Why care labels sit in the side seam

Short answer: The care label moved from the neck to the side seam because it scratched the skin. At the side it lies flat, rarely bothers you and is still easy to find when it is time to wash.

The label used to sit at the neck

For many years, the care label almost always sat at the neck. It was a practical spot, since there was already a seam there. But the neck is also one of the places where you feel clothing the most, and many people cut the label off. Today it more often sits at the side, for a simple reason.

The neck is the most sensitive spot

The skin at the neck is thin and moves a lot when you turn your head. A stiff label can be felt all day and may itch. That is why the label now sits at the side of women's bamboo t-shirts. So you do not have to think about it when you wear the top from morning to evening.

The side seam is a calm spot

At the hip, the fabric lies still against the body, and the label is not pressed into the skin with every movement. The side seam is also strong enough to hold the label through many washes. The same goes for women's bamboo underwear, where a label in the waistband could otherwise be clearly felt.

Printed instead of sewn

Some items have the information printed straight onto the fabric, so there is nothing to scratch. The print holds the same details as a sewn label, just without an edge. You see it more and more on a women's bamboo sweatshirt. Printed labels fade faster over time, but they never scratch the skin.

Why there can be two labels

You often find two labels on the same item. One gives fibre content and care, the other gives the size. The size often sits where it is easy to see, while the care label sits in the side seam. That makes it easy to find the right size in the drawer and still have the care instructions when you wash.

Can you move a label yourself

You can unpick a label at the neck and sew it into the side, but it is rarely worth the effort. If the label bothers you, it is easier to cut it off close to the seam. Just write down the fibre content and care instructions first, or take a photo, so you have them for the next wash.

What to remember day to day

If you are looking for the care instructions, check the left side seam, around the hip. That is where the label sits on most newer items. The label softens after the first few washes, so what feels a little stiff at first usually settles. It is a small detail, but it makes clothing more comfortable all day.

Frequently asked questions

Can you move a label yourself?

You can unpick it and sew it into the side, but it is rarely worth the effort. It is often easier to cut it off and keep the details somewhere else.

Do printed labels last as long?

They fade faster, but they never scratch. So it is a good idea to photograph a printed label while it is new, so you keep the details.

Why are there two labels?

One is fibre content and care, the other is size. They often sit in different places, so the size is easy to see and the care label does not bother you.