How to Choose Bamboo Clothing in Australia: What Actually Matters
If you've ever bought a bamboo top online and been disappointed when it arrived, you're in good company! Bamboo clothing can be genuinely lovely to wear, but "bamboo" on a product page tells you far less than you'd think. The good news is that a handful of simple checks will tell you almost everything you need to know before you buy.
Here's our short version. Before you add anything to your cart, check the fibre label, the fabric weight, the stretch content, the claims being made, the care instructions, the sizing measurements and the returns policy. We'll walk through each one below, and we'll be upfront about how we measure up too.
1. Read the fibre label, not just the word "bamboo"
This is the big one. Almost all bamboo clothing sold in Australia is made from bamboo viscose, which is also called bamboo rayon. The bamboo is broken down and regenerated into a soft, silky fibre. It is not the same thing as a fabric made by simply spinning the bamboo plant, and it behaves differently from cotton or linen.
There is a rarer alternative, bamboo lyocell, made in a different, closed-loop process, but it is much less common and tends to cost more. So look for a clear fibre breakdown on the product page. We list ours openly: our fabric is 93% bamboo viscose and 7% elastane. If a brand only says "bamboo" and never says what's in it, ask.
2. Check the fabric weight (GSM)
Weight is one of the best predictors of how bamboo will feel and last. Very light bamboo jersey can go see-through and look tired after a few washes, while a heavier fabric holds its shape and stays opaque. Many budget pieces sit in the 70 to 110gsm range, while ours is a custom-milled 260gsm. If you want the full explanation, we've written it up in our guide to bamboo fabric GSM. If a listing doesn't show GSM (which most don't) at all, that's worth noticing.
3. Look for a little elastane
Bamboo viscose on its own is soft and drapey, but it can stretch out over a day of wear. A small amount of elastane helps garments spring back into shape. Ours has 7%, which is why our pieces sit close without clinging and return to shape after wear. Check the percentage rather than assuming.
4. Judge it on how it feels and wears
Bamboo is loved for a reason! People choose it for its soft, smooth handle, its fluid drape and how comfortable it feels against the skin, especially in warm weather. Those are things you can check for yourself, and they matter more than any number on a swing tag.
So when you're comparing brands, look at how the fabric is described. Plain, specific descriptions (the fibre, the weight, the fit, how it feels) are easy to trust. For any bigger performance claim, such as sun protection, it's fair to ask how it's been tested, and remember that clothing never replaces sunscreen. A good brand will happily tell you what they know and what they don't.
5. Know what certifications do (and don't) cover
You'll sometimes see badges like OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100. This label means the finished product has been tested against a list of more than 1,000 substances that can be harmful, but it is focused on chemical safety rather than the full environmental footprint or working conditions behind a garment. Certifications can be a helpful signal, but ask what a badge actually covers, and remember that a badge is not a substitute for a brand being transparent.
6. Ask where it's made
Good brands tell you. Our fabric is custom-milled in China, our garments are made by a small family business we've worked with for more than ten years, and everything is designed, pattern-made and sampled here in Australia. Whatever brand you're looking at, you should be able to find this out.
7. Check the sizing measurements
Fit varies from style to style, so look for actual garment measurements rather than just XS to XXL. We include a size guide with measurements for each style, and bamboo's natural stretch means pieces sit close without clinging. If you're between sizes, measure a favourite garment at home and compare.
8. Be honest about care
Bamboo is lovely, but it isn't recommended to be a throw-it-in-the-dryer fabric (although many of our customers do!!). Ours does best with a cold gentle machine wash and mild detergent, then line drying in the shade. Heavier pieces are better folded than hung.
9. Understand returns and your rights
When you buy online, you can't try things on, so check the returns policy before you buy. Ours lets you return full-priced items within 14 days of receipt as long as they're unworn, unwashed and in original condition with labels attached. Sale items are final sale, and we don't offer exchanges as a return method because pieces sell quickly.
It also helps to know that store policies are separate from your rights under Australian Consumer Law. If an item is faulty, unsafe or very different from its description, you are entitled to a repair, replacement or refund no matter what the store's change-of-mind policy says.
What should bamboo clothing cost?
Quality bamboo with a decent weight and a bit of elastane rarely sits at the very bottom of the price range. Most of our pieces fall between $50 and $150, and free standard shipping applies on Australian orders over $150. Cheaper options exist, but they are often the lightweight fabrics that don't last.
Frequently asked questions
What should I look for when buying bamboo clothing online in Australia?
Check the fibre label (is it bamboo viscose, and what else is in it?), the fabric weight in GSM, the elastane percentage, how the brand supports its claims, the care instructions, the garment measurements and the returns policy.
Is bamboo clothing really bamboo?
Most bamboo clothing is bamboo viscose, also called rayon, which is made from bamboo that has been broken down and regenerated into a fibre. It's different from a fabric spun directly from the plant, and brands should say what's in the fabric on the product page.
Is bamboo clothing good quality?
It can be, but quality depends on the fabric weight, the fibre and how it's made up. Very light bamboo can be sheer, prone to pilling and wear out quickly, while a heavier fabric (ours is 260gsm) is more opaque and durable.
How do I wash bamboo clothing?
Cold gentle machine wash with mild detergent, line dry in the shade and avoid tumble drying. Heavier pieces are best folded rather than hung.
Does bamboo clothing pill?
Some pilling can occur where bags and jewellery etc rub the fabric excessively. This is not a fabric fault. If this happens due to excessive rubbing, pilling can be removed with a pilling comb or safety razor.
Can I return bamboo clothing bought online?
That depends on the store. Under Australian Consumer Law you can get a repair, replacement or refund for faulty or misdescribed items, while change-of-mind returns are up to the retailer's policy. Check the policy before you buy.
Ready to feel the difference?
If you'd like to see how our checklist stacks up in real life, browse our bamboo collection, from everyday tees to travel-ready dresses, and we're always happy to answer questions about fit or fabric.
This article provides general information about choosing bamboo clothing. Fit, feel and care results can vary by style and fabric. Your rights under Australian Consumer Law apply regardless of any store policy.