Organic Cotton Benefits & Brands to Shop
GOOD FOR THE FARMER, THE ENVIRONMENT, AND YOU
By Malia Noll
Image: Nani Chavez via Unsplash
Organic cotton initially felt like another well-thought-out marketing ploy to get consumers to overpay for fashion (and for the many greenwashing companies, it is). But as the trend continued to gain traction, and more evidence emerged, it became clear that organic cotton is no scam—it’s a step in the right direction. If you still find yourself wondering whether purchasing organic cotton makes any sense, especially since we don’t eat our clothes and we wash them before the first wear, we’re here to shed some light on the subject and hopefully change the way you view cotton production. So, why is organic cotton essential? Let’s find out.
FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
Conventionally grown cotton is one of agriculture’s most polluting crops. Almost 2.2 pounds of hazardous pesticides are required to grow 2 ½ acres of this cotton. (1) Organic farming makes a difference in the health of the land on which crops are grown and saves surrounding areas from chemical pollution from water runoff.
And don’t forget how much water organic farming conserves! Generally, it relies on 80% rainfall to grow crops while conventional cotton farming relies heavily on irrigation and surrounding water sources. (2) It’s estimated that the production of one organic cotton t-shirt uses 122 less gallons of water than a shirt made from non-organic cotton—which is roughly equivalent to running your shower for an hour! (2)
FOR THE FARMER
Chemical runoff from conventional cotton farms pollute the air and water supply for local residents. Farmers are also exposed to harsh herbicides and pesticides that are sprayed on crops. Conventional cotton has been labeled one of the world’s “dirtiest crops” because it is sprayed with toxic pesticides that have been labeled probable carcinogens. The World Health Organization estimates that approximately 10,000 farmers die in the United States each year from cancers related to these chemicals.
FOR YOU
Conscious consumerism is always top of mind for us here at SISTAIN. When we are able to educate ourselves and others about the harmful effects of non-organic cotton farming, we are able to use our purchasing power to demand change for the industry. Together, we can hold brands accountable and help shape the future of the fashion industry.
Ready to take the plunge? Keep reading for five of our favorite organic cotton clothing brands.
BEAUMONT ORGANIC
Natural, breathable pieces that flow with you.
Since 2008, Beaumont Organic has been dedicated to ensuring consumers have a trustworthy outlet to buy clothing, accessories and home goods. We’re swooning over the airy designs that move effortlessly with you as you go about your day. The best part is that each piece can easily be dressed up or down depending on which accessories you choose to add to your look.
Sustainable Practices:
Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certified cotton.
Uses as much leftover fabric as possible to reduce the amount going to landfills.
Factories have good working conditions and pay fair wages to all workers.
Price Range: $$
Our Picks:
EILEEN FISHER
Proving high quality and sustainable are not mutually exclusive.
A Nordstrom staple, Eileen Fisher is one of those brands you’ve likely seen out and about, but may not have known much about its backstory. Well, we’re here to tell you to keep buying and eying this classic designer—the clothes are high quality, the silhouettes are timeless and the brand is committed to maintaining its ethical and social responsibility.
Sustainable Practices:
Committed to upholding the circular economy.
All cotton is organic, fair trade and ethically made.
Actively traces all clothing from a particular farm to the factory where it is assembled to ensure that all cotton used is organic and that farming and factory conditions comply with their strict standards.
Price Range: $$$
Our Picks:
Stretch Crew Neck Dress ($168)
Gauze Straight Pant ($168)
LANIUS
Feminine silhouettes, ethical standards.
Lanius defines its business model as “slow fashion,” which means that clothes are designed twice per year in limited quantities. This ensures that each collection released is unique and on-trend without engaging in mass production, which leads to unnecessary waste.
Sustainable Practices:
Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certified cotton.
Committed to becoming CO2-neutral, which means that the net carbon output of the company is zero, by engaging in activities that offset the amount of carbon that the company produces. Lanius does this by participating in various climate protection projects such as the Ecomapuá project in Brazil.
Price Range: $$
Our Picks:
Colorblock Pullover ($96.45)
Jersey Pants ($128.63)
ORGANIC BASICS
Who said a uniform was a bad idea, anyway?
Organic Basics makes, you guessed it, every basic clothing item you’ll ever need for your wardrobe—but organically and with the Earth’s health in mind. We’re stocking up on these versatile and durable pieces that are crafted to last.
Sustainable Practices:
Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certified cotton.
Publishes an Impact Report on their website each year to increase transparency about their carbon footprint, current practices and plans for increasing sustainability in the future.
Price Range: $$
Our Picks:
MATE THE LABEL
Cool-girl relaxed neutrals for your closet.
Every piece in MATE’s collection gives off that “I woke up like this” look that only the most stylish people seem to be able to pull off. The color palette is to die for and it’ll match just about everything you already own. You’ll be feeling lucky to live in a world where you don’t have to sacrifice sustainability for style!
Sustainable Practices:
Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certified cotton.
Manufactures locally to reduce carbon footprint.
Uses low impact non-toxic dyes only.
Uses eco-friendly materials.
Limits the amount of water and wastewater used in production.
Price Range: $$
Our Picks:
Dana Midi Dress ($128)
Carson Sweater ($112)
(1) Thomas, Dana (2019). Fashionopolis: The Price of Fast Fashion and the Future of Clothes.
(2) AboutOrganicCotton.org: What is Organic Cotton.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Malia Noll is a former public accountant turned self-employed copywriter who works with small businesses to build genuine connections to customers through strategic writing. Malia is based in Columbus, Ohio and specializes in promotional writing, email marketing and editing.
