Once upon a time, cotton was king in Texas. Now, thanks to Shein hauls and polyester yoga pants, it’s looking more like a dethroned monarch begging for spare change. Texas High Plains farmers—who grow nearly a third of the nation’s cotton—are watching demand tank while synthetic fabrics flood the market at prices even Walmart blushes at.
Plains Cotton Growers have launched a PR war, plastering social media with “did you know your leggings are petroleum?” infographics, hoping someone cares that polyester doesn’t biodegrade for 200 years. Meanwhile, cotton breaks down in months. Translation: your $8 fast-fashion crop top will still be polluting the Gulf long after your grandkids stop wearing it ironically.
Health Secretary RFK Jr. is floated as the industry’s potential savior, because if there’s one thing people love more than science, it’s a Kennedy telling you what not to eat, drink, or wear. Farmers say if people just looked at clothing labels and picked cotton, it would save the environment, their livelihoods, and maybe your tap water from tasting like a tire.
But let’s be real: the average Lubbock resident is more worried about the cost of brisket than microplastics in their bloodstream. And the cotton farmers? They’re left fighting TikTok influencers armed with ring lights and discount codes.
So, will you pay triple for a cotton shirt to save the planet—or just keep washing your polyester until the South Plains aquifer turns into a giant bottle of Dasani?
