For the last several decades, we’ve been told by the powers-that-be that 100% cotton is 100% superior to any mixed-material clothing. And some of us 100% bought into that propaganda. “It’s healthier, it’s more breathable, it lasts longer - the all around better option,” or something along those lines. But what if we told you that’s a myth? Maybe you’ve noticed that your 100% cotton tees are a little thicker and trap more heat in the summer, that their necks stretch more than your other tees, and shrink more easily in the wash. Maybe you’ve noticed the colors fade over time and they start feeling a bit rough and crispy. If that’s the case, then you’re probably not shocked that 100% cotton isn’t necessarily the best choice, despite what we were led to believe.

While there’s not one clear source of these myths, there was a long period of time where we were inundated with campaigns from the cotton industry telling us cotton was the only good choice when it comes to fabrics. One of the most memorable examples of this is “The Touch, The Feel of Cotton” a.k.a. “The Fabric of Our Lives” campaign that began in the 80s and ran into the early 2000s. By utilizing famous spokespersons like Aaron Nevill, Zooey Deschanel, and Emmy Rossum and allowing each person to change the words slightly to fit their lives, the cotton industry pulled at our heartstrings. This campaign, and others like it, brainwashed us into thinking that cotton was the all-around healthier option by suggesting that cotton had no chemicals or pesticides associated with it, produced no greenhouse gasses in its production, and that cotton is more sustainable. This, along with the pathos these ads provoked, led every generation to believe that the 100% tee was the only right choice.

Cotton is definitely not the only product to receive this treatment. Think about milk, rice, eggs, and a bunch of other agricultural products. The “Got Milk” campaign has worked wonders for the milk industry. Even if you’re too young to have seen one of the iconic billboards, you have probably heard the slogan. We were told we needed milk to grow tall and make our bones strong. And while yes, the calcium in milk is good for us and can help with bone density, milk is certainly not the only source. Same thing with brown rice. For years, we were told that it was the better, healthier option. Now, it turns out, it’s actually worse for digestion and tears up the gut way more than white rice. Eggs are another example, but one that we’ve gone back-and-forth on a little bit more. Eggs were considered a healthy addition to breakfast starting in the 17th century. However, the staple item briefly received a bad rep in the 60s and 70s, when people started believing that they were too high in cholesterol to be healthy. We now know that eggs are once again healthy, and provide the good cholesterol, but for a while there, we were convinced we needed to avoid them. The same way some might think we need to avoid anything but 100% cotton apparel.

But why might this not be true? Cotton is a natural fiber, which is what I think draws a lot of people in. However, because of this, when exposed to heat, water, or agitation it can cause the fabric to shrink. That’s why most 100% cotton care instructions say to avoid high heat washes and dries. Similarly, cotton is more prone to wrinkles, uneven wearing as the natural fibers stretch and shrink at different rates, and stains are harder to remove than its polyester-blend counterparts. Cotton is also just not as soft as its poly-blend counter parts, especially after washing. Finally, because cotton is naturally occurring, the quality of the cotton is up to a variety of factors including soil, rainfall and temperature of the year and farming methods used. Especially if the farmers used pesticides and chemicals on their crop, which remain in the fabric and could lead to ill effects on your skin.

Compared to all these downfalls, adding polyester or other synthetic blends to apparel helps to mitigate a lot of these issues. Take our 50/50 blend cotton/poly tees for example. They are pre-washed and shrunk, so there’s little to no shrinkage in the wash. They’re also wrinkle-resistant and wear evenly over time, meaning they are lower maintenance. You aren’t going to find a wonky neck-hole or suddenly notice the bottom of the tee is way wider than it was before like you might with a 100% cotton tee. Finally, we know the quality of the material we’re using, so we know we are providing high quality tees for our customers.

All of this isn’t to say that 100% cotton doesn’t have its benefits. When grown and handled properly (like ours are), cotton tees can be better for sensitive skin and are hypoallergenic. They are better insulated for winter wear, and are more sweat absorbent for the summer. And, when given the proper care, 100% cotton apparel can last just as long as a polyester-blend item. However, while cotton tees can have its benefits, they probably aren’t what you’ve always believed they were. 

Have you been duped by big cotton’s PR team? Maybe you knew all this already. Or maybe this is brand new information to you. Whatever the case, and whichever material you prefer, hopefully now you’re better equipped to order the best tees, hoodies, and other apparel for you and your lifestyle!