Material
What is this field?
The Material field describes the primary fabric or material composition of a product. It answers the question: what is this item made of?
This field should capture the actual materials used in the product, not marketing descriptions. When a product uses multiple materials, the field should reflect all significant components, ideally with approximate percentages when available.
Material data is one of the most frequently searched and filtered product attributes in fashion retail. It directly impacts purchase decisions for customers who have allergies, ethical preferences, or comfort requirements.
Business value
Why this field matters
Customers filter and search by material more than almost any other product attribute
AI-powered recommendation engines use material data to surface relevant alternatives
Material information reduces return rates by setting accurate expectations about feel and quality
Search engines and shopping feeds use material data to match products to queries
Sustainability-conscious shoppers specifically look for material transparency
Product comparison tools rely on material data to generate meaningful comparisons
TECHNICAL SETUP
Recommended setup
Field type: Multi-line text or list of single-line text entries
Namespace: custom.product
Key: material
Multi-value: Yes — allow multiple entries where applicable
STEP-BY-STEP WALKTHROUGH
How to create the Material field in Accentuate
Follow these steps to create and configure this metafield in your Accentuate dashboard.
Step 1: Navigate to metafield definitions
Open your Accentuate dashboard and go to the metafield definitions section. Select the "Product" resource type to add a new product-level metafield.
Accentuate dashboard — navigate to Products metafield definitions
Step 2: Create a new metafield
Click the "Add definition" or "Create metafield" button. Enter the namespace "custom.product" and the key "material". Set the display name to "Material".
Click “Add field” to open the creation wizard
Step 3: Select the field type
Set the field type to "Multi-line text or list of single-line text entries". Enable the "List" or multi-value option so merchants can enter multiple values.
Field type selector — select data type for the Material metafield
Step 4: Configure validation and description
Add a helpful description for merchants: "The primary fabric or material composition of this product (e.g., 95% Organic cotton, 5% Elastane)." This will appear as helper text when merchants edit the field on a product.
Description and validation settings for “Material”
Step 5: Save and verify
Save the metafield definition. Then navigate to any product and confirm that the "Material" field appears in the metafields section, ready to accept values.
The “Material” field visible on a product editing page, empty and ready
STRUCTURING GUIDANCE
How to structure the values
Use specific material names rather than generic terms. For example, use “Merino wool” instead of just “wool.”
When a product contains multiple materials, list each one separately. If percentages are known, include them (e.g., “95% Organic cotton, 5% Elastane”).
Use consistent casing and naming conventions across your catalog. Decide once whether you will use “organic cotton” or “Organic Cotton” and stick with it.
Avoid combining material with other attributes. Keep material separate from weight, texture, or finish descriptions.
If a product has multiple components (e.g., a jacket with a different lining), consider noting which material applies to which part.
USAGE CONTEXT
When to use this field
Every apparel product should have a material field populated
Accessories made from identifiable materials (leather goods, scarves, hats)
Footwear where upper and sole materials differ
Home textiles such as bedding, towels, and curtains
Any product where material composition is a factor in the purchase decision
REFERENCE VALUES
Example values
The following values are recommended starting points. Adapt them to your product catalog as needed.
Value
When to use
Cotton
General-purpose natural fiber; everyday basics and casual wear
Organic cotton
Certified organic cultivation; eco-conscious product lines
Recycled cotton
Cotton reclaimed from pre- or post-consumer waste
Wool
Natural animal fiber; knitwear, coats, and winter accessories
Merino wool
Fine-grade wool; temperature-regulating base layers and premium knits
Cashmere
Luxury fiber; premium sweaters, scarves, and accessories
Linen
Breathable plant fiber; summer garments and relaxed tailoring
Hemp
Durable, sustainable plant fiber; casual and outdoor clothing
Silk
Natural luxury fiber; eveningwear, blouses, and scarves
Polyester
Synthetic; sportswear, outerwear, and blended fabrics
Recycled polyester
Polyester derived from recycled PET; sustainability-forward products
Nylon
Durable synthetic; activewear, outerwear, and hosiery
Recycled nylon
Nylon reclaimed from waste sources (e.g., fishing nets)
Viscose / Rayon
Semi-synthetic from wood pulp; drapey dresses and blouses
Tencel / Lyocell
Sustainably produced cellulose fiber; soft and breathable garments
Denim (100% cotton)
Woven cotton twill; jeans and structured casual pieces
Leather
Animal hide; jackets, bags, belts, and footwear
Faux leather / Vegan leather
Synthetic alternative to animal leather
Elastane / Spandex
Stretch fiber usually blended; activewear and fitted garments
Modal
Beech tree cellulose; underwear, loungewear, and soft basics
The “Material” field populated with example values
RECOMMENDATIONS
Best practices
Be specific: “Merino wool” is more useful than “wool”
Include blend percentages when available: “95% Cotton, 5% Elastane”
Use consistent naming across your entire catalog
Update material data when suppliers change fabric composition
Separate primary material from lining or trim materials
Align material names with care label information for consistency
AVOID THESE
Common mistakes
Using vague terms like “mixed fabrics” or “various materials” without specifics
Listing only the dominant material when the blend significantly affects feel or care
Mixing material with texture descriptions (e.g., “soft cotton” should be split into material: cotton, feel: soft)
Inconsistent naming: using “polyester” on one product and “poly” on another
Leaving this field empty on products where material is a primary purchase driver
Copying marketing copy instead of factual material composition
IN CONTEXT
Example: How it appears on a product
Women’s Everyday Crew Neck T-Shirt
Material: 95% Organic cotton, 5% Elastane
Fit: Relaxed fit
Season: All-season
Care: Machine wash cold, tumble dry low
Material data displayed on the storefront via Custom Liquid
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