ceiling under reasonable care.
Care Guide
Decode symbolsWash
cold (30°C)
Bleach
Do not bleach
Dry
line dry
Iron
Best For
👕Everyday Casual
ExcellentExcellent comfort (75) and easy care (70) for daily wear
👔Formal/Office
ExcellentExcellent durability (71) and comfort (75) for office wear
🏃Athletic Wear
GoodGood breathability (66) and moisture wicking (64) for light activity
😴Sleepwear
GoodGood comfort (75) and breathability (66) for sleeping
🌧️Rain/Weather
GoodGood moisture wicking (64) and durability (71) for weather protection
⛰️Outdoor/Hiking
GoodGood durability (71) and breathability (66) for outdoor activities
Better Alternatives
Higher-rated shirts products — each card shows how much better this alt scores vs your current product.
04Tradeoffs
Health Impact
Microplastic shedding · skin-contact synthetic load · likely chemical treatments
B76/100
Low health impact — predominantly natural fibers with no major treatment flags.
Microplastics MEDIUM
700,000 fibers/wash
Skin contact MODERATE
30% synthetic
Chemicals LOW
Antimony
- Antimony (trace): Virgin polyester contains trace antimony from PET production. Recycled polyester reduces but does not eliminate it.
30% synthetic content (polyester). Moderate microplastic shedding — a washing bag catches 86% of fibers.
Biodegradability
Not BiodegradableMaterials will persist in the environment for decades.
What this score doesn't measure
- ×Fiber grade. Staple length, micronaire, strength. "100% cotton" could be short-staple upland or long-staple Pima — same label, very different fabric.
- ×Yarn processing. Singles count, ply (single vs two-ply), spinning method (open-end vs ring-spun vs compact), mercerization. Invisible from any label.
- ×Knit / weave structure. Single jersey vs interlock, knit tightness. A loose knit pills; a tight knit lasts.
- ×Fabric weight (GSM). One construction signal among several — and high GSM can come from loose cheap yarn just as easily as from fine tight yarn. We have it for blank manufacturers, rarely for retail.
- ×Pre-shrink processing. Sanforized cotton shrinks ~1%; non-sanforized can shrink up to 10%. Not visible from the composition tag.
- ×Construction quality. Stitch density (SPI), seam types, collar geometry, manufacturing tolerances (AQL). These often matter more than the fiber itself.
- ×Specific chemical loads. Health Impact flags "likely PFAS / possible formaldehyde" from composition × category — we don't lab-test individual SKUs.
We rate the fabric, not the garment. Composition is the floor of what you're guaranteed to be getting — most shoppers don't have that.
05Action
