FIBRE 101: COTTON
1 Aug 2023
FIBRE 101: BEHIND THE CONSCIOUS DECISION
We’re a little in love with cotton here at JAG. This natural fibre is grown in over 70 countries globally, and like us it thrives in long, hot summers. When the cotton plant is mature, the cloud-like ‘bolls’ are picked, separated from seed & plant debris, and then spun into yarn. Though it’s the world’s most popular natural fibre, cotton farmers face compounding climate-related challenges. Our preference is to source the most responsibly grown cotton. Some of the types of cotton used in our timeless designs include organic cotton, Better Cotton Initiative, Good Earth Cotton, GOTS, among others. Such standards ensure the cotton is grown using better farming practices, with more controlled irrigation and without the use of harmful herbicides. We’re also tracing deeper into our supply chain with the help of Retraced to ensure we have higher visibility of sourcing responsibly, production practices and supplier governance.
RESPONSIBLE MATERIALS 101: GOTS COTTON
We’re proud to include GOTS cotton in our materials mix, which stipulates supply chain requirements for both ecological and labour conditions in our textile and apparel manufacturing. From the harvesting of raw materials, environmentally and socially responsible manufacturing to labelling, GOTS certified textiles provide a credible assurance to our customer.
THE COTTON CARE GUIDE: HOW TO MAKE YOUR COTTON LAST FOR YEARS
Cotton is an easy fibre to care for. Follow these simple instructions to get the best life out of your pieces, and remember to always check the care label details first:
Cotton can be hand or machine washed in either cold, warm, or hot water depending on the level of staining or wear. It should be washed with similar colours to prevent colour transfer. Ideally, use cold water to prevent shrinkage, reduce the risk of dyes fading and save on energy usage.
For small stains, try spot cleaning with a gentle stain remover and a clean rag first. If that’s not enough, try a hand wash with gentle detergent.
Opt for air drying whenever possible in the shade.
Iron using a hot setting with steam, and iron whilst the garment is still damp.
Pay attention to cotton blends – not all cotton care requirements are suitable for these fabrics.