Cotton Spandex
WHAT WE LOVE
A low carbon footprint. The Peruvian Cotton in our Cotton Spandex fabric goes from seed to garment all in Peru, minimizing supply chain pollution from transportation.
WHAT WE DON'T LOVE
Spandex is plastic. We know we can be even more sustainable by replacing our current spandex to a recycled spandex.
This is our soft and stretchy fabric made from 96% Peruvian Cotton and 4% Spandex. When combined with cotton, spandex makes a perfect fabric for athleisure clothing.
When it comes to natural fibers, the longer the staple, the softer the feel. Unlike most commercial cotton, Peruvian Cotton is actually harvested entirely by hand. This allows for an exceptionally long staple and makes the end product soft, durable, and resistant to pilling. Because of this durability, garments made of Peruvian Cotton will naturally have a longer lifespan. That means you’ll be keeping them in your closet (and out of a landfill).
Cotton is native to Peru. The fiber is deeply tied to the traditions and culture of Peru as indigenous people have cultivated the fiber for thousands of years there. Utilizing this fiber is further preserving a tradition that provides income to many and helps the local economy of indigenous people. Our sources work directly with communities in Peru to provide opportunity and ensure that quality and ethical standards are met.
Our vertical manufacturing process in Peru also makes this fabric one of our most sustainable. Our cotton is grown, harvested by hand, spun into yarn, knit into fabric, cut and sewn into garments locally (mostly in the city of Lima). A local “seed to garment” approach minimizes pollution from transportation and dramatically reduces our carbon footprint as compared to industry standard. It’s also important to note that our factories have made a commitment to ZERO WASTE. Our fabric scraps from cutting are bundled and then re-purposed into mops, rags, and mattress fillers ensuring a circular supply chain that keeps waste out of landfills.
Spandex, on the other hand, is a synthetic fiber known for its elasticity. The base material used to make Spandex is polyurethane. Plastic. The truth is that overall, Spandex has a negative impact on the environment. We know we can be even more sustainable by replacing our current spandex to a recycled spandex.
LANDFILL LIFETIME: If a 100% Peruvian Cotton item ends up in a landfill it would take approximately 3 months to biodegrade depending on soil conditions. However, the Spandex portion will remain anywhere from 20-200 years.
CARE: Machine washable. All of our Cotton Spandex garments have been pre-washed and dyed to reduce shrinkage. To prevent any slight shrinking, air dry or dry on a low setting. We also recommend washing these items separate from abrasive items like denim, towels, or items with hardware (zippers, buttons) as it causes unnecessary wear and tear.