One of the most widely used natural fibers in the world, cotton plants are native to many areas across the globe and have been cultivated for more than 7,000 years. With cotton's ease of processing together with an extensive list of attributes such as comfort, durability, and absorbency, one can easily see why it is a much-preferred fiber of choice. It is biodegradable and therefore "green," which adds to its popularity today. High-quality cotton textiles are labeled Egyptian, pima, supima, sea island, and Peruvian. Companies such as Liberty of London are known for the quality of cotton used in its textiles.
See also Organic fashion.
Historical Dictionary of the Fashion Industry. Francesca Sterlacci and Joanne Arbuckle.