Egyptian & Giza Cotton Explained: Yarn Count, Staple Length, And Why It Matters For Bespoke Shirts
Premium shirting fabric begins with fibre—its length, strength, purity, and how it responds toweaving. Among all natural cottons, Egyptian Cotton and Giza Cotton remain thebenchmark of luxury. This guide gives the fundamentals of Egyptian and Giza cotton,explains yarn count, and clarifies why these fibres are preferred for bespoke menswear. What Defines Egyptian Cotton? “Egyptian Cotton” originally referred to cotton grown exclusively along the Nile Delta, where the soil composition and climate naturally support long-staple and extra-long-staple fibres. True Egyptian Cotton is characterised by: The longer the staple, the finer and stronger the yarn that can be spun. This results in fabrics with: For bespoke shirting, Egyptian Cotton provides structure without heaviness—an essential combination for India’s climate. What Is Giza Cotton? “Giza” is the classification of specific Egyptian cotton varieties. Not all Egyptian cotton is Giza, but all Giza is Egyptian. Giza cottons are graded by number, each representing a specific varietal with distinct properties. Key Giza Varieties Used in Luxury Shirting Giza 45 – The Queen Of Egyptian Cottons Produces yarns for 170s, 200s, and sometimes 240s shirtings. Rare and extremely expensive. Giza 87 – The Durable Luxury Perfect balance of luxury and durability, ideal for bespoke shirts worn frequently. Giza 88 – Versatile And Balanced This cotton holds colour brilliantly and has minimal pilling. Giza 92 – Modern Hybrid Cotton Giza 96 – Affordable, Good-Quality LS Cotton Still superior to most non-Egyptian cottons. Staple Length Explained Staple length = the length of each cotton fibre. Longer the staple, smoother the yarn and stronger the fabric. Staple Length Categories Giza 45, 87, 88, 92 sit in the ELS category, making them ideal for high-quality bespoke shirts. Long staples reduce fibre ends sticking out of the yarn, resulting in: Yarn Count: 60s, 80s, 100s, 140s, 200s Explained Yarn count describes the fineness of the yarn used in weaving the fabric. Higher count = finer yarn = lighter, smoother, more premium fabric. Common Counts In Premium Shirting Yarn Count Feel Use 60s Structured, strong Casual shirts, workwear 80s Soft, smooth Business shirts 100s Refined, breathable Formalwear 120s Luxurious, lighter Premium bespoke shirts 140s Very fine Luxury shirting 170s–200s Ultra-fine, delicate High luxury, occasional wear How Fibre Affects Yarn Count Giza 45 and Giza 87 can be spun into: ● 100s to 200s yarn Lower-quality fibres cannot maintain these fine counts without breaking. This is why mills such as Albini and Thomas Mason use Giza cotton for their top lines. Egyptian Vs. Giza Cotton: The Practical Difference Feature Egyptian Cotton Giza Cotton Definition All cotton grown in Egypt Specific elite varieties grown in Nile Delta Quality Range LS to ELS Mostly ELS Best Varieties Giza 45, 87, 88 Industry gold standard Price Wide range Consistent premium pricing Durability High Very high Use in Bespoke Business + premium shirts High luxury shirts Which Cotton Is Best For India? India’s climate demands shirts that: Recommended For Daily Wear Counts: 80s, 100s, 120s These offer: Recommended For Luxury Wear Counts: 140s, 170s, 200s For special occasions and refined luxury—not daily use in Indian humidity. Avoid for daily Indian climate: They wrinkle faster and feel too delicate for regular wear. Why Egyptian & Giza Cotton Elevate Bespoke Shirting A bespoke shirt is shaped through pattern engineering, collar geometry, and hand-finished sleeves—but the foundation is always the fibre. Egyptian and Giza cottons provide the ideal characteristics for a luxury shirt: long staple, breathability, strength, and the ability to achieve high yarn counts without losing structure. For a bespoke menswear brand, especially in India, the optimal selection remains: In the world of bespoke menswear, true luxury is never accidental—it is engineered from the fibre up. Whether it is the precision of Super wool or the purity of Egyptian and Giza cotton, every material carries its own philosophy of comfort, longevity, and refinement. By understanding these foundations, you’re not just choosing a fabric—you’re choosing how your shirt will look, feel, and perform for years. At Shubham Shinde, we translate these fibres into garments that honour craftsmanship, precision, and individuality. Your shirt begins with the world’s finest fibres; the rest is shaped by us, tailored for you.
