Here at Pepa & Co. we always strive to use the best quality materials possible and one of our favourites is Pima Cotton. To celebrate the launch of our new newborn collection, which is crafted from soft pima cotton, we take a deeper look at this incredible material.

What is Peruvian Pima Cotton?

Peruvian Pima Cotton or Gossypium Barbadense, is a higher-end type of cotton with a longer fibre than conventional cotton. It has a reputation for producing a smooth fabric that’s soft to the touch, wrinkle-resistant, and ultra-durable. The silky lustre and extreme softness result from the ideal conditions in the northern coastal valleys of Peru, where it soaks up the right amount of moisture at perfect equatorial temperatures.

Harvested entirely by hand

Unlike other cotton crops, Peruvian Pima cotton is harvested completely by hand. Not only is harvesting by hand more environmentally friendly, but it’s better for the cotton crop itself. Whereas industrial harvesting tears the cotton fibres, giving it a yellowed tone and creates a scratchy texture that affects the softness of the final product. The careful hand harvesting of Peruvian Pima cotton, however, results in a brilliant white colour of the whole cotton, which dyes wonderfully and feels smooth and soft against the skin.

Why should you choose it?

One attribute of Pima cotton that consumers love is its resistance to pilling. With most types of cotton, pills, which are tiny balls of tangled fibre, start to appear on clothing after around 10 washes. Pima cotton, however, hardly ever pills due to its long fibres, which means that garments made from this textile stay wearable for years and years. Did you know it is estimated that Pima cotton has a 50% longer life expectancy than other cotton products?

Alongside its characteristic of extraordinary fineness, it is also extremely soft, producing unique sensations of comfort and warmth when in contact with skin – which is why it is the ideal material for sensitive newborn skin.

Things that make Peruvian Pima Cotton stand apart from ordinary cotton:

• It is softer and more absorbent when compared to other kinds of cotton.
• It is grown in coastal Peru which creates the best quality Pima cotton in the world.
• Its extra-long staple length makes Peruvian Pima cotton soft, durable, and highly resistant to pilling.
• Eco-friendly hand-harvesting results in brilliant white fibres that dye beautifully and are free from scratchy impurities.
• It is perfect for people who suffer from allergies or those with sensitive skin.

Our newborn range

Recently, we launched our new Pima Cotton newborn range which features everything you need for your new arrival including bibs, all-in-ones and mittens. The beautiful qualities mentioned above are why Pepa & Co. choose to craft these special styles in the softest of materials – your newborn will thank you for it.