What is Pima Cotton?

Pima cotton is a premium brand of American Pima cotton that meets the strict standards of the American Supima Association (ASA). It comes from the Gossypium barbadense species known for producing extra-long staple fibers at least 1.5 inches long, about 45% longer than typical cotton fibers. 

Representing less than 1% of the world’s cotton production and around 3% of cotton grown in the U.S., Pima is one of the most luxurious cotton varieties globally, prized for its unmatched softness, strength, and color retention.

This cotton flourishes in select U.S. regions, where conditions perfectly suit its growth. These areas offer the ideal balance of sunlight and temperature, which is crucial for producing high-quality Pima cotton known for its distinct characteristics.

Historical & Cultural Significance of Supima Cotton

This video explores Supima cotton’s significant role in fashion and agriculture, focusing on its premium status and rich history. It highlights how today’s buyers prioritize knowing the backstory of their purchases, valuing the origins, craftsmanship, and ethics behind them. 

Thanks to its long fibers, Supima cotton is grown by roughly 600 family farms in the U.S. and is celebrated for its softness, durability, and vibrant colors.

It revisits the development of American Pima cotton since 1911, including its expansion when the Goodyear Tire Company adopted it for tire cords, underlining its historical value. The material’s adaptability is showcased through various applications, from automotive parts to Charles Lindbergh’s famous flight, demonstrating its resilience and excellence.

The video highlights a strategic pivot ten years ago, aiming to build stronger connections with fashion brands and better share Supima cotton’s benefits.

It also mentions partnerships with notable names like Brooks Brothers, Levi Strauss, and Uniqlo, which use the Supima name to boost their products’ appeal. These alliances help enlighten consumers on Supima cotton’s exceptional attributes, sometimes called the “cashmere of cotton.”

Unpacking the Benefits of Pima Cotton

Exceptional Softness

The extended fibers of Pima cotton are the secret to its luxurious feel. These fibers spin into smoother, finer yarns, making fabrics noticeably soft to the touch. This softness isn’t fleeting; it deepens with each laundering, ensuring enduring comfort.

Superior Strength and Durability

The remarkable length of Pima cotton fibers is directly linked to its formidable tensile strength, enhancing its resistance to stress and minimizing the chance of pilling. Clothing crafted from Pima cotton stands up to the test of time, maintaining its integrity and appearance even with regular washing.

Excellent Color Retention

Pima cotton’s fibers possess an innate ability to absorb dyes, locking in color deeply. This quality means garments retain their vivid hues, resisting fading even after repeated washes, preserving their aesthetic appeal.

Breathability and Moisture-Wicking

Despite its plushness, Pima cotton ensures wearers stay comfortable and dry. Its breathable nature and effective moisture management keep the skin cool and dry, an essential feature for daily wear and performance attire.

Sustainability

The cultivation of Pima cotton incorporates sustainable farming practices, emphasizing environmental stewardship. Furthermore, the enduring nature of Supima cotton garments contributes to reducing textile waste. Investing in Pima cotton is not just a choice for quality but also an act of mindfulness towards the planet.

Practical Uses for Pima Cotton

Watch this video from Cuts Clothing as they explain the benefits of Pima cotton.

Pima Cotton distinguishes itself in luxury apparel and elite home textiles. Its uses span from the comfort of plush bath towels and resilient bed linens to the elegance of premium t-shirts, polos, and dress shirts. In-home textiles, Pima cotton transforms sheets, duvet covers, and towels into everyday luxuries.

Its significance is equally notable in men’s athleisure wear, where comfort merges with style.

• Olivers Apparel leads upscale men’s athleisure, utilizing Pima cotton for its Classic hoodie and Surge Tee. These garments are noted for their super-soft texture, solid colors, and minimalist designs. Olivers Apparel aims to refine men’s sportswear with high-quality materials like Pima cotton.
• Sunspel, a British heritage brand, excels in crafting luxurious basics from extra-long staple Pima cotton. Their Classic T-shirt, light yet sturdy, is a testament to their innovation, marking their contribution to the first luxury t-shirt crafted from fine Pima cotton.
• Twillory’s athleisure lineup includes joggers, t-shirts, and polos made from stretchy, moisture-wicking Pima cotton, designed for comfort and performance. Their Athlounger joggers blend the ease of sweatpants with a more structured appearance, showcasing Twillory’s commitment to premium Pima cotton in their performance wear.

Additional athleisure brands like Public Rec, Mack Weldon, Vuori, Rhone, and Lululemon also embrace Pima cotton for its premium quality in their athleisure collections, underscoring the industry’s wide recognition of Pima’s superior attributes.

Investing in Pima cotton products represents a choice for enduring elegance, superior comfort, and sustainable quality. This cotton’s rarity and exceptional characteristics make it a staple in the luxury and athleisure wear markets, offering consumers products that stand the test of time in style and function. 

Its widespread adoption by leading brands attests to its value proposition, marrying the luxurious with the practical in a way that elevates everyday wear. Supima’s contribution to sustainability through durable and high-quality garments extends its appeal to environmentally conscious consumers, highlighting its role in fostering a more sustainable fashion ecosystem.

Final Thoughts on Supima Cotton

Pima cotton encapsulates unparalleled quality and sustainable luxury, distinguishing itself through its exceptional characteristics and historical and cultural significance. As a premium brand of American Pima cotton, Pima has solidified its place in the textile industry by meeting the rigorous standards of the American Supima Association (ASA).

Its extra-long staple fibers—about 45% longer than typical cotton—grant it an unmatched softness, strength, and color retention, making it a revered choice for luxury apparel and high-end home textiles.

The strategic alliances with leading fashion brands like Brooks Brothers, Levi Strauss, and Uniqlo, alongside its notable presence in men’s athleisure wear, underscore Pima’s premium positioning and appeal to designers and consumers seeking quality, performance, and sustainability. These partnerships elevate these brands’ product offerings and educate consumers on the exceptional benefits of Supima cotton, reinforcing its status as the “cashmere of cotton.”

Learn About Athleisure Fabrics & Material

With high-stretch, quick-drying, and temperature-regulating technology, athleisure fabrics are designed to keep up with every part of your day, balancing function and comfort.

Best Athleisure Brands

We’ve curated the top men’s athleisure brands all in one place. We’ve built a brand directory with brands like BYLT Basics, Cuts Clothing, Vuori, and Ministry of Supply. We feature brands like Black Ember, Ekster, and Alpaka, each making some of the dopest backpacks, totes, and sling bags.