Katoenen

Katoenen is the Dutch adjectival form used to describe textiles and clothing made from katoen, i.e., cotton. The term appears in phrases such as "katoenen t-shirt" or "katoenen broek" to indicate the material is cotton or primarily cotton. The noun katoen refers to the natural fiber obtained from the cotton plant.

Cotton fibers are natural, soft, and highly breathable, with good moisture absorption, which makes katoen fabrics comfortable to wear in warm weather. They can feel cool and are generally gentle on the skin. Typical katoenen fabrics include woven varieties such as denim, percale, poplin, and twill, as well as knitted forms like jersey. Fabrics labeled as katoenen may be 100% katoen or blends with fibers such as polyester or elastane to improve stretch, durability, or crease resistance.

Care and durability depend on the fabric type and blend. Pure katoen textiles can shrink after washing and may wrinkle more easily than blends. Washing at appropriate temperatures (often 30–60 degrees Celsius) and following garment care labels helps—tumble drying on a low setting or line drying can minimize shrinkage and wrinkling. Bleaching is generally discouraged on colored katoen fabrics.

Sustainability and trends: katoen production has environmental impacts, including water use and pesticide application in many growing regions. Organic cotton and more sustainable farming practices aim to reduce these effects. Cotton blends can offer a balance between comfort and maintenance, while some fashion and home textiles increasingly emphasize katoenen fabrics alongside alternative fibers.