Pima Cotton Fabric: What It Is, How It’s Made & Why Premium Brands Love It

Pima cotton is often described as the “cashmere of cotton,” a material that offers unmatched softness, strength, and longevity. Known for its premium positioning in the textile world, it’s a favorite choice for luxury clothing brands, sustainable fashion labels, and apparel startups seeking fabrics that elevate their collections.

This guide explains what Pima cotton is, how it’s made, how it compares to other cotton types, and why brands committed to quality keep choosing it.

Pima Cotton in the Global Market

According to statistics, demand for American Pima remains concentrated among a few major buyers. In the 2025/26 crop year, India led imports with 26,700 bales, followed by Vietnam, Egypt, Pakistan, and China. Together, these nations account for over 75% of all American Pima exports, showing just how valuable this cotton remains on a global scale.

What Is Pima Cotton?

Pima cotton is an ultra-soft, luxury-grade cotton known for its extra-long staple (ELS) fibers, which measure over 34 millimeters in length. Most cotton varieties use shorter fibers, but Pima is part of a rare group, along with Egyptian and a few other ELS cottons, which delivers superior softness, strength, and a smooth finish.

This premium fiber comes from a specific cotton plant species called Gossypium barbadense, which thrives only in warm, tropical climates and is extremely sensitive to frost. The plant grows as a small tree, producing bright yellow flowers that eventually yield unusually long, silky cotton fibers. Because of its tropical origins, fabrics made from G. barbadense are sometimes referred to as “sea island cotton,” a term that dates to the period when Western settlers cultivated it on islands such as Barbados. Historical evidence suggests, however, that this cotton was grown in South America and the West Indies for more than 3,000 years, long before European cultivation began.

Today, Pima cotton is grown in Peru, the United States, and Australia, where the climate supports its fiber quality. Consumers and brands prize it for its luxurious texture, rich appearance, and resistance to wear. Unlike many delicate fabrics, Pima cotton can be machine washed in warm water and tumbled dried, and it is available in thread counts to 300, making it both indulgent and practical.

One standout feature of Pima cotton is its exceptional resistance to pilling. In standard cotton garments, tiny fiber balls (pills) can form after just 10 washes. Thanks to Pima’s longer fibers, pilling is minimal, allowing clothing to maintain its smooth, fresh look for years.

It’s worth noting that Pima cotton and Supima cotton are related but not identical. Supima, a trademark of the American Supima Association, is grown exclusively in the United States and represents the top 1% of the world’s cotton. The name is a blend of “superior” and “Pima,” underscoring its exceptional quality and verified authenticity.

Key Characteristics of Pima Cotton

Pima cotton’s reputation for quality is not just a marketing claim; it comes from the way its fibers are formed and how they perform over time.

Extra-long Staple Fibers (35–41 mm)

The longer fibers mean the yarn made from Pima cotton is smoother, stronger, and finer than regular cotton. This results in fabric that feels soft yet remains durable after years of use.

Exceptional Softness and Comfort

The fibers have fewer loose ends, which makes the surface of the fabric feel silky and gentle against the skin. This is why Pima cotton is often chosen for clothing worn close to the body, like T-shirts, underwear, and baby clothes.

High Durability

Longer fibers twist together more securely, making the fabric stronger and less likely to break, tear, or fray. Pima cotton clothing can withstand frequent washing without losing shape or strength.

Colorfastness

Pima cotton holds dye more effectively, so colors stay vibrant even after many washes. This is especially valuable for brands wanting garments that look new for longer.

Natural Sheen and Breathability

The structure of the fibers reflects light slightly, giving the fabric a soft, natural shine. At the same time, it allows air to pass through easily, helping the wearer stay cool and comfortable.

Low pilling

Thanks to its long fibers, Pima cotton resists the formation of tiny fabric balls, or “pills,” that can make clothes look worn out. Garments stay smooth and fresh-looking, even after repeated wear.

How Pima Cotton Is Made

Producing Pima cotton is a meticulous process that starts with climate-specific cultivation and ends with premium-quality yarn.

1. Cultivation

Pima cotton thrives in warm, dry climates with plenty of sunshine. It is grown in Peru, the southwestern U.S., and Australia, where consistent temperatures and irrigation create ideal conditions.

2. Harvesting and Ginning

The cotton is picked (either by hand or machine) and sent through a ginning process to remove seeds while preserving fiber integrity.

3. Combining and Spinning

Fibers are combed to align them and remove shorter strands, ensuring an even smoother texture. They’re then spun into fine, strong yarns.

4. Certification

Many Pima cotton fabrics are Supima certified, guaranteeing they are 100% American-grown extra-long staple cotton with traceable, ethical sourcing.

Comparison: Pima vs Upland vs Egyptian Cotton

Uses of Pima Cotton in Apparel

Pima cotton is versatile, making it a go-to choice for premium essentials and products where comfort meets durability. Because Pima cotton combines softness, strength, and lasting quality, it is often chosen for products that people wear or use every day, especially when comfort and durability are equally important.

• High-quality T-shirts: Lightweight, breathable, and incredibly soft, yet sturdy enough to manage repeated washing without losing shape.
• Polos and casual shirts: Keep their structure and color for longer, making them a smart choice for premium casual wear.
• Everyday undergarments: Naturally gentle on the skin, making them ideal for people with sensitivity or allergies.
• Baby and children’s clothing: Smooth, hypoallergenic texture ensures comfort for delicate skin.
• Luxury home textiles: Occasionally used in bed sheets and towels, where their softness creates a hotel-quality feel.

Pros and Cons of Pima Cotton

Pros:

• Long-lasting and durable — outperforms regular cotton in lifespan
• Luxuriously soft — premium feel from the first wear
• Great for sensitive skin — hypoallergenic properties
• Retains color and shape — even after repeated washing

Cons:

• More expensive — reflects its higher quality and production cost
• Risk of counterfeit claims — always verify certifications like Supima®
• No inherently organic — requires organic certification if chemical-free farming is a priority

Is Pima Cotton Sustainable?

While not automatically organic, Pima cotton is often seen as a more sustainable option because it lasts longer, meaning fewer replacements and less waste of time. Sustainability depends on sourcing practices, so collaborating with verified suppliers is key.

• Water & Pesticide Efficiency: Pima often requires less water and fewer pesticides than conventional cotton when responsibly grown.
• Reduced Waste: Its extended lifespan reduces consumption and landfill waste.
• Traceable Supply: Certified Supima cotton offers complete transparency from farm to fabric, ensuring ethical production.

Seam Apparel & Premium Fabric Sourcing

Seam Apparel specializes in sourcing certified Pima cotton fabrics for apparel brands aiming to position themselves in the premium market. Whether it’s a Pima cotton T-shirt collection or luxury polos, Seam Apparel ensures you receive authentic, traceable, and premium-quality fabric.

Our capabilities include:

• Fabric switching and consultation to help you select the ideal weight, finish, and weave
• Support for DTC brands and scaling businesses at every stage
• Small batch to bulk production for flexibility
• Sampling & full-package production for Pima cotton-based apparel lines

Conclusion

For brands seeking to combine luxury comfort with long-term durability, Pima cotton stands out as a worthwhile investment. Its softness, color retention, and superior strength make it ideal for premium basics, soft essentials, and high-end apparel lines.

If your next collection demands a fabric that elevates your brand, consider Pima cotton, and ensure it’s sourced from verified, ethical suppliers. For brands aiming to create premium basics that align with sustainable values, Pima cotton is an excellent choice. You can also explore other eco-friendly materials for clothing to diversify your fabric sourcing.

Contact Seam Apparel to explore Pima cotton sourcing, sampling, and production for your next project.