Our Fabrics

Sateen: A woven, lightweight, smooth fabric with a subtle sheen and crispness is often used for sheeting.100% organically grown cotton, Made in the USA.

Jersey: A mid-weight knit, super-soft, stretchy and wrinkle-resistant. Iron touch up if needed after wash. 100% organically grown cotton, Made in the USA.

Lycra Jersey: A blend of 92% Organic Cotton and 8% Spandex- soft, smooth-surfaced, figure-supporting and resilient fabric that is great for travel. Iron touch up only as needed. Made in the USA.

Rib Knit: A fine 1x1 rib knit, for a better fit on the panties, bikinis, tank tops, bra tops, men's boxer briefs, and men's classic briefs. Stretches horizontally, mid-weight, smooth and soft.

Baby Jersey: Used for the men's boxers, crew and v neck tee-shirts. All elastics in this group are latex-free.

Hemp: 100% Organic. Similar to linen, hemp is mid-weight, durable and wrinkles less than cotton. Used for the hemp Zen shirts, hemp Zen pants and capri.

Velour: Our 100% Organic Cotton Velour looks like a non-shiny, rich velvet. It is warm with a thick nap and is slightly stretchable.

Multiple Chemical Sensitivity and our Fabrics

MCS: What is it?

Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) was first described by allergist Theron G. Randolph (1906-1995) as an allergic reaction caused by exposure to "normal" levels of modern synthetic chemicals. He proposed that people can accumulate small doses of chemicals over time, to the point that the body becomes unable to tolerate further exposure.

The Chemical Sensitivity Foundation also lists exposure to higher levels of solvents and pesticides, as well as chemicals in newly built homes and offices, as more rapid causes of MCS. Not everyone develops MCS, and the validity of the diagnosis has been debated since it was first recognized, but western medical doctors and associations are now acknowledging that the removal of chemical irritants does relive the symptoms described by MCS sufferers.

Eastern and holistic medical philosophies, which view the body as energy-based and sensitive to subtle relationships between mind, body and spirit, typically support the validity of an MCS diagnosis and recommend the individual do everything possible to purify their environment.

Symptoms

MCS can encompass a wide range of symptoms, and sufferers can experience one or more. These include: asthma, memory loss and confusion, migraines, rashes, joint pain, dizziness, fatigue and other symptoms.

If you think you suffer from MCS you should contact a specialist institution (such as the Yale University Department of Internal Medicine Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine) to ensure that your symptoms are properly diagnosed and not dismissed as psychosomatic.

A Pure Solution

People with MCS often cannot tolerate wearing non-organic cotton. They may be reacting to a host of irritants: pesticides and insecticides used to grow the cotton, chlorine used for bleach, arsenic used for fabric treatment, and heavy metals used for dyes.

Cottonfield offers a number of comfortable and stylish items that may be tolerated by people with MCS. These include all of our Color Grown pieces (socks, shirts, pants, skirts and washcloths) which are organically grown, un-treated, un-dyed fabrics that grow in subtle shades of green, yellow and brown. Our Natural (un-treated, un-dyed off-white) regular organic cotton pieces, including a full selection of latex-free undergarments and many shirts, pants, skirts, jackets and dresses, may also be good for customers with MCS.

Although we successfully serve a number of customers with MCS, some extremely sensitive individuals may still react to our organic, un-treated, un-dyed cotton. If you are concerned that you might react to our fabrics, or want more specific information about our products, please call us at our office in Boston: 617-787-8111 or if out of state 888-954-1551 and we will be happy to speak with you!