Organic cotton costs a little more, but it’s far better for the planet as it is free from chemicals and pesticides that harm water supplies and wildlife (and farmers who grow the cotton – they also don’t have to wear uncomfortable protective clothing if farming organically). As the fibres have not been treated by chemicals, they tend to last longer too, which means garments are more cost-effective long-term. This organic beanie is from Freedom for Animals, with profits helping to support their work helping bored and abused animals in zoos and circuses.
organic cotton beanies from Isle of Wight
Rapanui (Isle of Wight) is a sustainable fashion brand that makes lovely organic cotton jumpers and shirts. Everything is made with green energy and sent in plastic-free packaging. But what’s even better is that the offcuts are not thrown away. Instead, they are used to make these super-warm and fashionable beanie hats for women and men.
In various colours, the beanie hats are very soft to keep you toasty on chilly days, due to a chunky ribbed weave that is shaped to flex to whatever size your head is. And when it eventually wears out, you just send it back and they turn it into something new! Note the grey beanie does not feature the Rapanui logo.
Organic cotton is just as warm as wool, so why not give it a go? Although sheep do need shearing to avoid over-heating, falling over (right one up if you see it upside down or it will die) and to see predators, the wool industry has many issues. Some sheep are sheared too early (leading to hypothermia) and others suffer ‘mulesling’ (chunks of skin sliced to prevent flystrike, without painkillers). And many are killed as they age, and wool production slows.
