Organic Cotton vs Conventional Cotton: What Is the Difference?

Organic cotton

More and more people are interested in sustainable fashion – but what exactly sets organic cotton clothing for women and men apart from conventional cotton? The biggest difference lies in how it is grown: while conventional cotton is often cultivated with synthetic pesticides and fertilisers, organic cotton is grown without these synthetic inputs and without genetically modified seed.

Here are the most important differences:

• No synthetic pesticides & fertilisers: organic cotton is grown without synthetic fertilisers or pesticides.
• No GM seed: genetically modified seed is not permitted in organic farming.
• Certified supply chain: standards such as GOTS or OCS make it traceable that the fibre really does come from organic farming.
• Comfortable to wear: cotton clothing is soft, breathable and pleasant to wear.

What is organic cotton?

Organic cotton is cotton from certified organic farming. How it has been processed can be traced through certificates: GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) covers criteria for the organic fibre content, the use of chemicals and minimum social standards in processing; OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 tests finished textiles for certain harmful substances.

Properties of organic cotton clothing for women and men:

• Soft & comfortable on the skin – ideal for basics you wear every day.
• Traceable origin – thanks to a certified supply chain.
• Durable & high quality – with good workmanship and the right care, wearable for a long time.

At ORGANICATION you will find a wide range of clothing, including cotton clothing for women and stylish organic cotton clothing for men. Depending on the item, it is certified to GOTS, OCS, GRS, RCS or RWS – the details are shown on each product page.

What to look for in materials

When choosing clothes, you can look out for the following:

• Natural or certified fibres (e.g. organic cotton, TENCEL™ Lyocell or linen)
• Breathable fabrics
• Tested textiles, e.g. to OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100
• Transparent information on material and production

That is why garments made from organic cotton are a popular everyday choice for many people.

10 tips for shopping for clothes more consciously

1. Look for certificates such as GOTS, OCS or GRS.
2. Choose organic cotton instead of conventional cotton.
3. Buy durable basics that you can combine in many ways.
4. Ask brands about their materials and places of production.
5. Care for your clothes properly to extend their life.
6. Wash synthetics less often and gently, as fibres can come loose in the wash.
7. Wash mindfully, at low temperatures and with a full drum.
8. Pare your wardrobe down to the essentials (capsule wardrobe).
9. Repair rather than throw away, so clothes are used for longer.
10. Use the newsletter discount on your first order!

Save 15% on your first order – sign up to our newsletter now!

Would you like to discover high-quality organic cotton clothing for women and men? Then sign up to the ORGANICATION newsletter now and get 15% off your first order!

Here’s how it works:

1. Visit the ORGANICATION website.
2. Sign up to the newsletter with your email address.
3. Receive your 15% voucher by email.
4. Redeem it on your first order.

Sign up now & save!

Organic cotton: a considered choice

Whether you are looking for cotton clothing for women or organic cotton clothing for men – organic cotton is soft, comfortable to wear and comes from certified organic farming. Find out more on our Organic Cotton page.