Textiles, Clothing and Consumer Choice
What this domain tests
Fibre knowledge, fabric construction, care requirements and the consumer decisions behind clothing and household textiles, including labelling law and sustainability.
Core rules
- Natural fibres: cotton and linen (cellulosic, absorbent, flammable, crease easily); wool and silk (protein, warm, damaged by strong alkali and hot water, wool attacked by moths).
- Regenerated fibres from cellulose: viscose, modal, lyocell - often miscalled synthetic.
- Synthetic: polyester, polyamide (nylon), acrylic, elastane. They are thermoplastic, have low absorbency, pill, hold static and melt rather than burn.
- Staple fibres (short, spun, such as cotton) versus filament (continuous, such as silk and polyester). Staple fibres trap air, so they feel warmer.
- Yarn twist and ply affect strength and smoothness.
- Woven fabrics use warp (lengthwise) and weft: plain, twill (diagonal, hard-wearing, e.g. denim) and satin (floats, lustrous, snag-prone). Knitted fabrics form loops and stretch (wale and course); non-woven fabrics include felt.
- Blends combine properties: polycotton gives durability and easy care with some absorbency.
- Finishes: mercerising (cotton lustre and strength), sanforising (shrinkage control), water-repellent, flame-retardant, anti-static.
- Labels must state fibre composition and care instructions using ISO 3758 symbols.
- Sustainability: fast fashion, microfibre shedding, water use, unsafe factories, circular economy, repair and resale.
Worked example
Choosing fabric for children's nightwear. Flammability comes first: loose cotton burns quickly, while polyester melts and can fuse to skin, so a flame-retardant finish or a snug fit matters. Comfort and skin sensitivity then favour absorbent cotton; durability and frequent hot washing favour polycotton. A good answer justifies the trade-off rather than simply listing fibres.
Traps that cost marks
- Calling viscose synthetic - it is regenerated from cellulose.
- Assuming natural always means sustainable (cotton's water footprint).
- Confusing twill with a knitted rib.
- Ignoring care-label instructions when asked to select a fabric.