Kala Cotton: A New Favourite in Sustainability

Word is out that the world's favorite fiber, Cotton does not favor the environment. Statistics prove that if you are to cultivate a kilo of cotton, you would be needing as much as 20,000 liters of water - which is equivalent to the total estimate of water consumed by an individual over a couple of months. 

Does that mean we must stop wearing our favorite clothing fiber? 

The answer is..No. Because, we have alternatives, but unfortunately we tend to overlook them. Although we have comprehensively discussed some of the finest sustainable fabrics before, we wanted to highlight this particular piece of fabric, as it is prudent enough to completely replace the "American Cotton". 

What is  Kala Cotton? How it is grown?

Back in the 1940s, American Upland Cotton was very uncommon in India. At that time it was Indian "Desi" Cotton that was being harvested the most. Research suggests a ratio of 97 to 3 - almost 97% of cotton being of Indian "Desi" descend.

As a matter of fact, historians speculate the Desi Cotton to be one of the biggest trade exports to Britain at the time of colonization. Even before that, there are pieces of evidence of Greeks and Romans traveling to India for buying the Cotton dresses. They loved it so much that they traded it for spices. 

However, the tides have changed, and nowadays both people and cotton farmers prefer American Upland. The reason being the softness and the yield it produces. The downside is its impact on the environment. Upland cotton requires plenty of water and pesticides.

Indian "Desi" Cotton, on the other hand, is more sustainable and requires limited water resources - often rain-fed. Also known as the Wagad Cotton, Kala Cotton is one of the said "Desi" Cotton Varieties. Indigenous to Kutch, the cotton lost its charm when American Cotton was preferred. But, reviving it has become our last resort. 

The revival of Kala Cotton  would mean more (carbon neutral) cotton for lesser water. This is possible because of the way the cotton is grown. Farmers of the Kutch prefer their cotton to be rain-fed, thereby eliminating the water for irrigation purposes. Then, the unique quality of Kala fabric to be resilient to pests gives the royalty of using fewer pesticides, manure, and artificial fertilizers. In addition to keeping the fabric eco-friendly, the limited use of pesticides offers farmers a safer environment to work around. 

What can be done with Kala Cotton - Styling Tips

Despite the limited resources it demands, the fabric has top-notch quality. It is strong, durable, and stretchable - some of the key characteristics that the majority of us would want in our clothes.

It is not just the quality but also the sense of satisfaction that the dress you wear for work is not causing any harm to society. Not just for work, you can style Kala Cotton in many ways.

To give you a headstart, here are some of our suggestions:

1. Tunics

Starting the list with the very dress that the Romans and Greeks traded their spices for - Tunic. This loose-fitting garment is a perfect choice for the scorching summer Sun.

The tunic comes with a diverse set of choices. You can wear a belt along with it, or you could match it with shrunken jeans - preferably Eco-friendly denim. You could even pair it with your slender bottom to make it a perfect summer dress. 

2. Jumpsuits

It is about time to update your fashion if you still wear pants and shirts as a two-piece garment. In 2020, we preferred convenience over anything. If this is to be carried forward to 2021, then Jumpsuits will be your best friend. What's better than wearing one that flaunts the characteristics of Kala Cotton? If a Jumpsuit is not fashionable enough, upgrade it to a Romper. The only difference here would be the effort of stitching together - and not having the advantage of the one-piece silhouette that a Jumpsuit offers. Nonetheless, both are perfect for all body types and can be paired with anything and everything from Sneakers to Designer heels!   

3. Kurta

We have been talking about the Desi stuff, but we forgot the most desi thing in a hurry. The dress that catapulted the prowess of Kala Cotton across India, Kurtas showcases the heritage of Indian Clothing.

Adding Kala Cotton to the equation will only enhance the experience. Having it embellished will set you up for the forthcoming festivals. Pomp and joyous Indian festivals are better with Kurta - imparting a celebratory vibe! 

4. Jackets

This is far from being Desi, but we can't deny the fact that Kala Cotton would look great if you can make a Kimono Jacket out of it! Styling it would be easy, as the Kala Cotton is known for taking up the dye very well.

The softness of the fabric will compliment well, and hence a perfect choice for making the Kimono. Not just the Kimono, it can also be used for any variant of Jacket, in general.

5. Shirts

The durability of Kala Cotton will come in handy for designing Shirts and Tops. We would recommend it for office wear as you would be spending almost 9 hours with the same dress on.

At that point, the soft and durable character of Kala cotton will not only comfort you without letting you sweat but would also allow the dress to sustain for a prolonged period. 

 ...

Maintaining ecological integrity has become a necessity. That's why we consider Sustainable fashion as something more than just a movement - but a responsibility.

To pledge our adherence, our inventory is packed with Sustainable fabric. Kala Cotton is one of our prized possessions. Not only because of its built, but the response we received from our customers. To cater to a wider audience, we have a new batch of Kala Cotton in our collection.

You can check it out here. Happy Shopping!