Cotton — key features, advantages and disadvantages of the popular fabric

It can be light and airy or warm and thick. It is used to sew T-shirts as well as sweatshirts or tracksuits. Meet cotton, the indisputable queen among clothing materials. What are its properties, advantages and disadvantages? Check it out.

What is cotton? Fabric with a long history

Cotton is one of the most popular clothing materials that has reigned the textile industry for years. It is a natural fabric that is made from fibres sourced from a namesake plant. Thanks to its properties, it is widely used, mainly in clothing production. It is exactly cotton that is used for sewing beloved T-shirts, but also sweatshirts, tracksuit bottoms, shirts or jeans.

The history of cotton dates back to ancient times. It is estimated that Egyptians were familiar with it even 12,000 years BC. The first mention of it in written sources dates back more than 3,000 years. Cotton was then grown in places with warm climates, mainly in Egypt, India or Mexico. Today cotton fabrics are produced in Asian, African and South American countries as well as in Europe, and its popularity in the clothing industry continues to grow.

Is cotton a good material? Advantages of cotton

What is all the fuss about cotton? This is a fabric with exceptional properties that make cotton clothes provide 100% wearing while being durable and timeless. Cotton has endless uses and performs well in almost any weather conditions. Wondering what are the advantages of cotton? These include, primarily:

Clothes made of cotton not only breathe, giving us ultimate wearing comfort, but also keep their shape perfectly and remain stretch-resistant. In addition, they are less prone to wrinkling than linen garments, and ironing them is really easy.

What are the disadvantages of cotton? Downsides you should know about

It is the properties of cotton that make clothing manufacturers choose it so often. But like any clothing material, it has its drawbacks. What are they, exactly? Although it absorbs sweat, it does not wick it away, and when wet, the fabric dries out slowly. For this reason, cotton is not always the best choice. It is perfect for everyday use, but does not work well during an intense workout.

In addition, cotton production very often involves the use of large amounts of water and pesticides, thus adversely affecting the environment. Fortunately, its eco-friendly counterpart, organic cotton, is growing in popularity.

What is organic cotton? A few words on its properties

What is organic cotton? It's a cotton fabric that is made from organically grown plants with no addition of toxic fertilisers. The consumption of water required for watering is also lower. Such farms use natural and biodegradable plant protection products and some processes, such as weeding and cotton processing, are handled manually.

Organic cotton is not only sustainably sourced, but also safer and more durable than regular cotton. Due to a different way of processing the fibre, the organic material is very durable. In addition, organic cotton is breathable, absorbs moisture well and fosters thermoregulation. If you want to choose a timeless piece that will last for years to come and be really comfortable, consider one made of organic cotton.

What types of cotton are there? From jersey to cotton sateen

Organic cotton is one of many types of cotton fabrics. Jersey cotton is one of the most popular types in the clothing industry. What is it? It's nothing more than a cotton knit: a fabric with an admixture of elastane, which fits the body perfectly while allowing the skin to breathe. It is exceptionally soft to the touch. Jersey cotton also has properties that foster thermoregulation, so clothes made from it work well in all seasons.

An absolute phenomenon among cotton fabrics is denim, or the record-breakingly popular jean fabric. It's a thicker cotton fabric used to make such items as iconic trousers, jackets or dresses. When it comes to other cotton types, we can distinguish, to name only a few, the Egyptian cotton, cotton sateen, satin, flannel, poplin or drill cotton. Each type of cotton has its own use and differs in thickness or grip. While cotton sateen is smooth and provides a pleasant cooling sensation, flannel is distinguished by its texture with fine fuzzy finish. It is most often used to sew shirts that are perfect for colder days.

Is cotton always a good choice?

The numerous advantages of cotton make it enormously popular among both clothing manufacturers and wearers. And it comes as no surprise! It is hard to find clothes that surpass cotton pieces when it comes to breathability, comfort, and versatility. Wondering if cotton is always a good choice? Not necessarily. Cotton is sensational for everyday use in all weather conditions, but does not work that great during intense workouts. For example: A women's cotton T-shirt is the perfect base of an everyday outfit, but at the gym, you can quickly feel a little uncomfortable when sweat stains appear on it. If you train intensively, workout shirts made of quick-drying functional fabric that wicks moisture away may be a better choice. The cotton ones, on the other hand, will be indispensable for everyday use.

Cotton clothes have plenty of advantages that appeal to anyone who likes to mix style with comfort. Choose cotton T-shirts, tracksuits, sweatshirts or leggings made of cotton, including those with a small admixture of synthetic fibres. It’s good to know that they increase the durability of the material, improve the way it fits the figure and its resistance to stretching.