I used to assume that cotton was as natural as could be. It comes from a plant—what could be more natural? As it happens, however, very little is pure or natural about the conventional cotton sold by mainstream retailers.

Conventional Cotton uses approximately 25% of the world’s insecticides and more than 10% of the world’s pesticides, making it the second most pesticide-laden crop after coffee. (source: Allen Woodburn Associates Ltd./Managing Resources Ltd., “Cotton: The Crop and its Agrochemicals Market,” 1995.) From a humanitarian perspective, there are several reasons one should avoid purchasing conventional cotton. To start, cotton is a water-thirsty crop. It also tends to grow in third world countries where labor and human rights are often overlooked for the bottom line. Many third world countries don’t even have enough water for their citizens. When cotton-growing retailers usurp vital water supplies, water becomes an influential political tool.

For these reasons, Patagonia converted its entire sportswear line to 100% organically grown cotton. Popular items include the company’s line of Lightweight Everyday Socks — and the Men’s Lightweight Stand up Shorts.

Lightweight Everyday Socks

Patagonia Men’s Lightweight Stand Up Shorts

Posted on April 12th, 2008 by Olivia Zaleski