Why Shop For
Organic Cotton Clothing?

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Have you seen organic cotton clothing in any of the stores where you shop?

Many of the popular stores either don't carry it or only carry a few items like organic t-shirts. When you come across organic clothes the cost may be enough to stop you from making a purchase. And let's face it many of us still think of boring styles and colors. But all that is changing as fashion designers create beautifully styled organic cotton fashions.

Making The Case For Organic Cotton

Today, I am wearing a cotton t-shirt and denim jeans. They're comfortable, feel good clothes. But consider this, one pound of toxic chemicals was used to grow and process the clothes I am wearing. And that's just for one t-shirt and a pair of jeans.

DID YOU KNOW:

The Organic Exchange reports that cotton provides at least half of the world's need for fabric so it is grown by millions of farmers worldwide. Many people are dependent on cotton crops from the farmer, to the workers, the manufacturers, the retailers and to us.

According to the Organic Trade Association, in the U.S., conventionally grown cotton accounts for up to 25% of all pesticides used to grow crops. (pesticides include herbicides, fungicides and growth regulators.) We all know the dangers of pesticides, so it is not surprising that many cotton farmers and workers report symptoms of poisoning from chemicals used in cotton production.

Pesticides affect the soil, water and air we all share, even if we never set foot near a cotton field.

Part of the problem with conventionally grown cotton is the increased need for more cotton. Farmers in an effort to meet demand need to increase production. Chemicals are used to increase yield but a developing immunity to pesticides means more chemicals used which further depletes the soil and hurts us and the environment.

Growing Organic Cotton

According to the Organic Trade Association the U.S. is taking a lead. In particular my home state of Texas, and Turkey are two leading producers of organic cotton.


Despite this being a growing market there still aren't nearly enough organic farmers to meet our needs for cotton. For the conventional grower, it can initially be more costly and time consuming transitioning conventional cotton to organic.

There are costs involved to be certified and it takes at least 3 years for organic certification. The use of natural insect control and fertilizers can initially be more expensive. But as cotton farmers become more productive and their soil becomes richer and more pest and disease resistant, it becomes easier and costs come down.

For designers and manufacturers needing a reliable supply this becomes a problem that some of them are trying to solve by developing their own supply chain and working with farmers to grow cotton to meet their needs and provide growers an incentive of having a ready made market for their organic cotton.

This is where we can help by creating a greater need for organically grown cotton by adding organic cotton clothing to our wardrobes.

Choosing Organic Cotton Clothing

When shopping for organic cotton items look for those that have not been processed with chemicals such as formaldehyde, chlorine bleach and heavy metal dyes.

Some companies provide informations on their websites or on their labels about the processing chemicals or dyes being used. Look for low impact dyes and minimal processing.

Where To Shop

Forget any ideas of no style organic cotton clothing when you look at this site. Beautifully styled clothing in a variety of eco friendly materials are found at Stewart and Brown. Their overstock section has some nice sale items. (Clothes on this page are from here).
Stewart and Brown.

Soft comfortable styles great for casual wear, lounging or exercise plus lingerie and kids items. Look here for your next favorite comfy shirt.
Blue Canoe.

Organic cotton clothing from many different eco fashion designers such as Edun, Stewart and Brown, Of the Earth among others. Everything from lingerie to jeans.
The Green Loop.

Great care is taken to provide clothing in organic fabrics using sustainable and ethical standards. Low impact dyes or clay dyes provide beautifully colored clothes for all of your needs. You will not find a more informative and helpful site for those of us who want to know more about the new options available today.
Lotus Organics.

Check out Levi's eco line of jeans. Available in stores or online. Could be promising news for organic cotton. The Better World Shopping Guide gives Levi Strauss a B+ which basically means they are working on being more earth and people friendly.
Levi Store.