How Does 100% Cotton Stack Up Against Other Fabrics?

Choosing the right clothes to add to your closet isn't always just about choosing the cuts and patterns that fit your personal style. One other factor you should consider is the type of fabric your clothes are made of.

When looking to buy a cotton hooded sweatshirt, for example, things like comfort, durability, and moisture control have to be considered. After all, you want to wear something that's hypoallergenic, and can handle moisture well so that you don't sweat through your clothes. But how does cotton really fare against other fabrics like silk, linen and wool?

To start off, cotton is considered the most widely produced natural fiber, one that has been used by humans for thousands of years. In fact, people that lived between the Rio Santiago and Rio Balsas in Mexico were able to grow, domesticate, spin, weave, dye, and sew cotton as early as around 3400 and 2300 BC.

Cotton has long been a part of human fashion and history, and to this day, it remains an important fabric used in many of our clothing. To help give you an idea why you should be rockin' that cotton hooded sweatshirt rather than a silk shirt, however, check out just how well cotton comes favored amidst clothes with other fabric types.

Is Cotton Better Than Silk?

In some aspects, cotton is definitely better than silk. Although silk also has several things going for it compared to cotton. In the end, it really depends more on how, when, and where you plan to wear and use your clothes that will help you determine whether to go 100% cotton or silk.

Cotton Is Durable

Both silk and cotton are natural fibers, and silk is considered having great tensile strength, making it able to withstand tremendous pressure. However, cotton is also considered a strong fiber, and in some cases, can be considered to be stronger than silk. Silk? requires a great deal of extra care for it to retain its natural properties.

Cotton Is Easier to Produce

Cotton, being made and produced by plants, makes it much easier to reproduce compared to silk, which is made from silkworm cocoons. Just from this factor alone, this makes cotton much more affordable compared to silk.

When it comes to price, silk is often associated with luxury. However, that doesn't cheapen cotton one bit. In fact, our 100% cotton sweatshirts are handcrafted using only the highest quality yarns, fabrics, and finishing techniques, making our premium sweatshirts just as valuable as any silk shirt.

Is Cotton Better Than Linen?

When it comes to durability, linen stands a head above most fabrics. Made from the flax plant, linen is also a natural fiber that's considered incredibly strong and lightweight. Because flax fibers can be difficult to work and weave, however, the time it takes for linen to be harvested and turned into fabric is longer.

Linen is More Durable, But Cotton is Smoother and Softer

Linen has a rougher texture compared to cotton. Cotton is definitely softer and more flexible compared to linen, however after several washes, linen sheets and fabrics also gain a lot more softness to them. Linen yarns are wrapped tighter and are also slightly longer compared to cotton yarns, which gives them that extra tensile strength and longevity.

Both Cotton and Linen Are Breathable, But Cotton Has Insulation

Depending on the weave of the fabric, cotton weaves can be more or less breathable. Denim and canvas are examples of thicker cotton weaves.

Linen fibers, on the other hand, are hollow. This means that air and water can easily circulate. Linen also has high water wicking properties, which means they easily absorb water while at the same time dry faster. Because of linen's hollow fibers, however, they may be cool during warm weather, but need a bit more layering come winter.

That cotton hooded sweatshirt you have in your closet, therefore, has a much better chance of keeping you warm as the seasons change.

Is Cotton Better Than Wool?

Another natural fiber, wool, comes from animal fleece. This natural fiber is more commonly known to come from sheep. However, goats, bison, and some breeds of rabbits can produce wool. Each fiber has its major strengths, depending on certain situations. That's why it's key to understanding the differences between the two to know which fiber best suits which environment or situation.

Wool Is More Durable Than Cotton

Wool has a natural springiness that helps it retain its shape and makes it more durable compared to cotton. Wool fibers are more fire-resistant than cotton, have greater water wicking properties, and can take more pressure. This also means that wool has greater insulating properties compared to cotton. Wool, however, also requires more delicate handling, washing, and maintenance compared to cotton.

Cotton is Softer and Smoother than Wool

Perhaps one of the biggest downsides to wool is that it can be a bit scratchy. Wool fibers have a sort of scaley nature to them. These scales overlap one another to ultimately form the weave or the fabric. However, these scales also catch onto your skin, which gives them that rougher, scratchier texture.

When To Go 100% Cotton

Each natural fiber has its advantages and disadvantages, depending on the season and the nature of the activity you're getting into. If you're looking for that soft, luxurious feeling, silk is your best friend. During winter, wool stands out above all the rest at helping you keep warm.

When it comes to overall versatility and adaptability, however, ?cotton has an advantage. It's both breathable and insulating. It's very durable, depending on the thickness of the weave, and its smooth, soft, and hypoallergenic, making it perfect for those with sensitive skin.

As a family-owned business that's proud to produce high-quality, premium 100% cotton sweatshirts for men and women, Just Sweatshirts is the perfect place to find those classic sweatpants, or that cotton hooded sweatshirt you're looking for. If you're looking for that 100% cotton piece to add to your wardrobe, we have an extensive line of premium sweatshirts, pullovers, hoodies, and sweatpants for men and women sizes small through 3XL that you can check out at our online store.