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How do you level up a fashion icon like cotton pants? Not easily. They have a deep history in apparel that includes denim, chinos, corduroy, canvas, and joggers. But we wanted to leave our mark on the almighty cotton pant. And so, our cotton stretch ripstop fabric was born.
Ripstop has a hard-wearing military history with a compelling performance narrative. As a textile it’s defined as a fiber-weaving technique that makes finished goods more durable via the rip-resistant fabric. In plain speak, those visible little squares prevent tears from spreading once they occur. If a tear starts it won’t extend further than the weave’s thick reinforcement yarns located a few millimeters away. Originally conceived during WWII as the US Army was looking for a rip-resistant fabric for the uniforms that would see ground battle. At the same time the Air Force was looking for a more durable material to create parachutes out of, which were previously made of expensive and quite delicate silk. Not something most would feel comfortable jumping out of an airplane with.
It’s distinguished look of thicker reinforcement yarns that appear to overlay the fabric in a crosshatch pattern has even become its own design aesthetic, which makes it both fashionable and functional.
There are a few details that make our ripstop stand on its own. For our own collection we added 2% spandex for mobility and comfort. Additionally, we applied the ripstop to cotton instead of the nylon traditionally used in tactical wear and outdoor gear. This gives our apparel a more natural drape on the body and the ability to perform in the streets and in nature.