FabricIQ
Reading the label…
Recycled Cotton
C
Cotton fiber reclaimed from garment scraps or post-consumer textiles. Reduces waste and water usage compared to virgin cotton.
Material Score Breakdown
Material-quality rubric (6 axes), not a garment verdict — see disclosure below. Sustainability is a separate Eco score, shown apart.
62/100
DurabilityWeak45
How long the fabric lasts with regular use
ComfortAbove-average72
Softness, feel against skin, wearability
BreathabilityAbove-average78
Air flow and ventilation
WarmthWeak42
Heat retention and insulation
Moisture WickingPoor38
Ability to pull sweat away from skin
Care EaseAbove-average70
How easy it is to wash, dry, and maintain
Sustainability (separate Eco score)
SustainabilityAbove-average82
Environmental impact of production and disposal
Brands using recycled cotton
8 brands have products in our catalog whose composition contains recycled cotton. Sorted by how many garments they offer with this fiber.
Pangaia
65 products
Old Navy
53 products
Outland Denim
30 products
Patagonia
16 products
Universal Works
8 products
Faherty
7 products
Cinq a Sept
5 products
House of Blanks
4 products
Brand grade = average overall score across all of their products containing recycled cotton.
Products with recycled cotton
See all →Top-scored garments in our catalog whose composition contains recycled cotton. Click through for the full quality + health + eco breakdown.
Outland DenimB
Mia Jean Nights
94% Organic Cotton, 5% Recycled Cotton, 1% Elastane
$249
Outland DenimB
Zoe Jean Harbour
94% Organic Cotton, 5% Recycled Cotton, 1% Elastane
$249
Outland DenimB
Ellie Jean Essence
94% Organic Cotton, 5% Recycled Cotton, 1% Elastane
$249
Outland DenimB
Cindy Jean Laguna
94% Organic Cotton, 5% Recycled Cotton, 1% Elastane
$215
Outland DenimB
Mia Cuffed Belted Jean Liberty
94% Organic Cotton, 5% Recycled Cotton, 1% Elastane
$269
Outland DenimB
Ellie Jean 32" Liberty
94% Organic Cotton, 5% Recycled Cotton, 1% Elastane
$225
Outland DenimB
NEW | Zoe Jean Nights
94% Organic Cotton, 5% Recycled Cotton, 1% Elastane
$215
Outland DenimB
Elise Jean 31" Tide
94% Organic Cotton, 5% Recycled Cotton, 1% Elastane
$215
Outland DenimB
Ellie Jean 32" Drift
94% Organic Cotton, 5% Recycled Cotton, 1% Elastane
$225
Outland DenimB
NEW | Zoe Jean Laguna
94% Organic Cotton, 5% Recycled Cotton, 1% Elastane
$215
Banana RepublicB
Slim Authentic Denim
94% Organic Cotton, 5% Recycled Cotton, 1% Elastane
$130
Outland DenimB
NEW | Zoe Jean Liberty
94% Organic Cotton, 5% Recycled Cotton, 1% Elastane
$215
What this score doesn't measure
This is a material rating, not a verdict on any specific garment made from recycled cotton. The axes above are research-backed averages for the fiber itself.
- ×Construction. Yarn staple length, weave / knit structure, stitch count, finishing. Identical fiber, very different garments.
- ×Fabric weight (GSM). A 140 GSM tee and a 220 GSM tee made of the same recycled cotton feel and last very differently.
- ×Dye + finishing chemicals. Beyond the three we flag (PFAS, formaldehyde, antimony), dozens of textile finishes aren't modelled.
Best For
🌱Sustainable Fashion
ExcellentExcellent sustainability (82) and biodegradable — great eco choice
👕Everyday Casual
GoodGood comfort (72) and care ease (70) for casual wear
😴Sleepwear
GoodGood comfort (72) and breathability (78) for sleeping
🩲Underwear
GoodGood breathability (78) and comfort (72) for undergarments
Detailed Use Case Scores
everyday72
Pros
- ✓ Reduces textile waste
- ✓ Lower water and energy usage
- ✓ Biodegradable
- ✓ Familiar cotton feel
Cons
- ✗ Shorter fiber length means less durability
- ✗ Often blended with virgin fibers
- ✗ Color options limited by source material
- ✗ Can pill more easily
Better alternatives
Higher-scored natural materials. Same category — what to consider instead.
VicuñaA
+30 vs Recycled Cotton · 92/100
BiodegradableThe rarest and most expensive animal fiber in the world, from the vicuña of the Andes. Finer than cashmere, incredibly soft, warm, and lightweight. A single coat yields only 250g of usable fiber every 2-3 years.
Merino WoolA
+24 vs Recycled Cotton · 86/100
BiodegradableUltra-fine wool from Merino sheep. Softer and less itchy than regular wool, with excellent temperature regulation and moisture management.
Sea Island CottonB
+20 vs Recycled Cotton · 82/100
BiodegradableExtra-long-staple cotton historically grown in the West Indies (Barbados, Jamaica) and Sea Islands of Georgia/South Carolina. Among the rarest commercial fibers on earth — staple length up to 2.5", silky hand feel, intense color saturation when dyed. Used in heritage luxury shirting and bespoke menswear.
Care Guide
Washwarm (40°C)
Cycledelicate
Detergentregular
BleachOxygen only
Drytumble medium
Ironmedium
Dry Cleanavoid
SoftenerOK
Special Notes
• Shorter fibers — gentler wash extends life
Additional Care Tips
- • Machine wash cold (30°C/85°F) on gentle cycle — recycled fibers are shorter and more fragile
- • Tumble dry on low heat or line dry to extend garment life
- • Iron on medium heat with steam if needed for wrinkles
- • Handle gently — avoid harsh wringing which can break the shorter recycled fibers
- • Avoid bleach; use mild detergent to preserve fiber integrity
- • Store folded; care is similar to regular cotton but gentler treatment extends lifespan
Cost
$$$$$
Budget-friendly
Shrinkage
May shrink 2-5% — wash cold
Eco Rating
Strong environmental credentials