LUBBOCK, Texas — In Texas, cotton is sometimes considered king. Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller, who oversees the state’s vast farming industry, often said, “farmers want everybody to wear cotton here in Texas. It’s our number one crop. You know we have seven million acres of cotton.”

But while cotton has long been a staple in fashion, the rise of cheap, mass-produced clothing—known as fast fashion—has led many consumers to buy cheaper, synthetic fabrics. However, there’s now a growing push to return to more natural fibers like cotton, wool and mohair.

Many people have been choosing synthetic fabrics like polyester because they’re inexpensive, but some experts say that comes with environmental costs. “There’s a push to get away from the synthetics and go back to more natural fibers,” said Commissioner Miller. And it’s not just about comfort—it’s about the environment too.

When we wash synthetic fabrics, Miller says they shed tiny plastic particles that end up in our waterways, harming the environment. These materials can reportedly take hundreds of years to break down. Cotton is a natural fiber that breaks down in just a few months in water.

Jeremy Brown, an organic cotton farmer, believes that if consumers chose cotton over synthetics, it could have a big impact on the industry.

“If people understood the benefits of cotton, they’d see it’s a natural, sustainable choice compared to polyester and other synthetics,” Brown explained.

Kody Bessent of Plains Cotton Growers also emphasized the environmental benefits of cotton.

“When synthetic fibers are washed, some of that material ends up in our rivers and oceans, which can harm wildlife,” Bessent said. He and many others believe that switching to natural fibers like cotton could help reduce the harm caused by synthetic fabrics.

Switching to cotton also supports the economy in Texas. In Texas, cotton farming is a major economic driver, particularly in the South Plains.

Bessent points out, “The more people consume cotton-based products, the more it helps support the agricultural industry and local businesses.”