You've probably seen both "organic cotton" and "GOTS certified" on children's clothing labels. They sound similar, but they don't mean exactly the same thing.
What Does "Organic Cotton" Mean?
When a brand says "organic cotton," it is generally referring to how the cotton fiber was grown. Certification is what provides independent verification of specific standards.
What Does GOTS Certified Mean?
GOTS stands for Global Organic Textile Standard. It is a third-party textile certification covering multiple stages of production, including organic fiber requirements and environmental and social criteria.
For shoppers, the important distinction is verification: certification gives you a defined standard to look for rather than relying only on broad marketing terminology.
Why Does This Matter for Children's Clothes?
Children wear their clothing for long stretches of the day, so many parents and grandparents want to understand how fabrics are sourced and processed. GOTS certification provides a recognized framework for evaluating organic textiles.
What About OEKO-TEX?
OEKO-TEX and GOTS are different standards with different scopes. When comparing labels, check what the specific certification covers rather than assuming all textile certifications mean the same thing.
Complete the Look
Hair accessories are a different product category and should not be described as organic simply because they coordinate with organic clothing. Dew & Dove's hair accessories are colorful, lightweight finishing touches for children's outfits. Browse our kids hair accessories collection, or read our baby and toddler hair clips buying guide.
The Bottom Line
When shopping for organic children's clothing, look for specific certification rather than relying only on general wording. All Dew & Dove clothing is GOTS-certified. Browse our full clothing collection here.