The Unbeatable Benefits of Authentic Peruvian Pima Cotton
Cotton is one of the most popular and commonly worn fabrics all over the world. It has been used for centuries and is loved for its soft and fluffy texture. Its versatility makes it widely adopted to make products that can range from apparel to home goods. Cotton that is grown commercially comes in several varieties. And among them probably the most known ones are Egyptian cotton, Upland cotton, and Pima Cotton.
What is Pima Cotton?
Pima Cotton is considered as “the gold standard” of the category. And basically, is the world’s finest and best quality of cotton, prized for its exceptional benefits. It comes from a small tree with bright yellow flowers that yields unusually long staple cotton fibers. Therefore, it can be used to create a luxuriously soft fabric that's pill-resistant, incredibly strong, and often more wrinkle-resistant than cotton fabrics made from lesser upland cotton. Only 3% of all cotton grown worldwide is of the Pima variety, so it’s rarer and much more expensive than regular cotton.
Why is Pima Cotton considered as “Long Staple”?
“Staple” in cotton terminology refers to the length of the individual cotton fibers. Longer staples mean the cotton is of higher quality. Pima cotton fibers typically range from 1.4 to 2 inches in length, whereas regular cotton fibers are usually under 1.1 inches long.
Where does Pima Cotton come from?
Historically, Pima cotton is linked to ancient cotton cultivars grown in South America, of the specific cotton plant known as Gossypium Barbadense, particularly in areas of present-day Peru. Curiously though, its name doesn’t come from Peru or Spanish language. Pima cotton fabric is named after a group of Native American Indians called the Pima, which are primarily based in Central Arizona and in Northern Mexico. And it wasn’t until the Pima Indians were the first to start cultivating in the United States the same plant from Peru, that therefore the Pima name was adopted to refer to the variety.
How is ‘Peruvian’ Pima Cotton different that other Pima Cotton?
The specific soil & climate combinations found in the Andean region in Peru give their cotton a performance boost – yielding cotton fibers on the longer (softer, stronger) spectrum of the extra-long staple (ELS) universe. Peruvian pima cotton is considered as the best in the world and is recognized for its luxurious look and feel. It offers unparalleled comfort, making it a preferred choice for premium garments.
Is Pima Cotton the same as Supima cotton?
Supima is Pima cotton, but not all Pima cotton is Supima. Supima cotton is actually a branded name for Pima cotton. Supima®, which is a portmanteau of "superior" and "Pima,” is a registered trademark used by cotton growers in the US.
So, Peruvian Pima and Supima are the same quality?
Truth be told, Peruvian Pima cotton often surpasses out Supima cotton in quality and is purer than its US cousin. While the fibers are nearly identical, in Peru, the Pima cotton is harvested by hand, not by machine as in the US. Hand harvesting in Peru ensures that almost none of the fiber is damaged in the process, and that only the best quality is used. When machines are used, sometimes they slightly degrade the quality & strength of the cotton fibers.
Luxurious & Smooth
Due to the higher-quality and extra longer stable fibers, Peruvian Pima cotton is woven into a softer, smoother, silkier, and finer fabric. This results in a luxurious feel against the skin, with incredible softness and richness of texture that offers unparalleled comfort.
Stronger & Durable
The long fibers also impart more strength to the fabric, making textiles made from Peruvian Pima cotton 30% stronger than those of regular cotton, and more resistant to fraying, tearing, pill, wear, fading, and wrinkling. It's a well-known feature of Pima Cotton that the fibers will change when washed, but instead of deteriorating they simply become softer. They sustain their color and shape through multiple washes and remain wearable and fine looking for years.
Our DC2® signature men’s Polo Shirts are made with authentic Peruvian Pima cotton for unparalleled quality and maximum comfort. They are softer, stronger, and easier to maintain than other varieties of Polo Shirts from other brands.