Cotton 101: A Fun (and Actually Useful) Guide to Different Types of Cotton

Let’s be real—cotton is everywhere. Your favourite jeans? Cotton. That comfy old band tee? Cotton. Even the tote bag you swear you'll stop collecting? Yep, cotton. But not all cotton is created equal. Some are soft and luxurious, others rugged and durable, and some are grown with sustainability in mind (like the ones we use at Kings of Indigo; I'm just saying).

So, whether you're a denim connoisseur or just want to know what makes your jeans so good, here’s a breakdown of different types of cotton—KOI style.

Organic Cotton – The Overachiever 🌱

This is the good stuff. Grown without synthetic pesticides, fertilizers, or GMOs, organic cotton is better for the planet, better for farmers, and better for your jeans.

💡 Where does it come from?

• Farms that follow strict organic farming practices.
• Grown with less water and no harmful chemicals.

Why it’s great:

• Way less water waste compared to conventional cotton.
• No toxic chemicals = better for your skin and the environment.
• Stronger fibres = more durable jeans (and less replacing).
  

Where you’ll find it:

We prioritize GOTS-certified organic cotton in our KOI denim whenever possible, upholding the highest sustainability standards—because fast-fashion cotton simply doesn’t make the cut.

Recycled Cotton – The Eco-Warrior ♻️

Why grow new cotton when we can give old cotton a second life? Recycled cotton cuts waste, saves water, and reduces the need for new raw materials.

Pre-Consumer Recycled Cotton – Factory Scraps, Reborn

💡 Where does it come from?

• Leftover fabric scraps from garment production
• Unused cotton that never became a finished product.

Why it’s great:

• Stops fabric waste before it even becomes waste.
• Reduces energy, water, and chemical use.
• Still high-quality since it hasn’t been worn or washed.

Where you’ll find it:

Blended into our denim and woven fabrics for durability and sustainability.

Post-Consumer Recycled Cotton – Old Clothes, New Life

💡 Where does it come from?

• Worn-out jeans, old t-shirts, and discarded textiles. 
• Clothing collected from take-back programs and recycling bins.

Why it’s great:

•  Keeps old clothes out of landfills.
•  Saves tons of water, chemicals, and energy.
•  Closes the loop—your old jeans become new ones. 

Where you’ll find it:

Some of our KOI denim and outerwear—because circular fashion is the future.

Conventional Cotton – The One We Avoid 🚫

This is the cheap, mass-produced cotton used in fast fashion. It’s grown with tons of pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, and excessive water use, making it harmful to the planet and the people who farm it.

💡 Where does it come from?

• Large-scale industrial farms with heavy chemical use.
• Often linked to poor working conditions and environmental damage.

Why we don’t use it:

• Requires way more water and pesticides than organic cotton.
• Soil-depleting, biodiversity-killing, and just bad news.
• Not as durable, so fast fashion brands pump out more of it = more waste.

Where you’ll find it:

Fast fashion brands (aka, NOT in KOI jeans).

Why KOI Chooses Better Cotton

At Kings of Indigo, we don’t mess with wasteful, chemical-heavy cotton. We stick to organic, recycled, and responsibly sourced cotton because:

It’s better for the planet.
It’s better for your wardrobe.
It’s built to last.

So, next time you check a label, ask yourself: Is this cotton making a difference, or is it just making waste?

Shop KOI’s sustainable denim collection HERE