OUR MATERIALS
At COS, we work closely with suppliers to handpick materials with intention – every cloth is meticulously selected for its character, yarn count, fibre length and finish to ensure quality and longevity.
Natural and organic fibres are a priority at COS. We pride ourselves on the quality of our cotton – from T-shirts with a clean, compact finish to our pristine poplin shirts, our yarns are carefully considered and fit for purpose. As well as using organic cotton and working with Regenerative Organic Certified® Cotton, we’re proud, alongside the H&M Group, to invest in pioneering the innovation Materra® Hydroponic Cotton, which is grown with control and care in an indoor environment.
Whether cashmere, wool, cotton or silk, our knitwear is crafted with super fine fibres for a soft feel with staying power. Merino, cashmere and NATIVA™ Regenerative Wool are knitted individually, then hand linked together to create a luxurious tactility.
Explore our material highlights below.
ANIMAL FIBRES
The Good Cashmere Standard® is owned by the Aid by Trade Foundation (AbTF) and sets out requirements on animal welfare, land management and herders’ working conditions.
www.thegoodcashmerestandard.org
NATIVA™ wool is sourced using regenerative practices which comply with animal-welfare standards, including stress-free shearing in line with the Responsible Wool Standard by Textile Exchange. The NATIVA™ Regenerative Agriculture program supports local communities and is designed to improve soil matter and microbiology.
NATIVA™ equips farmers with training and resources to produce high-quality product, including enhanced vegetation, not using chemical fertilisers, reducing tillage and integrating natural fertilisers, such as animal manure.
Products certified to the Responsible Alpaca Standard (RAS TE-00047206) owned by Textile Exchange contain alpaca fibre from farms independently certified to animal welfare and land-management requirements.
Recycled cashmere is cashmere made from textile waste in production or from end-of-life textile waste. The waste is mechanically recycled and spun into new yarn.
Recycled down is made from down and feathers recovered from end-of-life products, such as duvets, pillows or cushions.
Recycled wool is wool made from textile waste in production or from end-of-life textile waste. The waste is mechanically recycled and spun into new yarn.
Products certified to the Responsible Mohair Standard (RMS TE-00047206) owned by Textile Exchange contain mohair fibre from farms independently certified to animal welfare and land-management requirements.
Products certified to the Responsible Wool Standard (RWS TE-00047206) owned by Textile Exchange contain wool fibre from farms independently certified to animal welfare and land-management requirements.
BAST FIBRES
European Flax™ linen is a vegetable fibre grown in Western Europe without the use of irrigation, other than in exceptional circumstances, or genetically modified seeds.
It is produced using a process known as dew retting, a low-intensive process which uses natural exposure to sun, wind and rain, followed by an entirely mechanical process to extract the fibres.
Linen is a soft, strong and breathable natural material made from the flax plant.
Originally derived from flax plants, recycled linen is made from yarn-spinning waste or fabric-cutting leftovers from the production process. The waste is collected, then recycled and spun into new yarn.
COTTON
SOURCED THROUGH BETTER COTTON
The majority of our cotton is sourced through Better Cotton. Better Cotton is a non-profit organisation that helps cotton growers convert to farming practices that offer long-lasting economic, environmental and social benefits, both on their farms and in their local communities.
This type of cotton is sourced via a system of mass balance, meaning cotton from Better Cotton farmers may be mixed with conventional cotton in the manufacturing process. Cotton from this program is therefore not physically traceable. By sourcing through Better Cotton, we are funding a global initiative that enables the organisation’s training to reach more farmers and have a more profound impact.
We're proud to partner with Materra, an award-winning supply chain and technology company. Materra® Hydroponic Cotton is grown in an indoor environment with controlled application of water and nutrients without the need for arable land or conventional irrigation.
Organic cotton is cotton grown without the use of artificial pesticides or fertilisers and contains no genetically modified organisms.
Recycled cotton is cotton made from textile waste in production or from end-of-life textile waste. The waste is mechanically recycled and spun into new yarn.
Compared to conventional cotton farming practices, Regenerative Organic Certified® cotton farms adopt traditional agricultural practices, such as pasture-based systems, organic bio inputs, cover cropping, intercropping and low soil tillage to flourish the biodiversity and restore the health of soil by improving the organic content over time. Healthy soil traps carbon and sequesters it back into the soil. This programme also extend to the humane treatment of animals and social equity through the provision of fair conditions and healthcare for all farmers and workers involved.
LEATHER
As part of the H&M Group, we are pleased to announce our commitment to promoting responsible leather manufacturing practices worldwide as a member of the Leather Working Group (LWG). This includes increased due diligence on the issues of deforestation and animal welfare.
www.leatherworkinggroup.com
MANMADE CELLULOSIC FIBRES
Cupro is a regenerated cellulose fibre made from cotton linter – cotton fibres that are too short to spin. The linter is dissolved, processed and then spun into a new fibre.
Eastman Naia™ cellulosic acetate fibre is made from wood pulp and acetic acid sourced from fossil-based feedstock. The production process is made in a closed-loop system where chemicals are reused.
Eastman Naia™ Renew cellulosic acetate fibre is made from wood pulp and acetic acid sourced from recycled waste materials. The production process is made in a closed-loop system where chemicals are reused.
TENCEL™ Lyocell is a regenerated wood-based fibre made from wood pulp. It is produced in a closed-loop process where chemicals are reused.
TENCEL™ Lyocell x REFIBRA™ is a regenerated cellulose fibre made from recycled cotton production waste and wood pulp. It is produced in a closed-loop process where chemicals are reused.
METALS & GLASS
Our recycled brass jewellery is made from waste metal which is melted and used in production of new items.
Recycled glass is made from broken shards that are put through a heating, cooling and shaping process.
Recycled silver is silver made from metal waste or second-hand sterling silver items which are melted and used in production of new items.
SILK
An alternative to conventional silk, recycled silk is made from pre‐consumer waste which is mechanically recycled and spun into new yarn.
Silk is a delicate, natural protein fibre obtained from the cocoons of silkworms.
SYNTHETICS
Synthetic fabrics such as elastane and polyester often add very functional elements to a garment. For example, adding a small percentage of elastane to cotton jeans will give them a slight stretch – making them less rigid and more comfortable to wear. Or, blending polyamide with wool can help the piece last longer, especially if it’s a product designed to be worn repeatedly, like a winter coat.
We’re aware that blending natural and synthetic fibres makes them harder to break down and recycle into new fabrics. This is something we’re currently exploring with new partners and innovative technologies.
ECONYL® regenerated polyamide is produced through a chemical recycling process where a combination of waste, such as fishing nets, previously used carpets and plastic waste, is transformed back into raw material and then spun into ECONYL® yarn.
Polyamide, also called nylon, is a synthetic fibre made from oil (a fossil resource).
Recycled nylon can be sourced from pre- and post-consumer waste – even things like carpets can be chemically recycled and made into new yarn.
Recycled polyester is polyester made from PET bottles or end-of-life textile waste. The PET bottles or textile waste is mechanically recycled and processed into new yarn.
Polyester padding is known for its down-like properties, retaining heat, even when wet. Chemically recycled from post-consumer waste, it provides a down-free alternative to conventional padding.