Organic Cotton Clothing: How to Reduce Plastic in Your Wardrobe in 2025
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Time to Read: 6 min
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Are you looking to replace your polyester basics with more natural materials this year? If so, read one!
In a world increasingly concerned with microplastic pollution and sustainable living, our wardrobes represent a significant opportunity for change. With synthetic fabrics making up over 60% of clothing fibres worldwide, making mindful choices about what we wear has never been more important.
Every year, washing synthetic clothing releases an estimated 500,000 tons of microfibres into our oceans – equivalent to 50 billion plastic bottles. The good news? By making more conscious choices, we can significantly reduce our personal plastic footprint.
1. Take Time to Read Fabric Labels
The journey to reducing plastic in your wardrobe begins with awareness. Next time you're shopping, flip the garment inside out and study the composition tag. Many people are surprised to discover just how many items are clothing are majority polyester, nylon, acrylic, or other petroleum-derived synthetic fibres.
Common synthetic fabrics to watch for:
- Polyester – The most common synthetic, accounting for about 52% of all fibre production
- Nylon – Often used in activewear and stockings
- Acrylic – Frequently found in cardigans as a wool substitute
- Elastane/Spandex – Provides stretch in many garments
- Polyamide – Used in durability-focused applications
Where possible, try and opt for items of cltohing that have a smaller proportion of these materials. Even items marketed as "natural" may contain significant percentages of synthetic materials. A "cotton blend" t-shirt might contain as little as 20% cotton, with the rest being polyester. Developing the habit of checking labels empowers you to make informed choices before purchasing.
Try this exercise: Go through your current wardrobe and check the fabric composition of ten random items. You might be surprised at how prevalent synthetic materials are, even in garments you wouldn't expect.
2. Opt for More Natural Materials
When rebuilding your wardrobe, prioritise truly natural fibres, such as organic cotton clothing. Organic cotton clothing stands out as a superior choice for several compelling reasons:
- Skin-Friendly Properties: Unlike synthetic fibres that can trap heat and moisture against your skin, organic cotton is naturally breathable, allowing air circulation that helps prevent irritation, rashes, and bacterial growth.
- Hypoallergenic Benefits: Organic cotton is grown without toxic pesticides, insecticides, or synthetic fertilisers that can leave residues in the fabric. These chemical residues in conventional cotton and synthetics can trigger allergic reactions, especially in people with sensitive skin or conditions like eczema.
- Temperature Regulation: Cotton's natural fibres help regulate body temperature by absorbing moisture (up to 27% of its weight) while still feeling dry against your skin - something synthetic petroleum-based fabrics simply cannot replicate.
- Reduced Toxicity: Organic cotton is processed without the harsh chemicals used in conventional cotton production, which means fewer potential irritants and toxins coming into contact with your skin on a daily basis.
- Biodegradability: Unlike synthetics that can take hundreds of years to decompose, organic cotton naturally breaks down at the end of its lifecycle without releasing microplastics.
Organic cotton eliminates chemicals from both the environment and your clothing.
Other excellent natural alternatives include:
- Linen (made from flax) – One of the most environmentally friendly fabrics, requiring minimal water and pesticides
- Hemp – Grows quickly with little water, naturally resistant to pests, and produces twice as much fibre per square metre as cotton
- Wool – A renewable resource that's naturally moisture-wicking, temperature-regulating, and biodegradable
- Silk – A biodegradable luxury fibre produced by silkworms (though ethical considerations around traditional silk production have led to peace silk alternatives)
- Tencel/Lyocell – Made from sustainably harvested wood pulp in a closed-loop process that reuses 99.5% of chemicals and water
Each natural material has unique properties and care requirements, but organic cotton offers perhaps the most versatile foundation for a more natural wardrobe.
3. Start With the Layers Closest to Your Skin
If overhauling your entire wardrobe feels overwhelming, a good place to begin can be with the items that directly touch your body such as your underwear and base layers.
Opting for cotton underwear and base layers such as t-shirts, tanks and bodysuits can provide many benefits:
- Reduced Friction: Cotton's soft fibres cause less friction against skin, reducing irritation during movement
- Moisture Management: The fibre naturally wicks moisture away from the body, helping maintain healthy skin by preventing the damp environments where bacteria thrive
- Breathability: Your skin needs to breathe, and cotton's porous nature allows for better air circulation than synthetic alternatives
Consider these priorities for your skin-contact clothing:
- Underwear and bras – opt for natural materials such as cotton that provide breathability in intimate areas where skin sensitivity is highest
- T-shirts and tank tops – synthetic fabrics such as polyester can make you sweat and smell, especially through warmer months. Opt for a natural material such as Organic Cotton for superior breathability and temperature regulation.
- Pyjamas – The breathability of organic cotton helps regulate body temperature during sleep, potentially improving sleep quality
Many people who switch from synthetic to organic cotton report noticeable improvements in skin conditions, reduced irritation, and better overall comfort. This is particularly true for those with eczema, psoriasis, or generally sensitive skin.
4. Shop for Longevity — High Quality Trumps Quantity
Fast fashion's low prices often come with hidden costs – poor durability, synthetic materials, and unsustainable production practices. Investing in fewer, higher-quality garments made from natural fibres ultimately creates less waste and reduces your plastic consumption.
When shopping for quality organic cotton clothing pieces:
- Look for dense, tight weaves that indicate higher-quality cotton
- Check the weight – better quality cotton typically has more substance
- Examine stitching quality, particularly at stress points
- Consider GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) and The Organic Content Standard (OCS) certifications for authentic organic cotton
Consider developing a capsule wardrobe of versatile, well-made pieces that:
- Feature classic designs that won't quickly go out of style
- Are constructed with proper stitching and finishing
- Use high-quality natural fibres that improve with wear
- Can be repaired when damaged
While the initial investment may be higher, the cost-per-wear of quality garments is typically much lower in the long run. Plus, the satisfaction of wearing well-made clothing that ages beautifully creates a healthier relationship with your wardrobe.
5. Remember, Different Materials Do Different Things
It's important to maintain perspective – some specialised clothing legitimately benefits from synthetic components. Performance rainwear, for instance, often requires waterproof membranes that natural materials alone cannot provide.
In these cases, consider:
- Choosing items with recycled synthetic content – Many brands now use ECONYL® (recycled nylon) or rPET (recycled polyester)
- Looking for brands developing bio-based alternatives to traditional synthetics, such as Yulex (plant-based wetsuit material)
- Maintaining these specialty items properly to maximise their lifespan through proper washing and storage
- Using washing bags designed to capture microplastics when you clean these items – some washing bag products can trap up to 90% of fibre fragments
The goal isn't necessarily absolute purity but making informed choices that balance practical needs with the impact of the fabric.
Organic Cotton Clothing: Conclusion
Transitioning to a less plastic-dependent wardrobe doesn't happen overnight, and perfection shouldn't be the enemy of progress. Each mindful choice – whether that's an organic cotton t-shirt to replace a worn-out polyester one or investing in a wool cardigan instead of acrylic – represents a positive step.
As consumer demand for natural fibres like organic cotton continues to grow, manufacturers are responding with more options at various price points. By learning and sharing knowledge with friends and family, you're already contributing to a larger movement toward more sustainable fashion practices.
Remember that the most sustainable wardrobe is one filled with clothes you truly love and will wear for years to come. Prioritising organic cotton for items closest to your skin, means you're making choices that benefit both environmental sustainability and your personal health and comfort.
We would love to keep this conversation going with you, as it’s extremely close to our heart here at Not Basics. What steps have you already taken to reduce synthetic materials in your wardrobe?
Leave us a comment below, we'd love to hear from you!
