When shopping for premium apparel, one word you’ll always encounter is cotton. But not all cotton is created equal. The type of cotton used in your t-shirt determines how it feels, how long it lasts, and how it ages with wear. At Neolithic, we believe fabric is the foundation of fashion. That’s why we carefully choose the right type of cotton to match our vision of primal elegance and modern comfort.

Let’s explore the different types of cotton fabrics—Supima, Organic, Biowashed, and more—to understand what sets them apart.

1. Supima Cotton: The King of Cotton

Supima stands for “Superior Pima,” and it lives up to its name. Grown exclusively in the United States, Supima cotton represents less than 1% of cotton grown worldwide.

✅ Key Features:

• Extra-long staple fibers (about 1.5 inches vs. 1 inch in regular cotton), making it softer, stronger, and more resistant to pilling.
• High color retention and natural sheen.
• Fabric feels luxurious and lasts longer.

📌 Best For:

Luxury t-shirts, premium fashion, garments that need both softness and durability.

2. Organic Cotton: Grown Clean, Worn Proud

Organic cotton is grown without synthetic pesticides, chemical fertilizers, or genetically modified seeds. It’s a sustainable and eco-friendly alternative to conventional cotton.

✅ Key Features:

• Environmentally responsible—less water, no toxic runoff.
• Gentler on skin, making it ideal for sensitive skin types.
• Breathable and naturally soft.

📌 Best For:

Eco-conscious buyers, baby clothing, everyday wear with a sustainable story.

3. Biowashed Cotton: Treated for Comfort

Biowashing is a fabric finishing process using enzymes to remove tiny protruding fibers, resulting in a smoother, softer, and more color-retaining fabric.

✅ Key Features:

• Less fuzz, reduced pilling.
• Better print clarity for graphic tees.
• Soft feel right out of the box—no break-in period.

📌 Best For:

Printed t-shirts, luxury casualwear, or anything that touches the skin directly.

4. Combed Cotton: Smoothed for Softness

In combed cotton, the fibers are literally combed to remove impurities and short strands before spinning.

✅ Key Features:

• Smoother, stronger yarns.
• Feels soft but more structured than standard cotton.
• Less fraying and pilling.

📌 Best For:

High-end basics, uniform-quality garments, and structured fits.

5. Pima Cotton: Supima’s Cousin

Pima is a long-staple cotton, often grown in Peru, Australia, and parts of the U.S. Supima is actually a branded, American version of Pima cotton.

✅ Key Features:

• Soft, durable, and breathable.
• Natural resistance to wear and fraying.
• Often more affordable than Supima, but still considered premium.

📌 Best For:

Mid-range luxury, long-lasting basics.

6. Ring-Spun Cotton: Classic with a Twist

Ring-spun cotton is made by twisting and thinning the cotton strands to make a finer, stronger yarn.

✅ Key Features:

• Softer and stronger than open-end cotton.
• Smooth surface, great for printing.
• Not as premium as Supima but better than basic cotton.

📌 Best For:

Graphic t-shirts, activewear, everyday essentials.

7. Slub Cotton: Wabi-Sabi Texture

Slub cotton is intentionally uneven, with slight bumps or “slubs” that give it a textured and organic look.

✅ Key Features:

• Unique appearance.
• Breathable and light.
• Natural irregularity adds charm.

📌 Best For:

Vintage or rustic-inspired looks, boho fashion, casual wear.