Material (Fashion & Apparel)
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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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” |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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| Material data displayed on the storefront via Custom Liquid |
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