Is bamboo clothing more expensive than cotton
Short answer: Bamboo clothing usually costs more than the cheapest cotton and roughly the same as good cotton. The price per wear depends more on quality than on the fibre, and that is what decides whether a purchase pays off.
Compare the same quality
A cheap cotton t-shirt and a good bamboo viscose t-shirt are not comparable. One is made to be cheap, the other to keep its shape and stay soft for a long time. Compare within the same quality class, and you will often find the price gap is smaller than it first looks.
What the price covers
The price covers yarn, fabric weight, seams and fit. A denser fabric, better yarn and seams that hold cost more to make, but they are what make the clothing last. You cannot see it in a photo, but you feel it after a few months. Read why there is a difference between cheap and expensive bamboo clothing.
Price per wear
A garment worn twice as often is cheaper per wear, even if it cost more in the shop. Divide the price by the number of times you expect to wear it, and you get a fairer figure than the price on the tag. Read more about bamboo and economics.
Multipacks
Buying several of the same lowers the price per piece. It makes most sense for underwear and socks, which you need several of anyway. Each piece is also worn and washed less often, because you have more to rotate. Read about underpants in multipacks.
Where it pays most
The difference shows most in underwear and socks, worn daily and washed often. Here a fabric that keeps its shape and does not turn stiff after washing is a clear advantage. A cheap pair of underpants that loses its shape after a few washes needs replacing sooner. See bamboo underwear for men.
For women
The same goes for women's underwear. Briefs and tops sit against the skin every day, so fabric and fit matter a lot for how long they stay comfortable. Look for elastic covered in fabric and edges that lie flat. See the matching items in bamboo underwear for women.
Care extends the life
Bamboo viscose does not tolerate high heat. Wash at 40 degrees and skip the tumble dryer, and you can extend its life considerably. It is the biggest single factor in the sum, because clothing ruined in the wash never pays for itself. See the washing guide.
What you save
Clothing that lasts longer is bought less often. Work out the price per wear and the sum looks different from the price on the tag. A t-shirt that still fits well after many washes is often a better deal than two cheap ones that quickly lose their shape. See bamboo t-shirts for men.
When cheap is enough
Not everything has to be top quality. For clothing you only wear now and then, or for jobs where it gets dirty fast, a cheaper option can be fine. Quality pays off most in what you wear every day, close to the skin.
How to judge a purchase
Think about how often you will wear it, how long it should last and how you will wash it. Feel the fabric, check the seams and read the care label before you buy. Then you have what you need to judge whether the higher price makes sense for you.
Frequently asked questions
Is bamboo clothing more expensive than cotton?
It costs more than the cheapest cotton but is roughly on a level with good cotton. Always compare within the same quality class before you judge the price.
Is bamboo clothing worth buying?
That depends on how much you wear it and how you wash it. Clothing that is worn often and lasts a long time becomes cheap per wear over time.
How do I make the clothing last longest?
Wash at 40 degrees, leave out fabric softener and let the clothing air dry. The tumble dryer is the most common reason bamboo clothing loses its shape too early.
See our range of Copenhagen Bamboo.
