At hipSwan, we are committed to prioritising the use of natural, recyclable, and biodegradable materials in our products. For our first batch of socks, we chose Organic comed cotton as our primary fabric. Here’s why.
What is Organic Combed Cotton?
Organic Cotton: Organic cotton is produced and certified according to organic agricultural standards, ensuring that its production sustains the health of soils, ecosystems, and people by utilising natural processes rather than artificial inputs.
GOTS Certified: Our Organic cotton is certified by the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS). This means it is grown without synthetic pesticides, insecticides, herbicides, or genetically modified organisms (GMOs), unlike conventional cotton.
Combed Cotton: Organic comed cotton is an exceptionally soft version of organic cotton. It undergoes special treatment to refine the cotton fibres before they are spun into yarn, enhancing their quality and comfort.
How it is made ?
This meticulous process improves the strength, durability, and overall quality of the cotton fibres. The resulting combed cotton is softer and stronger than regular cotton, making it a highly durable and comfortable material that is also biodegradable.
However, we should be conscious that
While Organic cotton is a more sustainable choice, cotton production still faces significant environmental and ethical challenges:
- Environmental Impact: Conventional cotton farming can consume large amounts of water and involves the heavy use of chemical pesticides and fertilisers, which can harm workers' health and local ecosystems.
- Human Rights: Many people depend on cotton for their livelihoods, but the industry is often criticised for poor and unsafe working conditions.
- Organic Challenges: Organic cotton limits the use of harmful chemicals, but some natural pesticides can be just as toxic as synthetic ones.
These are some of the trade-offs we must consider as we build our brand. There are no easy answers, and many compromises, but we pledge to be transparent with our customers.
Ready to Shop Organic Combed Cotton Socks?
Our collection features three styles made from organic combed cotton:
shop chill no-show socks
shop flow gripper socks
shop roam all-day socks
About the author - hipSwan
Launched in October, 2021 after two years of research & development, Brighton-based hipSwan specialises in performance socks for conscious consumers. With hundreds of 5-star reviews and thousands of happy UK customers, hipSwan not only offers eco-friendly socks but is also committed to a sustainable business model with batch production, carbon offsets, minimal/recycled packaging, and supporting charities that improve the environment. To date, the hipSwan company forest has grown to over 10,000 trees in partnership with TreeSisters UK.
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- Organic Combed Cotton: The Facts You Need to Know
