There is a specific moment — pulling on a well-worn cotton shirt on a slow Sunday morning, the kind that glides over your skin with almost no resistance — when fabric stops being something you think about and becomes something you feel. Pima cotton is one fabric people seek out for that feeling. A premium variety of extra-long staple cotton, Pima cotton is valued for its softness, and it is one of the natural fibers worth knowing when you choose sleepwear. Grown in places including the U.S. Southwest and Peru, its fibers are longer than those of standard upland cotton. At Eberjey, we've spent 30 years studying what makes a fabric worth sleeping in, and Pima cotton's extra-long fibers are a big part of why it stands out among natural fibers.
What Makes Pima Cotton Different From Regular Cotton?
The single most important distinction between Pima cotton and standard upland cotton is fiber length. Cotton is classified by its staple length — the average length of individual fibers harvested from the cotton boll. Standard upland cotton, the most widely grown type, has a shorter staple. Pima cotton, by contrast, is classified as extra-long staple (ELS) cotton.
That extra length matters in the finished fabric. Supima, the program for American-grown Pima, says its extra-long staple fiber makes Supima cotton inherently softer and twice as strong as regular cotton.
USDA researchers describe Pima's extra-long fibers as giving a satiny look and touch, prized for weaving into high-quality, long-lasting fabric for fine clothing.
Where Does Pima Cotton Come From?
Pima comes from the cotton species Gossypium barbadense. By 1919, according to the USDA, the earlier Yuma variety had been almost entirely displaced by Pima, an American-Egyptian variety grown in the Arizona-California area.
Peru is another source: Eberjey's Organic Pima Cotton pieces are made from 100% Organic Peruvian Pima Cotton.
American-grown Pima cotton, produced in the U.S. Southwest, forms the basis of the Supima program.
Pima Cotton and Supima Cotton: What's the Difference?
This is one of the most common questions shoppers ask, and the answer is reassuringly straightforward. Supima is not a different type of cotton — it is a trademark program for American-grown Pima cotton.
All Supima cotton is Pima cotton, but not all Pima cotton is Supima. Pima cotton grown outside the U.S., such as in Peru, cannot carry the Supima name, because Supima cotton is grown only in the USA. Both are extra-long staple cottons; the distinction is one of origin and trademark.
When shopping, check the fiber content label: "Supima" means American-grown Pima, while "Pima" alone can come from other countries.
Why Pima Cotton Belongs in Your Sleepwear Rotation
Pima cotton is a lovely choice for sleepwear worn close to the skin. Eberjey's Organic Pima Cotton is made from 100% Organic Peruvian Pima Cotton, a fabric as gentle as it is breathable.
At Eberjey, Pima cotton appears in select pajama styles: the Organic Pima Cotton Long PJ Set, Organic Pima Cotton Short PJ Set and Organic Pima Cotton Short Sleeve & Pant PJ Set, each made from 100% organic Pima cotton.
How Pima Cotton Compares to TENCEL™ Modal
Pima cotton and TENCEL™ Modal are both premium natural-origin fibers, both prized for softness and longevity — but they come from different sources and offer slightly different wearing experiences.
Pima cotton is a plant-based natural fiber, grown and harvested from the cotton plant. TENCEL™ Modal is a wood-based cellulosic fiber from Lenzing, made from wood sourced from responsibly managed forests using highly resource-efficient technology with high recovery rates of chemicals. Eberjey's Gisele TENCEL™ Modal Long PJ Set is verified by OEKO-TEX® Standard 100, meaning it has been tested for harmful substances.
In terms of feel, Eberjey describes its TENCEL™ Modal as buttery soft, with a temperature-regulating knit that drapes and falls in all the right ways, and its Organic Pima Cotton as gentle and breathable. Lenzing reports that TENCEL™ Modal fibers have at least 50% lower carbon emissions and water consumption compared to generic modal fibers.
Eberjey's hero Gisele PJ Set is made from TENCEL™ Modal. Select Eberjey styles use Pima cotton — the choice between them comes down to personal preference in weight, texture, and wearing climate.
The Sustainability Story Behind Pima Cotton
Organic Pima cotton is also available. Under USDA organic rules, pests and weeds are managed mainly through farming practices, with synthetic substances allowed only from an approved National List. Eberjey's Organic Pima Cotton PJ sets are made from 100% Organic Peruvian Pima Cotton.
Organic cotton textiles can also be certified to GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard), which covers every step of production from fiber processing and spinning to manufacturing and trading.
How to Care for Pima Cotton So It Lasts
A few simple practices from the care label will extend the life of your pieces.
For Eberjey's Organic Pima Cotton, turn pieces inside out, machine wash cold with like colors on a gentle cycle, and use only non-chlorine bleach when needed. Remove promptly after washing.
Tumble dry low, and use a warm iron as needed. Tended to with a little care, these are pieces you will reach for again and again.
Frequently asked questions
What is Pima cotton?
Pima cotton is an extra-long staple (ELS) cotton grown in places such as Peru and the U.S. Southwest. Its fibers are longer than those of standard upland cotton.
What makes Pima cotton different from regular cotton?
The key difference is fiber length. American Pima fibers are longer than those of American upland cotton, which makes up more than 95% of U.S. production, according to Cotton Incorporated.
What is the difference between Pima and Supima cotton?
Supima is a trademark program for American-grown Pima cotton. All Supima is Pima, but Pima grown elsewhere, such as Peru, does not carry the Supima name. Both are extra-long staple cottons.
Is Pima cotton good for sleepwear?
Yes. Eberjey's Organic Pima Cotton is made from 100% Organic Peruvian Pima Cotton, a fabric as gentle as it is breathable, and it is machine washable.
How does Pima cotton compare to TENCEL™ Modal?
Eberjey describes its Organic Pima Cotton as gentle and breathable, and its TENCEL™ Modal as a buttery soft, temperature-regulating knit. Eberjey's Gisele PJ Set is made in TENCEL™ Modal, and Eberjey's Organic Pima Cotton PJ sets are made from 100% organic Peruvian Pima cotton, so the right choice comes down to the weight and texture you prefer.
Sources
- Cotton Incorporated, “Classification of Cotton – Overview”
- Supima, “World’s Finest Cottons: Brand Guidelines” (PDF)
- USDA Agricultural Research Service (AgResearch Magazine), “Superb New Pima Cottons”
- USDA Bureau of Agricultural Economics, “The American-Egyptian Cotton Situation (1911–52)” (PDF)
- Lenzing, “TENCEL™ Modal”
- OEKO-TEX®, “OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100”
- USDA Agricultural Marketing Service, “Organic”
- Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), “GOTS – How the system works”
