When you see the Fairtrade (spelt without the space) label on a product, you know that it has been approved by the Fairtrade Foundation, an organisation that fights for better prices, sustainability, decent working conditions and a fair deal for the workers and farmers involved in the production of the product. 

You’ll find the Fairtrade label on many products from sugar to bananas, but you can also find it on clothing products that are made from Fairtrade cotton.

Fairtrade cotton is cotton that has been grown and processed to the standards laid out by the Fairtrade Foundation. These standards encourage sustainable cotton production and provide a guaranteed Fairtrade Minimum Price and a Fairtrade Premium for farmers. 

This Premium generated almost €1.5 million in 2018, with almost 20% of it being spent on education and other community projects. 

The Fairtrade cotton that goes into our Fairtrade products is of great quality and produces superior products. It is soft, durable, and gentle on the skin, making it useful for a whole range of different purposes, including workwear, uniform, events, promotions, and retail.

You can’t have Fairtrade polyester, nylon, or other synthetic materials because they are manufactured and not grown. 

Organic T-shits, sweatshirts, hoodies, and polos other garments are all made from organic materials like cotton. To call something organic, it must be certified organic by an organisation like the Soil Association or Global Standard (who developed the Global Organic Textile Standard - GOTS).

These standards mean that your garments are produced with organic fibres and processed in accordance with strict social and environmental standards, protecting the planet and the workers involved in the supply chain. 

Organic standards like GOTS and Soil Association Organic ensure that wastewater is properly treated, “low impact” dyes are used, and harsh chemicals aren’t used while the cotton is being grown.

You can’t have organic polyester, nylon, or other synthetic materials because they are manufactured and not grown. 

Fairtrade-certified cotton behaves in the same way that conventional cotton does. It will shrink if washed at high temperatures but is suitable for normal washing routines. If you follow the manufacturer’s instructions (which you can find on the label), you shouldn’t have any problems.

There are many places online where you can buy ethically produced clothing. You may also find small businesses that are local to you that offer ethical options. 

At A.M. Custom Clothing, we’ve been selling ethically produced, organic and Fairtrade clothing for the best part of a decade and have built a huge selection of sustainable and ethical options. You can buy our Fairtrade clothing, organic clothing, and ethical clothing directly from our online store. You’ll also find a range of recycled items, including T-shirts, sweatshirts and bags.

We get a lot of questions from customers asking about bamboo clothing products, but it may not be the sustainable super fibre they think it is. 

While bamboo is versatile, easy to grow, and doesn’t lead to huge amounts of deforestation, it requires a lot of resources to turn it into small fibres to use in clothing. 

Fairtrade-certified cotton, therefore, may have the edge on bamboo. Bamboo is certainly a step up from conventional, synthetic materials, but several factors are acting in cotton’s favour. 

The first is the fact that it comes off the cotton plant in a highly usable form. Picking and spinning cotton doesn’t require giant, energy-consuming presses. It also doesn’t involve the use of dangerous solvents, again preventing harmful chemicals from leaching into the environment.

You can read more about the comparison between bamboo and organic cotton on our blog.

Some companies use the terms “fairly traded” or “fair trade” to say that their products are ethical and/or sustainable. However, neither of these come with the guarantees that you get with products that bear the “Fairtrade” label.

This label is granted by the Fairtrade Foundation, a body that conforms to the following principles:

• Fair prices paid to producers and workers, that allows them to live, and not just survive.
• Safe working conditions, no child labour and non-discriminatory working conditions
• Two sides, fair trading practices

If you see a product that carries the Fairtrade Foundation certification, or certification from another fair trade governing organisation, you can be sure it conforms to these standards.

Outside of the UK, other bodies govern the “fair trade” movement, so you may want to check what applies where you are. However, when you buy anything “Fairtrade” from A.M. Custom Clothing, you can be sure it is accredited by the Fairtrade Foundation. 

You read more about this in our guide Fairtrade vs fair trade vs fairly traded – What is the difference?

Organic Fairtrade cotton doesn’t mean you need to compromise in other areas. They’re soft, durable, and come with a great fit, ensuring you, your customers, and your team can all look and feel great.

You can clean Fairtrade cotton clothing products in the same way that you would any conventional garments. The only difference between the two is that one was produced without harmful chemicals in a sustainable way, while the other may not have been. 

Just follow the care instructions that can be found on the label inside the garment and you’ll have no problems.

Fairtrade cotton is just as breathable as conventional cotton. The only difference between the two is that one was produced without harmful chemicals in a sustainable way, while the other may not have been.

Cotton is naturally soft. If you’ve ever seen photos of it being grown, you’ll know that it looks like little fluffy balls (a bit like cotton wool). The manufacturing process is mostly what determines how soft it will be, rather than whether it is organic or not. 

With that said, Fairtrade cotton generally has longer fibres than non-organic cotton, which can also make them feel softer.

Generally, cotton products with a higher thread count will feel softer. Products that use “combed cotton” will also be softer than ones that don’t.

Thankfully, all of our Fairtrade cotton clothing products are soft and made to a high standard.

If you are looking for clothing products that reduce your environmental impact and contribute to a more equitable society, then Fairtrade cotton clothing could be your answer. 

You can buy Fairtrade cotton products, including T-shirts, vests, hoodies, polos, tote bags, aprons, and more in our online store.

In its raw form, Fairtrade cotton will feel very similar to conventional cotton. Fairtrade organic cotton usually has longer fibres which can give it a software feel, though the biggest factor in whether a product feels soft is how it is manufactured. 

Typically, Fairtrade cotton products will feel software because the manufacturer invests in making them to a higher standard, therefore producing better quality garments.

Printing onto organic T-shirts and Fairtrade sweatshirts is no different to any other garment. We use eco-friendly inks to deliver a quality finish in an environmentally friendly manner. Choosing the ethical option doesn’t mean you need to compromise on quality.

If you want to find out even more about Fairtrade clothing you may find the following blog posts a good place to start.

Organic Cotton Vs Recycled Polyester: The Facts

Bamboo vs Organic Cotton T-Shirts

4 Ways That Small Businesses Can Prioritise Sustainability

The Rise Of Micro Production Runs For Merchandise