Fabric quality is a function of the number of manufacturing defects in the fabric, its serviceability, its ability to protect the wearer from hot or cold weather, its three dimensional shape forming and shape retention properties, and its fabric hand. Fabric hand refers to the feel of the surface and comfort in wearing. Fabric hand has traditionally been determined subjectively, according to the judgement of the individual touching the fabric. Researchers have attempted to develop an objective means of evaluating fabric hand. The most successful of these efforts has been the work of Professor S. Kawabata, who developed a system of measuring tensile, shearing, bending, compression, surface friction, surface roughness, and thickness at very low stress levels. This system is known as the KES system for measuring fabric hand. Other objective systems for measuring fabric hand include the Subramaniam, Finger Ring, and Fabric Assurance by Simple Testing (FAST) system. Parameters of each of these systems are also discussed.