From field to fabric: tracing our organic cotton

Cotton is the most common fabric in the world and one of the most environmentally intensive to produce. Conventional cotton uses 16% of the world's insecticides and 7% of its pesticides. It takes 2,700 liters of water to produce a single conventional cotton t-shirt.

Organic cotton changes the equation. Grown without synthetic pesticides or fertilizers, it uses 88% less water and 62% less energy than conventional cotton. The soil stays healthier, the farmers stay healthier, and the resulting fiber is often softer because it hasn't been chemically treated.

Our organic cotton comes from certified farms in India and Turkey. We buy through a cooperative model that guarantees farmers a fair price regardless of market fluctuations. This stability allows them to invest in sustainable practices rather than maximizing short-term yield.

The cotton is spun into yarn at mills in Portugal, where we work with the same family-owned operation we've used since our founding. They run smaller batches than industrial spinners, which gives us more control over yarn weight and twist — details that affect how the finished fabric drapes and ages.

We're transparent about costs. Organic cotton costs us roughly 30% more than conventional. That cost shows up in our pricing, and we think it's worth it. The alternative — cheaper cotton, worse conditions, greater environmental impact — isn't actually cheaper. Someone pays for it.