8 BEST ORGANIC COTTON SHORTS TO UPGRADE YOUR SUMMER LOOK SUSTAINABLY

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This blog post is all about the best organic cotton shorts for women & men! 

Shorts are probably the most versatile bottoms one can wear during the warmer months!

Unlike pants, which are too warm, and skirts, which are more tricky to wear if we have an active lifestyle, shorts can be worn for all sorts of occasions. 

However, not all shorts are created equal.

Choosing a pair that looks good, feels comfortable, and is made with quality and the planet in mind can be challenging. 

That’s where organic shorts come in!

They’re breathable, often more durable, and offer a more sustainable alternative without sacrificing comfort or style.

In this article, I’ve rounded up the 8 best organic cotton shorts for women and men (you’ll even find options for kids!).

I’ve made sure to include brands carrying lots of different styles, sizes, and price points. 

From organic yoga shorts to sleep shorts to pieces you can wear every day, I have you covered! 

This blog post contains affiliate links which means that if you buy something through such links, I will get a small commission without any extra cost for you. Please read my Disclosure for more details. 

Why buy organic cotton shorts?

Most brands make shorts using unsustainable materials such as polyester or other kinds of synthetic fabric. 

The problem with those is that not only are they not breathable at all, but they’re also very detrimental to the environment. 

Their fabric is derived from petroleum, an industry that massively contributes to pollution and climate change. 

It’s also not biodegradable and sheds thousands of microplastics every time we wash it. 

Synthetic shorts are also usually mass-produced in unethical factories, where workers aren’t provided with fair wages and working conditions. 

Did I mention that they’re often very poorly made and that they’re designed to only last a couple of seasons at most? 

Now, you might think: yes, but there are tons of shorts made of cotton, so we don’t have to buy those synthetic options. 

Conventional cotton shorts are surely better than polyester ones, as their fabric is biodegradable. 

However, cotton production comes with lots of other environmental impacts.

For instance, cotton is massively sprayed with pesticides and insecticides, which damages the soil and ecosystems and pollutes waterways. 

This is also very dangerous to cotton farmers who are exposed to those toxic chemicals and often cannot afford to buy safety equipment. 

On the contrary, organic cotton is grown without synthetic pesticides and fertilizers.

The natural methods used in organic farming promote healthy soils that help store carbon and thus combat climate change.

Thriving soils also act like sponges, meaning that in case of floods, they soak up the water, and when there’s a drought, they can hold water for longer. 

Since pesticides aren’t used in organic cotton production, ecosystems and waterways stay healthy and free of pollutants. 

Plus, organic farmers are healthier and they usually grow other crops alongside cotton, so they have access to a richer food supply!

Not to mention that organic farming often supports fair labor practices and that brands tend to make better quality products. 

What to look for when shopping for organic cotton shorts?

If you’re looking for organic cotton shorts, try to buy from brands that received the GOTS certification to ensure the cotton is organically grown, traceable, and processed responsibly. 

I also recommend clothing carrying the OEKO-TEX certification, which guarantees that the fabric is free of harmful chemicals. 

Another thing to consider is how transparent and sustainable the brand is. 

Buy from companies that disclose where their products are made and that make sure their workers are provided with fair wages and safe working conditions. 

Always prefer brands that have implemented eco-friendly practices throughout their supply chain and prioritize durability. 

Also, stay away from fast fashion and mass-produced shorts, even if they’re advertised as organic.

Just because those are made with a better material doesn’t mean that they’re a sustainable and ethical option.  

If you can find them, support brands that color their clothes using low-impact, non-toxic dyes. 

Lastly, I always prefer buying from brands that offset their carbon footprint and give back to nonprofits.

Most on this list do at least one of the two! 

Read more: 

• How to make your wardrobe more sustainable?
• 15 sustainable clothing brands for an ethical & eco-friendly wardrobe

8 best organic cotton shorts to upgrade your summer look sustainably

1. Pact

For: Women & Men

Pact organic shorts perfectly balance function and fashion, featuring pockets, comfortable waistbands or drawcord waists, and elevated details. 

Women can choose from many different styles, colors, and sizes ranging from XXS to 3XL.

For men, the brand has a pair of midweight weekender shorts, which are a great polished alternative to cargo shorts. 

Pact organic shorts are all made from GOTS-certified organic cotton (there are multiple 100% organic cotton shorts!) in a Fair Trade-certified factory.

So we know they’re made ethically and with the environment in mind. 

The company is also carbon-neutral, meaning that it offsets the carbon footprint of every single one of its products! 

2. Eileen Fisher

For: Women

Eileen Fisher offers different kinds of organic cotton sleep shorts as well as walking shorts and pieces that are perfect for everyday wear. 

For those with a more active lifestyle, it has sporty, stretchy shorts made from organic pima cotton and with practical side pockets. 

The brand’s collection features different textures, including a gauzy double weave that creates a rippled texture for a light and relaxed look.  

Eileen Fisher is also B Corp certified and works with Fair Trade-certified factories.

To help reduce waste, it even repurposes damaged clothing into unique artworks, decorative objects, and wall hangings! 

3. Alex Crane

For: Men 

Looking for organic cotton shorts for men specifically?

Check out Alex Crane! 

The brand has a great short collection made from sustainable, natural materials such as linen, organic cotton, and Bananatex, a biodegradable fabric made from banana plants. 

If you want 100% organic cotton shorts, choose the Pac Shorts, which have a modern silhouette and are suitable for various occasions.

You can easily dress them down with a t-shirt and sneakers or dress them up by pairing them with a button-down shirt or polo. 

Their fabric is garment-dyed using natural dyes derived from rocks and soil, and washed in biodegradable softeners. 

Alex Crane’s organic shorts are crafted in Portugal and available in four lovely colors! 

4. Harvest & Mill

For: Women & Men 

Harvest & Mill sells different athletic and lounge shorts, all made in the USA with USA-grown organic cotton. 

Both the women’s and the men’s collection feature the same styles, crafted with a super soft jersey fabric and featuring a drawcord waist and two large pockets. 

The brand’s shorts are dyed using either non-toxic, low-impact reactive black or dark indigo blue (from the indigo plant!) or undyed, resulting in a beautiful brownish or rich, creamy white color. 

Harvest & Mill’s entire supply chain is traceable and based in the United States!

It only works with American organic farms, heritage mills, and family-owned factories.

It means that its materials and products travel far shorter distances compared to other brands, and thus generate less carbon emissions. 

To top it all off, the company offsets its entire carbon footprint, uses plastic-free packaging, and has implemented practices to save energy and water!

5. MATE The Label

For: Women & Men 

MATE The Label creates sustainably made clothing using organic, natural fabrics and non-toxic dyes. 

Its organic shorts collection includes everything from organic yoga shorts and lounging pieces to running and biker shorts, to classic styles for everyday wear. 

You can get them in many different colors and a few prints (stripes and gingham patterns). 

MATE’s shorts are made from GOTS-certified organic cotton and are completely free of harmful chemicals such as PFAS, BPA, and formaldehyde. 

The brand also carries the B Corp and Climate Neutral certifications and has a great recycling program.

It even collects all the fabric scraps from its factories and incorporates them into new designs! 

6. Organic Basics (10% off with code GREENWITHLESS)

For: Women & Men 

From organic cotton bike shorts to more casual everyday models to pajama shorts, Organic Basics truly has it all. 

Whether you’re a woman or a man, you can choose from various colors and styles, all made from GOTS-certified organic cotton. 

In the women’s collection, you can get everything from mini, smocked shorts with a fluttered hem for a delicate, feminine look to longline sweat shorts with an adjustable drawstring waist and side pockets. 

I personally have the True Knit Shorts in gray, which are my go-to pair of shorts whenever I want to be extra comfortable and cozy!

They’re super cute and I love their comfy ribbed texture. 

Organic Basics is also a member of 1% For The Planet and I like that it discloses the environmental footprint of each stage of the production process of its products!  

Use the code GREENWITHLESS for 10% off. 

7. Toad & Co

For: Women & Men 

Toad & Co offers various styles of shorts for both men and women, all of which are made from sustainable fabrics like organic cotton. 

You can choose from lots of different silhouettes and designs, such as corduroy models, bike shorts, high-waisted or boyfriend-style pairs, and more.

Not to mention all the options in the men’s collection! 

Toad & Co makes them from organic cotton certified Standard 100 by OEKO-TEX, meaning that the fabric doesn’t contain any harmful chemicals. 

Plus, you get to choose from a rich color palette and some of the shorts even feature a gorgeous pattern!

Did I mention that the brand is a member of 1% For The Planet and that it donates a portion of every order to a nonprofit? 

8. Pangaia

For: Women, Men, Kids

Pangaia has a great selection of organic shorts for each member of the family, including kids ages 3 to 12 years old. 

Most of these are designed for comfort and have a relaxed fit, making them perfect for lounging around the house or for running outside. 

Made from 100% organic cotton, their fabric is super soft and breathable!

The brand also treats them with natural peppermint oil to give them anti-odor properties, meaning that you’ll be able to wash them less frequently. 

Pangaia also offers various lengths options, sizes ranging from XXS to XXL, and many different colors, including neutrals and bright bold ones like pink, green, and blue. 

Plus, the brand co-founded a nonprofit dedicated to protecting pollinators and restoring their natural habitats. 

Final thoughts on the best organic cotton shorts

I hope you’ve found this article about the best organic cotton shorts helpful and that you could find a pair or two that you’ll love wearing this summer! 

Not only are these shorts better for the environment because they’re organic, but they’re also better for our skin and health. 

If you liked this article, you may also want to read: 

• 9 organic cotton dresses for women cherishing comfort & sustainable fashion
• 10 organic cotton t-shirts for a more sustainable wardrobe
• 7 organic cotton leggings you will want to live in
• 8 best sustainable linen pants that will keep you & the planet chill
• 10 sustainable jeans brands you and the planet will love

Which organic cotton shorts have you decided to get? 

Please leave a comment! 

Don’t forget to share this blog post with your friends so they can find comfy, organic shorts for this summer too. 

Looking for more non-toxic & sustainable brands? Check out the Ethical & Sustainable Brand Directory!

It features conscious brands in various categories, from home goods and furniture to fashion and clean beauty!

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