Shop for Cotton

First and foremost when you buy cotton, make sure the fabric you pay for is actually cotton. A lot of retailers pass off synthetic or mixed fabrics as cotton to naive consumers. In fact, it can happen to the best of us. Often we buy cotton and then wonder why it does not behave like our favourite fabric!

Knowing the fiber content and thread count will help you understand the price of a cotton product. This is often based on the thread count, the number of threads in one square inch of fabric. The higher the count, the softer and stronger the fabric, and finer the quality of the cloth. Distinctive details such as hem stitching, piping or eyelet trim also affect the cost.

Although cotton can be easily dry-cleaned, while buying cotton watch out for embossed designs, loose knit weaves that snag easily, delicate embellished fabrics, linings, shoulder pads and inner construction. Also, keep a look out for garments that require professional pressing and finishing such as starched oxford shirts.

Wrinkle-free finishes are quite popular, especially for ready-to-wear office clothes. However, before you buy anything made of this finish, check whether such finishes diminish the natural power of the fabric to absorb sweat and stay cool.