What Is Organic Clothing?

What Is Organic Clothing?

A Real-World Guide to What It Actually Means

When I first came across the term “organic clothing,” I’ll admit I wasn’t totally sure what made a t-shirt organic. I knew about organic food, but clothes? As it turns out, it’s not just a marketing buzzword — organic clothing is a real thing, and the more I learned, the more it made sense to me as a better choice for our skin, our kids, and the planet. Choosing natural fibres was a no brainer.

Here’s what I’ve learned — and what I wish more people knew.

So, What Exactly Is Organic Clothing?

In simple terms, organic clothing is made from materials that are grown and processed without toxic chemicals or harmful farming practices. We're talking about natural fibres like cotton, wool, hemp, and linen that are cultivated using natural methods — no synthetic pesticides, no genetically modified seeds, and no chemical fertilisers.

But it doesn’t stop at the farm. For clothing to be truly organic, the production process also needs to follow eco-friendly practices. That means safer dyes, better water treatment, fair working conditions, and minimal environmental impact overall.

Examples of Organic Fabrics

You’ve probably seen these around:

  • Organic cotton – the most common and widely available

  • Organic wool – from sheep raised without chemical treatments

  • Organic linen – made from flax, a super low-impact crop

  • Organic hemp – naturally pest-resistant and durable

Why Do Certifications Matter?

Because let’s be honest — “organic” can mean different things to different people. That’s where third-party certifications come in. They act as quality control and give shoppers like us some confidence that the claims on the label actually mean something.

1. GOTS – Global Organic Textile Standard

If you’re only going to remember one certification, make it GOTS. It’s the gold standard.
To get GOTS certified, a product has to:

  • Contain at least 70% organic natural fibres

  • Be processed without harmful chemicals like formaldehyde or heavy metals

  • Meet strict rules around water use and waste

  • Be produced in facilities with safe working conditions

This is the one I personally look for first, especially for anything going directly on the skin — like baby onesies or t-shirts.

👉 https://global-standard.org

2. OEKO-TEX® Standard 100

This one isn’t about whether something is organic, but whether it’s free from harmful substances. It tests the final product for chemicals like lead, formaldehyde, and phthalates — stuff you definitely don’t want in your clothes.

It’s particularly useful when buying products that aren’t certified organic but still claim to be “safe.”

👉 https://www.oeko-tex.com

3. OCS – Organic Content Standard

The OCS certification tracks how much organic material is in a product — helpful for blended fabrics. It doesn’t look at how the product was made or whether the working conditions were fair, but it does confirm that your t-shirt really does contain organic cotton.

👉 https://textileexchange.org

4. USDA Organic

This one is usually used to certify organic cotton farming in the US. It guarantees that the farming methods meet national organic standards but doesn’t apply to how the fibre is turned into clothing.

👉 https://www.usda.gov/topics/organic

5. ACO – Australian Certified Organic

For those of us in Australia, ACO is the most recognised local certification. It looks at soil health, crop rotation, GMO avoidance, and more. Just like USDA Organic, this certifies the growing stage, not the entire clothing production process.

👉 https://aco.net.au

What Makes Organic Clothing Different to Wear?

Aside from the environmental stuff, there’s something about wearing organic cotton that just feels better. It’s softer, gentler, and tends to hold up longer — especially when it’s not loaded with chemical softeners or synthetic finishes.

If you’ve got a baby with sensitive skin (like mine did), organic cotton can make a noticeable difference. No itchy seams. No mystery rashes. Just comfy, breathable clothes that feel good to dress them in.

Final Thoughts

Going fully organic with your wardrobe isn’t always realistic, I get it. But even swapping out a few basics, like baby clothes, pyjamas, or everyday tees, can be a great step. And now that I know what those certification labels actually mean, I feel more confident choosing better options for my family and the planet.

At the end of the day, organic clothing is about more than the clothes. It’s about the people who grow the natural fibres, the conditions in the factories, and the long-term impact we’re having on the world our kids will grow up in.

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