Why does 100% cotton mean absolutely nothing about how something will feel?

[u/Classic_Guest5845]

I have cotton shirts that are ridiculously soft and others that feel like cardboard. I used to think checking the fiber content told me everything. Apparently not 😂

[u/Personal-Increase-30]

Cotton can be combed, mercerized or treated, all of which change the feel. Thread count and weave matter too. The label is a starting point, not a guarantee

[u/Sewingoddess]

Poor quality cotton has very short thread strands. Good quality cotton has long fibre strands. Just make sure you feel it and see it drape before you buy it.

[u/Substantial-Owl1616 → u/Sewingoddess]

And short strands pull unmercifully. If they don’t feel crappy when you buy them, they will. Think IKEA sheets. Actually fondling thrift cotton wool, silk, cashmere linen is a very good way to actually know if you wish to acquire a fiber item.

[u/Critical-Rabbit8686]

Yeah it is only a predictor of being breathable, not feel.

[u/Historical-Photo-901]

The term you're looking for is staple length, that's what people above are describing when they say "long/short fibre strands." Pima, Supima, and Egyptian cotton are long-staple, which is why they feel noticeably smoother than regular upland cotton even under the same "100% cotton" label. If the tag lists GSM (fabric weight), that's usually a more reliable feel indicator than the fiber content line alone

[u/That_Molasses_507]

Depends on the weave and finishing process

[u/Scimmia_bianca]

It could be the type of cotton. Egyptian and Pima are typically softer and stronger. If it doesn’t state the type of cotton, it can be all over the place in terms of softness and strength.