The Fabric Of Feeling Good: What Makes Cotton Underwear Truly Sustaina

When you think of fabrics made of cotton, a few things come to mind: softness, laidback comfortability, and a breathability that makes it a year round essential. Moreover, cotton pieces – like a classic white tee, for one – are both timeless and relaxed.

Cotton also happens to make for some of the coziest, most effortless underwear in your collection for a few reasons…

 

Why Your Underwear Fabric Is Worth Thinking About

Your underwear is often your first decision of the day – and more than any other piece, they have a unique (and very important) job. Here’s exactly why your underwear’s fabric matters much more than you might think.

The Closest-To-Skin Argument

Because your underwear lies directly on your skin, it’s job is to protect the most intimate parts of your body, making you feel comfortable through long days and mischievous nights. In other words: undies that are airy are a total win for your health and happiness.

Though aside from functionality, underwear is also a beautiful little secret made to be just as pretty as its wearer, whether they choose to share that secret or not. Cotton underwear is a minimalist’s daydream, yet still has that cool girl vibe that never goes out of style.

Why Intimates Are A Good Place To Start When Shopping More Consciously

Being that underwear offers a barrier that protects you, there are serious benefits to opting for more sustainable fabrics – a few being top-tier breathability and wardrobe staples free from toxic chemicals. But is cotton eco-friendly, is cotton sustainable (and what is sustainable cotton, anyway)?

What Is Sustainable Cotton?

In short, sustainably sourced cotton is cotton that is grown and processed in ways that respect the environment and the people using it to make clothing, linens, and more. These sustainable practices have a range of benefits, though a few include water conservation, farmers receiving fair pay, healthier soil, and far less chemicals found in finished fabrics.

Conventional Cotton vs. Sustainable Cotton: What's The Difference?

Conventional cotton is the standard for cotton production, relying on artificial fertilizers, chemicals, synthetic dyes, and more to create articles of clothing. More often than not, conventional cotton is used to create fast fashion pieces, which typically don’t hold up as well (and in turn end up as waste).

On the other hand, responsibly sourced cotton – which is often organic – is healthier for the wearer and the environment, and is sold at a higher price because of it.

How Cotton Is Grown & Why It Matters

Cotton comes from planting seeds, typically in massive, organized fields, and harvesting the fluffy bundles once they blossom throughout the warmest months. Because cotton is found in countless everyday items, like wardrobe staples, bedding, denim, and more, the demand is high – its impact, good or bad, is high, too.

Organic Cotton: What It Really Means

Underneath the larger umbrella of sustainable cotton, organic cotton is much more strictly regulated (and in turn, eco-friendly). Using an organic claim also requires an official certification, like Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) or USDA Organic.

The Difference Between Organic & Sustainably Sourced

So, is organic cotton sustainable? In short, organic cotton is absolutely more sustainable than conventional cotton – and even fabrics simply listed as just  “sustainable” – because of those unique regulations. In other words: all organic cotton is sustainable, but not all sustainable cotton is organic.

How To Read A Label: Certifications Worth Knowing

Not all cotton pieces are made equal, and labels can help you determine if it’s up to your personal standard or not. Here are the must-know certifications.

What GOTS Certification Actually Means

When it comes to cotton certifications, GOTS – the Global Organic Textile Standard – is one to look for. It really is the gold standard when it comes to cotton, indicating that something is made of at least 95% organic, responsibly sourced, and eco-friendly fibers. GOTS certified organic cotton clothing is also the healthiest possible fabric for you to wear, especially when it comes to underwear.

Other Certifications To Look For

As for other certifications that make a big difference, OEKO-TEX Standard 100, Fairtrade Cotton, and USDA Organic are a few of note with different benefits.

If a label reads OEKO-TEX Standard 100, it means that the finished article of clothing has been tested and is free of over 1,000 toxic substances that could potentially be harmful.

Fairtrade Cotton indicates that the farmers harvesting the cotton were fairly paid and in safe working conditions (without using child labor).

And lastly, something that’s USDA Organic guarantees that the raw cotton fiber used for an article of clothing is free of pesticides and GMOs. That being said, it doesn’t regulate if a finished product has been processed or dyed.

What To Do When There's No Certification

If there are no certifications to be found on a label, it likely means that the cotton was not sourced with any sustainable practices.

Why Cotton Makes Sense For Everyday Underwear

Here’s exactly why cotton is often in underwear’s fabric blend (and why you need more cotton undies in your life).

Breathability & Skin Health

Although cotton doesn’t have much stretch, when present in a fabric blend, it adds unmatched breathability that’s especially beneficial to your most intimate areas. That airiness keeps you cool in hot weather, and ultimately, keeps you healthy and feeling fresh.

Cotton: A Healthy Fabric For Everyday Wear

Because of its inherent softness and breathability, cotton is a total must-have for everyday – from your underwear and relaxed denim to your barely-there bralette and favorite plain white tee. And because of its natural origin from the cotton plant, it’s actually considered gentle for those with sensitive skin, soothing any irritation with its smoothness.

Durability & Why It Matters For Sustainability

Creating cotton that’s sustainable goes even deeper. The more durable and well-made a cotton garment is made, the more long-lasting it will be in someone’s closet – which basically means a lower turnover rate (and ultimately less demand for cotton as a whole). It’s the antithesis to fast fashion, which results in endless piles of chemical-filled clothing in the trash, instead promoting wardrobes that last for years to come.

Hanky Panky’s Cotton: Our Approach

At Hanky Panky, cotton (and healthy fabrics to wear in general) are a top priority – and our approach to utilizing the fabric is something you can trust.

How We Source Our Cotton

When creating our organic cotton bralettes and undies, we source ultra-premium cotton that features extra-long-staple fibers touted for their next-level softness and strength. The cotton itself is mindfully grown on family farms participating in the CottonLEADS℠ sustainability initiative, which promotes responsible cotton production and traceability.

What Sustainable Cotton Looks Like In Practice

Our very own SUPIMA® Cotton is buttery soft, smooth, and oh so breathable – and because of our responsible practices, the fabric itself is actually much more resistant to pilling, tearing, and fraying. And while we co-sign filling your drawer with the cozy essentials in every on-trend color, our pieces will last you a very long time with our suggested care. Promise.

Stock Up On Cotton Essentials

Convinced you need a little more cotton lingerie (and organic cotton sustainability) in your life? Shop our best-selling cotton underwear collection here.