We all love dressing up our kids in those Spiderman tees, bright Captain America logos, or the million other graphics that make us reach for hosiery clothing for our little superheroes. But when these active movers come home after a two-hour outdoor play session in 30 plus degree heat, with their tees completely soaked in sweat, it does make you wonder - couldn't their clothes be a little more breathable, light, natural and airy?
Here comes Indian cotton - the fabric our great-grandmothers and generations before them relied on to beat the heat, long before air conditioners became a part of everyday life.
Lift a hosiery T-shirt and shorts set in one hand and a pure cotton shirt and shorts in the other. You probably don't need to use much of your grey matter to figure out which one may feel better for the little ones you care about more than your life.
100% cotton is breathable and comfortable in warm weather. It allows air to move through the fabric and, being a natural fibre, is also gentle on the skin - something worth considering when children spend hours in their clothes every day.
But comfort isn't just about the fabric. Kids need clothes that allow them to move freely. Whether they are climbing, playing cricket, sitting on the floor, riding their little cycles or simply being their wonderfully restless selves, their clothes shouldn't get in the way. In hot and humid weather, lightweight cotton clothing can help kids feel more comfortable through the day. Easy, relaxed fits, practical pockets and fuss-free designs can make everyday dressing even simpler.
At Dilkari, we believe children's clothes should work around childhood - not the other way around. That's why we choose 100% cotton for our kidswear, paired with playful prints and comfortable designs made for little people who are always on the move.
The popular notion around cotton vs. hosiery
With our fascination for fancy and modern fabrics, hosiery has become an increasingly popular choice, especially in kidswear. Cotton, on the other hand, can sometimes seem too simple, too ordinary or even too “local” for today's parents.
But perhaps simple isn't such a bad thing.
Generations of Indians have turned to cotton to get through our heat. Even the freedom movement embraced khadi as a powerful symbol of self-reliance and Indian identity. And while today's cotton clothes may look very different from the khadi of those days, the fabric's relevance to our climate hasn't disappeared.
India's heat and humidity aren't going anywhere. So why should a fabric that is breathable, comfortable and naturally suited to our climate?
POV: Hosiery is much cheaper to manufacture than cotton.
With modern cord-sets and relaxed kidswear making their way back into wardrobes, cotton doesn't have to mean boring or old-fashioned. You can have the comfort of cotton and still have the fun prints, colours and styles that make kids' clothes exciting.
Because childhood is already full of enough rules. Their clothes don't need to add to them. So when you're choosing clothes for your child this summer, look beyond how they look on the hanger.
Sometimes, keeping kids comfortable is as simple as choosing the right fabric.