Cotton, a summertime staple, offers unparalleled breathability and comfort. This natural fiber has been a go-to choice for warm weather clothing for centuries, and for good reason. In this cotton fabric guide we discuss what it is, why you’ll want to wear it and the downsides of cotton fabric.
Let’s dive in.
Cotton is by far the most used fabric for clothing. It’s the quintessential four season fabric and what you’ll see on most garments that you own, from basic t-shirts and button ups to shorts and jeans. Its comfort, durability and versatility make it an excellent choice for bedding, textiles and clothing.
What is Cotton Fabric?
Cotton is a highly breathable fiber that absorbs a decent amount of moisture and has a fairly open weave which allows air to circulate through the fabric. It’s safe to say that cotton is the world’s favorite natural fiber.
Why Wear Cotton?
Cotton is almost always a smart choice when it comes to warm weather fabrics. Here’s why you’ll want to wear cotton for the hotter summer weather.
1. Cotton is Comfortable
A key trait of cotton is its softness. It’s certainly not itchy, stuff or clingy like many artificial fibers. There’s a reason why most basic tees are made with either 100% or a primary blend of cotton, that’s because of its comfortability.
2. Cotton is Hypoallergenic
Cotton is a natural fiber and so it’s highly unlikely to cause any type of allergic reaction.
3. Cotton is Versatile
Cotton as a fiber is quite versatile, it can be knitted or woven into many different fabrics like chambray, corduroy or lace. Cotton can also be found in not just athletic wear or formal wear, but also many different types of textiles from bedding to home and kitchen linens.
4. Cotton is Naturally Sustainable
Cotton is a durable fabric and will typically remain clean after a single wear and so you can usually wear it over and over again before it starts showing signs of wear or odor before washing it.
Furthermore, cotton, being one of the world’s oldest fibers has been around for thousands of years. It’s a renewable, biodegradable fiber that’s regulated by the USDA.
5. Cotton is Breathable
Cotton is known to be more breathable than synthetic fibers like polyester and so it’ll likely keep you cooler in the warmer weather. You can also get moisture-wicking cotton that is specifically designed to keep you cooler and drier while working out.
6. Cotton is Easy to Care For
Cotton is one of the easier fabrics to care for, you can easily hand wash it and let it line dry or lay flat or you can simply thrown your cotton garments into the washer to save on dry cleaning.
» Related: You might like this review of the Uniqlo Supima Cotton T-Shirt.
Downsides of Wearing Cotton
While pure cotton fabric is a popular choice for those looking for natural and comfortable clothing, there are some downsides of cotton too.
1. Cotton Wrinkles Easily
If you’ve worn a 100% cotton t-shirt or button up (which I’m certain you have), then you know how badly those shirts can wrinkle while stuffed in your closet or luggage. And sadly, wrinkled cotton does not have any redeeming qualities like linen for example.
It’s unfortunate that cotton wrinkles quite easily and so you’ll often find yourself ironing out those wrinkles, particularly with your professional clothing like dress shirts, trousers, etc.
2. Cotton Often Shrinks
Everyone has experienced having their clothing shrink after a wash and dry cycle. Oftentimes it’s your garments made with 100% cotton. Some manufacturers may pre-shrink their cotton products, but more often than not you can expect your cotton clothing to shrink.
What causes it is that the fibers become shortened when exposed to water, then when you place the garment into the dryer on high heat, it sets in the shrunken size. This is why you’ll often see care labels with instructions for “tumble dry low,” drying on low heat may prevent mass shrinking, but as soon as you wash your cotton garments, it will likely shrink a bit.
3. Cotton Retains Water
A trait of cotton fabric is that it absorbs and retains large amounts of water. And so, when you’re sweating, cotton will often hold the wetness which can lead to discomfort and odor after prolonged periods of wear. This is why it’s beneficial to exercise in clothing that are made with blends of cotton and other materials.
Wrapping Up
While cotton has its drawbacks, its versatility, breathability, and comfort make it an enduring favorite for any season, but especially summer. With proper care and styling, cotton pieces can be the foundation of a perfect warm-weather wardrobe.
Drop a Line!