Fibre Briefing: Cotton

Cotton’s heritage as a textile dates from at least 5,000 BC, with evidence of human use found as far afield as Mexico, Pakistan and Peru. Still widely traded as a global commodity, cotton however no longer dominates the market for use in apparel.

Cotton is a natural fibre that when woven or knitted produces a soft, strong fabric that is breathable, absorbent and washable. Old cotton can also be recycled to make new yarn and garments.

Cotton comes from the fluffy fibres – known as ‘bolls’ – th…