No one can deny that cotton is the king of textile fibers produced today. We may not understand much about fabrics and textiles, but from childhood we learn one indisputable fact: cotton clothing is the best. Cotton has many benefits, such as being hypoallergenic and breathable, highly durable, and extremely resistant. What more could you ask for from a fabric? Did you know there are several
types of cotton ? Do you know them?
Types of cotton according to the origin of the plant
There are approximately
40 known cotton species worldwide, but after various studies and analyses, it was concluded that
only four of them are suitable for commercialization . Some are of lower quality than others, but all are suitable for creating high-quality garments. These are:
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Gossypium arboreum. Native to India and Pakistan, it is among the lowest-quality cotton types. Its short, weak fibers make it the least used in the textile industry. Its low quality does not make it a profitable product.
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Gossypium Herbaceum. Native to Africa, the same applies to this cotton: it has short, weak fibers, which is why it ranks second in the ranking of cotton types in terms of quality.
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Gossypium hirsutum. Native to Central America, the Caribbean, Mexico, and Florida, this is the most well-known and widely used type of cotton worldwide, as it is a very versatile, extra-long fiber that produces a soft, breathable, and durable fabric.
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Gossypium barbadense. Native to South America and Africa. Like Hirsutum, Gossypium barbadense is also an extra-long-staple cotton very useful for high-quality fabrics and garments. This is the cotton for the highest quality garments. Although it originates in the Americas, it is also grown in Turkey and Egypt. Yes, it is from this plant that the famous and well-known Egyptian cotton comes.
You may be wondering where
organic cotton and ecological cotton fit into the list. Well, they fit into all the species we've listed, since it can come from any of them. Being organic and ecological doesn't depend on the quality of the plant, but rather on the way it's grown, cared for, and harvested.
Types of cotton according to fiber length
There are different possible lengths for cotton fibers. Cotton is given a common name based on this. These are:
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Indian cotton . This is a short-staple cotton of the lowest quality. Although it's used in some garments, it's not responsible for garments as soft, durable, and long-lasting as those made with other types of cotton.
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American cotton . This is a medium-staple cotton and is also known as "upland cotton." It doesn't reach the quality of Egyptian cotton, but it is of very good quality and is the most commonly used cotton for all types of clothing. It is also grown in Turkey, although the name is attributed to America.
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Egyptian cotton . This is a type of extra-long staple cotton that produces garments of excellent quality. It is the most valued and sought-after cotton on the market. It is used in luxury garments, although it is also available in towels and sheets. Depending on the treatment, it can also be used to create combed cotton .
The most common classification of cotton fabric types
Despite the various classifications of cotton based on some of its characteristics, the easiest way to understand the types of cotton is by the fabrics they are made from. These are the most well-known ones currently available:
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Pure cotton. 100% cotton garments may be slightly more expensive than non-100% cotton garments, but their softness, durability, and comfort are unmatched. This fabric is made by creating the thread directly from the harvested cotton plant, with no other additives.
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Viyela . Viyela garments were made with the coldest seasons in mind. They're a winter essential, as they guarantee top-quality warmth and glamorous designs thanks to their soft texture.
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Twill . This type of fabric is the most commonly used for pants and jackets. It's easy to clean and accepts all kinds of additions, such as dyes and rhinestones, among others.
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Voile fabric. Voile is made from linen or polyester and offers exceptional softness to garments. It's used for making delicate shirts and blouses. It's a highly sought-after fabric for children's and babies' clothing due to its softness against the skin.
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Satin . In this case, the cotton is combined with viscose, which allows for the use of bright colors to paint it, especially due to the shiny threads it's made of. It's easy to iron, not to mention that in most cases, it won't even be necessary.
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Poplin . This is one of the most popular fabrics, as it's used to make the most sought-after garments. Poplin is a lightweight, shiny, and very soft fabric. It's often worn in summer, as it's a cool option in the intense heat.
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Percale . This is a fabric made from 100% percale cotton fiber, although it can sometimes be combined with polyester. It's the most commonly used fabric for bed sheets thanks to its easy washing, durability, and, above all, its softness against the skin.
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Oxford . This fabric was created in 1800 and was primarily worn by men. However, it soon became popular among women, thanks to its soft texture in garments like shirts. Its construction resembles a checkerboard pattern.
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Drill . This type of fabric is used for very glamorous garments, although it has the disadvantage of being sensitive to sunlight. Therefore, handling and washing must be extremely delicate.
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Chambray . It's a pure cotton fabric with a crinkled style that's often used in casual outfits, especially those designed with stripes, plaids, or prints.
After learning a little more about the fascinating world of cotton, remember that at Abanderado we always offer underwear made with the highest quality cotton. This way, you'll always have everything you need for your underwear: comfort, softness, durability, and a great price.
