All you need to know about cotton fabrics
There are growing conversations around synthetic vs natural fabrics. Polyester probably gets spoken of the most. Some people claim it causes cancer, while others say it just feels wrong on their skin. Experts generally point people towards fabrics like cotton and linen instead. As natural fabrics, they are more compatible with our bodies.
Have you seen related information flying around and thought, " Can we get a real breakdown beyond the dos and don’ts? Are the claims even true?”
Short answer: yes, they are true. The recommendations can be unrealistic, though, especially in some parts of the world. So let’s talk about cotton..
How it’s made
Cotton starts as a plant. The bolls are harvested and broken down into three things: fibres, seeds, and debris. The debris is waste. The seeds have byproducts. The fibres are what we’re here for.
Those fibres get spun into yarns, think of them as tiny threads, which are then woven together to make fabric. The way yarns are woven, and the types combined, determine the fabric that comes out.
This is why you’ll see labels like 60% cotton, 30% polyester, 10% spandex. Cotton and spandex together give you stretch. Cotton and polyester together improve durability, colour retention, and cost efficiency. It’s also why a 100% cotton t-shirt and a 100% cotton tailored trouser can look and feel completely different. Same fibre, different construction.
By now, you can tell that other fibres aren’t entirely useless. They serve valid purposes.
Why cotton still wins for everyday wear
That said, there are undeniable benefits to natural fabrics, cotton especially. Cotton breathes. It’s highly absorbent, which matters if you sweat often. Instead of degrading as you wear it, it softens. It holds its shape wash after wash; it’s gentle on the skin, and unlike synthetic fabrics, it’s biodegradable (it breaks down naturally without needing additional action, such as burning). It’s better for your body and better for the planet.
And honestly? There’s something about the feel of cotton on skin, especially in a t-shirt, that just works. It doesn’t feel like fabric. It feels like an extension of you.
… But all cotton isn’t the same
The word “cotton” now covers an enormous range of fabric types. From tightly woven, long-lasting fabrics to thin, loosely constructed ones that start breaking down after a few washes. It’s the same label, but very different experiences.
You don’t always notice the difference in the store. You notice it after a few wears. The fabric thins out, it loses shape, and wearing it no longer feels the same. Gradually, it moves to the back of your wardrobe.
That cycle, buy, wear, replace has become completely normal. But it can be overwhelming and cost-ineffective. More than ever, it is proving more important to invest in good quality, long-lasting staples, over a few-wear pieces for our health, our minds, our pockets and our planet. The first step? Be more fabric-conscious when you shop.
If cotton is so great, we should all just wear cotton, right? Ideally. The world — and our wardrobes are more complicated than that. Soon, we’ll get into polyester, and things will start to make a lot more sense.
For now, read your labels. It’s worth it.