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A mathematical model is developed to study the coupled heat and moisture transfer through a fabric system that consists of a single layer of fabric and an air gap. Properties of air and moisture are sensitive to temperature and hence are assumed to be functions of local temperature. Therefore the model is applicable to a broad range of boundary conditions. A numerical scheme is proposed to solve the distributions of temperature and moisture concentration throughout the layers, from which the thermal and evaporative resistances of the fabric system can be evaluated. Experiments are conducted for two particular fabrics using a sweating guarded hotplate, and the data show good agreement with the model predictions. Using this model, the effects of parameters in environmental conditions, air gap and material properties on the thermal and evaporative resistances are studied. This work provides fundamental basis for the optimization of garment fit and material properties to achieve good performance for the clothing system.