Why We Love Australian Cotton

Cotton is everywhere. Seriously, everywhere. If you were to look at the product care tags in your wardrobe or linen cupboard, we bet you’d find a whole lot of cotton. Plant-derived, endlessly versatile and reliable, cotton is the most widely used natural fibre in the world — and not without good reason.

Being in the business of comfort for as long as we have, we’ve worked with our fair share of cotton. We’re always searching for fibres and processes that not only look and feel beautiful, but help to do better for our planet and our communities.

All of this brings us to our new Aven Australian Cotton collection — a meeting of Australian cotton terry and quality craftsmanship, wrapped up in some irresistibly comfy offerings. It’s a collection we’re thrilled to bring to life, and we want to share the excitement with you. So, without further ado, here are a few of our favourite benefits of Australian cotton.

Farmed and ginned in Australia, wrapping yourself in Australian cotton is not only cosy, but it’s a little piece of home. It’s a natural fibre that’s currently grown in 18 regions across four states and territories of Australia, mainly in central and southern Queensland and northern, central and southern New South Wales.

With a large network of cotton farming communities across Australia — and 90% of farms being family owned — choosing Australian cotton not only connects us to our surroundings, but supports local Aussie farmers across the country.

In our ongoing endeavour to Make Tomorrow Beautiful, we’re always searching for ways to minimise our impact on the planet. We’re becoming more conscious of our fibre selection and usage — from hand-feel to durability, to overall impact on our environment.

According to Cotton Australia, the Australian cotton industry is “leading the way in sustainable cotton production”, with goals and systems in place to improve water use and land use efficiency, minimise the use of pesticides, and reduce emissions to help work towards a carbon neutral future.

Our work with Cotton Australia on the Circular Cotton Project is just one example of how we can reshape our impact. What is circularity, you might be wondering? It’s the idea of renewing and regenerating resources (in this case, cotton) rather than letting them go to waste. 

The project’s hope is to provide evidence for a large-scale circular solution for 100% cotton textile products in Australia, which are naturally biodegradable, renewable and recyclable. 

The Australian cotton industry’s myBMP (translation: Best Management Practices) program seeks to provide Australian cotton farmers with the tools they need to create a more ethical, sustainable product — with over 80% of farmers participating in the program and around 20% achieving full certification.

These improved management practices, along with improvements in harvesting and ginning technology, provide Australian cotton farmers with resources to help deliver a quality product — so that you and I can sit back in our beloved bathrobes and relax.

We’ve said it before, and we’re saying it again — quality is our obsession. Before ending up in your home, careful thought and consideration go into every Sheridan design. Like testing our towels way (seriously, way) beyond industry standards, we’re willing to do what it takes to make sure our pieces will stick around to be enjoyed for years to come.

According to Cotton Australia, “Australia produces very high quality cotton, sought after by markets throughout the world”. Offering premium quality and strength, these fibres provide us with an end product like our Aven Australian Cotton Towels that feel sumptuously soft, absorbent and oh-so cosy. And the best part? We’re confident that with the correct care, they’ll stay that way for a long time.

When you’re on the search for your perfect bath towel or robe, few things rank above comfort. Although, if you value aesthetics just as much (no judgement here), you’re in luck. Our Aven towels are available in a collection of stylish seasonal shades, and our Aven robe features a relaxed-cool silhouette that’s equal parts comfy and chic. Like the great Hannah Montana once said, you get the best of both worlds. 

We’ve already mentioned that our Aven Australian Cotton collection is wonderfully soft (you really have to feel it to believe it), but it also features a mid-weight feel that’s just right. Imagine the Goldilocks of towels — not too heavy and not too light, Aven lands perfectly in the middle. Whether you’re wrapping yourself in an Aven bath towel after a shower or slipping on an Aven robe when making your morning coffee, it’s just weighty enough to feel like a cosy hug.