Pima cotton
An extra-long staple cotton variety grown in the American Southwest, Peru, and Egypt. The generic version of the trademarked Supima.
Pima cotton is a botanical variety (Gossypium barbadense) cultivated for its extra-long staple fibers — typically 35–50% longer than standard upland cotton. The fibers spin into yarns that are stronger, smoother, and produce fabrics that pill less and hold color better.
The terminology is confusing on purpose. "Supima" is a trademark held by American Pima farmers; the variety is the same. Egyptian cotton at the high end is also Pima — Gossypium barbadense — grown in the Nile valley. Peruvian Pima is a separate but similar long-staple cultivar. All produce premium cotton; the marketing labels mostly track origin.
The practical advantage over standard cotton is real: a Pima tee at the same GSM will feel softer, look smoother (less surface fuzz), and resist pilling longer. But quality of construction matters more than the cotton variety. A poorly-knit 140 GSM Pima tee feels worse than a well-knit 220 GSM standard cotton tee.
Use Pima as one signal among many — alongside GSM, country of manufacture, and brand reputation. By itself it's a marketing flag, not a guarantee.
GSM
Grams per square meter — the standard unit for fabric weight. Higher GSM = heavier, denser, often more durable.
Supima cotton
A trademarked branding for American-grown extra-long staple cotton (ELS). Stronger, softer, and more durable than standard upland cotton.
Oxford cloth
A basket-weave cotton fabric — two yarns woven together as one — producing a soft, slightly textured surface common in casual button-downs.