Why I Love Cotton

It’s not just me but billions of people around the world who just LOVE to wear cotton clothes. Unlike the sixties and seventies when synthetics were considered fashionable, consumer tastes have taken a 180-degree turn and are all now for things natural and genuine. A recent survey shows that “Compared to clothing made from manmade fibers such as polyester and rayon, more than 8 in 10 consumers say cotton clothing is the most comfortable (87 percent), sustainable (85 percent), trustworthy (85 percent), soft (85 percent), authentic (83 percent), and reliable (81 percent).”

See? So, it’s not just me who is totally obsessed with cotton. From the above stats, and from the results of many more similar surveys it is clear that consumers now place cotton above every other fabric. If you carefully look at the reasons above, 3 out of the 5 reasons namely, “Trustworthy”, “Authentic”, “Reliable” show that users now have a marked preference for all things “natural” and “genuine”. Just like non-GMO organic food, natural indigenous ways of life, and traditional wisdom are gaining importance, cotton is gaining importance as the preferred fabric for use over man-made synthetic fabrics. It is something that we can ‘trust’ of not causing any harm to them or to the planet.

However, there are many practical reasons for making this choice other than the seemingly “ideological” reason.  Let me take you over them one by one.

Cotton lets your skin breathe

Cotton is by far the most breathable fabric. Breathability means it allows air to circulate freely. Hence heat and sweat do not get trapped on your skin. The absorbent cotton fabric soaks up the sweat, and breathable weave allows it to evaporate, leaving you dry, cool, and malodor-free. Cotton is great for hot, sultry summer months, but it is equally good during winters for the very same reasons. During summers wear the cotton on its own, during winters wear a jacket, blazer, pullover over it. Layering works great in places with temperature variations too like say in and out of the AC!  It is always a good idea to wear something made of cotton that remains in contact with your skin.

Cotton is hypoallergenic

This is a huge plus for cotton. Cotton is very unlikely to cause an allergic reaction. So, it is completely safe for babies and even the most sensitive of skins. Can you ever imagine a polyester bandage for wounds? The reason cotton is used for medical procedures is obvious. So, clothes made from cotton are safe too, apart from being very comfortable. And as I said in my earlier point, you should ideally wear some piece of cotton clothing that stays in contact with your skin be it during the day, or at night.

Soft & comfortable yet sturdy

Yes, that’s your quintessential cotton! It is the comfiest thing on earth. Can anything match the feeling when you snuggle into your comfy cotton tees and pajamas after a long day in stuffy workwear? It’s soft and comfortable, yet amazingly sturdy and durable in withstanding wash after wash and rough handling without losing shape or becoming fragile.

Universal Usage

There is hardly any situation where cotton cannot be put to use. Leave alone other usages, even if we consider clothing, cotton is good for all kinds of wear, formal, semi-casual, casual, intimate, you name it. There is a popular perception that cotton is not good for activewear or gym wear. This is so because of its water-absorbing qualities. However, this is far from true. Would you like to run in a vest that does not absorb your sweat and keeps it all sticking on your skin? In no time would you turn into a hot, fiery, sweaty, and smelly creature! Lighter weaves and modern treatments make cotton ideal for extreme sports and work-outs too. Wearing strong, yet breathable cotton clothing will ensure that the moisture is absorbed leaving you dry while modern treatments increase the moisture-wicking qualities of cotton ensuring that it does not become clingy.  So, cotton makes for great activewear too.

Holds color well

The nature of its fibers ensures that they hold color really well. It is very easy to dye and print on cotton with all kinds of inks and printing processes. Little wonder then that fashion designers, manufacturers, and users love cotton.

Does not pill or create static cling

Pure cotton does not pill or create annoying static cling like synthetic fabrics. It is so easy to handle and use cotton. The wholesomeness of cotton is addictive. It is not without reason that though the fabric has been around for ages, it never really lost its popularity.

100% Biodegradable

Being a natural fabric, it is 100% biodegradable that means it decomposes completely without leaving any trace and hence is non-polluting. Cotton is biodegraded in both aerobic (with oxygen say in soil, water, etc.) and non-aerobic conditions (in air-tight landfills). Hence, unlike synthetic fibers, there is no fear of micro-particles of cotton ever polluting our soil or oceans, or posing a threat to our marine life. As awareness about the precarious condition of our environment is increasing, synthetic man-made fabrics are being red-flagged more and more.

Sustainable

Cotton is indeed the go-to fabric if you care for sustainability. Modern agricultural techniques, as well as new production processes in factories, have drastically reduced the amount of water and harmful chemicals/pesticides necessary to produce cotton fabrics and clothes. In order to become a certified 100% organic cotton grower, farmers have to adhere to strict cultivation and harvesting practices. Similarly, modern production techniques in factories have also made the process of producing cotton goods sustainable. Proper maintenance of factory equipment, reuse of water, and reducing wastage of water, proper management of effluents, reducing the use of chemicals, constant monitoring, and opting for modern production techniques have also made the process of producing cotton goods sustainable.

I will conclude here by saying that cotton has many advantages over other fabrics. If you are a clothing brand or a business looking to explore or diversify your cotton products, get in touch with Aryan Apparels, experts in knitted and woven cotton clothes and accessories!