How you wear, wash, and care for your clothes impacts comfort, longevity and sustainability. Small choices can make a big difference!

How you wear, wash, and care for your clothes impacts comfort, longevity and sustainability. Small choices can make a big difference!

When we partnered with Cotton Australia, we wanted to get to know the people behind the fabric. Brooke Summers is as passionate about Australian Cotton as the farmers who grow it. Here, she shares why it is regarded amongst the highest quality in the world, why traceability is becoming increasingly significant in fashion supply chains and how our local cotton production is becoming even more sustainable.

For over 85 years, Sussan has been perfecting the art of bedtime.

We understand that restful sleep is vital to a woman’s well-being through every chapter of life— whether you’re a new mum navigating sleepless nights or adjusting to the changes of menopause. As a brand for women, by women, we know how the right sleepwear can transform your sleep experience.

This season, our commitment continues with a focus on luxurious fabrics, sustainability, and designs that seamlessly blend style with comfort. Our Featherlight Soft, Australian Cotton, ECOVERO, and Viscose from Bamboo sleepwear collections are thoughtfully crafted to enhance how you feel during your nightly rest.

Discover the softness and luxury of our fabrics and transform every night into a moment of true self-care.

Featherlight Soft: Discover Modal’s ultimate softness

Bedtime is the perfect time to unwind and reconnect with what truly matters, and our new Featherlight Soft fabrication is here to make that moment even more special.

Designed for those who need to reclaim their rest and restore balance to their day, the Featherlight Soft collection features modal with a featherlight touch that moves with you, setting a calming tone the instant you slip it on.

The smooth, breathable fabric ensures a comfortable night’s sleep while its exceptional durability maintains its shape and keeps it looking fresh.

Enhanced with vibrant prints and an uplifting colour palette, the Featherlight Soft collection brings a touch of luxury to revitalise your nightly routine and rest.

Australian Cotton: Elevate your comfort with classic quality

Elevate your bedtime routine with the unrivalled comfort of cotton. Its cool, calming touch is perfect for lazy mornings, cosy nights, and every moment of downtime in between. Known for its natural breathability and durability, cotton also helps regulate body temperature, ensuring a truly refreshing night’s sleep.

Of course, if it’s total swaddling comfort you’re looking for, consider our 100% Australian Cotton gown.

Premium Australian cotton is renowned for its unrivalled quality and the industry’s commitment to sustainability and improving environmental outcomes. Put on a face mask, turn your phone on “do not disturb,” and indulge in the cosiest, dreamiest robe. Your to-do list will simply have to wait.

ECOVERO: Embrace eco-friendly elegance

Dress up while you rest up in ECOVERO, a revolutionary viscose fabric that combines sustainable innovation with luxurious comfort.

Made from FSC sustainably sourced and processed wood pulp, ECOVERO creates a sumptuous drape on the body and feels super soft against the skin. The fabric’s breathability and lightweight nature also make it perfect for maintaining a comfortable temperature throughout the night. With its smooth texture and elegant sheen, our ECOVERO sleepwear is ideal for hitting snooze, breakfast in bed, and a whole lot of luxurious self-care.

In recent years, summer-loving linen has become a fundamental year-round staple, which means aftercare of your linen is more important than ever. Luckily, caring for this durable fibre is easier than you think.

For over 85 years, Sussan has been perfecting the art of bedtime.

We understand that restful sleep is vital to a woman’s well-being through every chapter of life— whether you’re a new mum navigating sleepless nights or adjusting to the changes of menopause. As a brand for women, by women, we know how the right sleepwear can transform your sleep experience.

This season, our commitment continues with a focus on luxurious fabrics, sustainability, and designs that seamlessly blend style with comfort. Our Featherlight Soft, Australian Cotton, ECOVERO, and Viscose from Bamboo sleepwear collections are thoughtfully crafted to enhance how you feel during your nightly rest.

Discover the softness and luxury of our fabrics and transform every night into a moment of true self-care.

Featherlight Soft: Discover Modal’s ultimate softness

Bedtime is the perfect time to unwind and reconnect with what truly matters, and our new Featherlight Soft fabrication is here to make that moment even more special.

Designed for those who need to reclaim their rest and restore balance to their day, the Featherlight Soft collection features modal with a featherlight touch that moves with you, setting a calming tone the instant you slip it on.

The smooth, breathable fabric ensures a comfortable night’s sleep while its exceptional durability maintains its shape and keeps it looking fresh.

Enhanced with vibrant prints and an uplifting colour palette, the Featherlight Soft collection brings a touch of luxury to revitalise your nightly routine and rest.

Australian Cotton: Elevate your comfort with classic quality

Elevate your bedtime routine with the unrivalled comfort of cotton. Its cool, calming touch is perfect for lazy mornings, cosy nights, and every moment of downtime in between. Known for its natural breathability and durability, cotton also helps regulate body temperature, ensuring a truly refreshing night’s sleep.

Of course, if it’s total swaddling comfort you’re looking for, consider our 100% Australian Cotton gown.

Premium Australian cotton is renowned for its unrivalled quality and the industry’s commitment to sustainability and improving environmental outcomes. Put on a face mask, turn your phone on “do not disturb,” and indulge in the cosiest, dreamiest robe. Your to-do list will simply have to wait.

Our Australian Cotton range is available in stores and online.

Viscose from Bamboo: Silky serenity for restful nights

Discover the perfect blend of style and comfort with our Viscose from Bamboo sleepwear. Crafted from ultra-soft Viscose from Bamboo, this fabric is naturally breathable, hypoallergenic, and thermoregulating, making it ideal for unwinding and resetting. With a featherlight texture that has a silky, smooth touch, this fabric naturally regulates your temperature for a peaceful night’s sleep. Viscose from Bamboo’s smooth breathable comfort gently envelops you, creating a cosy environment for uninterrupted rest.

This month at Sussan, we are discovering ways to reconnect with nature in the cooler months. During winter, most of us are encouraged to stay indoors, snuggled up in the comfort of home. But a group of remarkable women working in the heart of Australia’s cotton fields are challenging the perception of winter as a time to retreat. Embracing the environment with passion and perseverance, these women have cultivated a harmonious connection with nature. Jenna Bell grew up on an irrigation farm just down the road from her now husband. They purchased their first farm in Gogeldrie, NSW, in 2018. Since then, they have raised three children, balancing the demands of farm life and family life. Here, we talk to Jenna about her experiences, uncovering the impact of seasonal cycles on sustainable cotton farming in Australia and discover how she finds solace and strength through her connection to the land she works and lives on.

How has cotton farming influenced your connection to nature?

We’re fortunate to be part of such an innovative and forward-thinking industry. You get exposure to the strategic planning of cotton through CRDC (Cotton Research and Development Corporation) and Cotton Australia, which includes land and environmental sustainability. That opens the door for a deeper understanding and connection with nature and land. You really get to ask yourself questions through their guidance that you’re doing all the right things for land sustainability.

What are some of the most rewarding aspects of working closely with nature as a cotton farmer?

A particular thing for me is the dirt-to-shirt story, so the traceability within the cotton industry. I get a real sense of appreciation for nature in our ability to create fabrics from cotton plants. It’s pretty incredible. Knowing that we’ve managed all of the season’s natural challenges well when we grow a successful crop is always rewarding too. Regenerating soil health is very important to us, and we are constantly measuring that, which in turn, rewards us with successful crops.

What do you love about being outdoors and working in nature?

For our family, we include the kids a lot. While picking the cotton, the kids and I will go down, and I will play hide and seek with them in the modules. We do fun stuff like that because they aren’t exposed to town parks — we kind of create our own fun out here. We will often sit outside around our fire bucket during the winter months too.

How do you navigate nature’s unpredictable and sometimes challenging aspects, such as extreme weather events?

We use various tools to mitigate our risks in unpredictable and challenging weather events. So, for example, during last year’s high rainfall events, we had massive heavy rainfall in a matter of hours. We were at risk of all our paddocks being flooded. We use really strict premium paddock layouts through what we call a bankless channel system. And we also adopt automation technology where we can successfully drain the water off the paddocks quickly and also remotely, so we don’t have to be there to do that. The water drains into a storage dam, which can then be used in the next irrigation cycle. By by doing that, we’re becoming more water efficient and reducing the risk of water logging in the cotton plant, which reduces your yields.

Do you feel responsible for preserving and protecting the environment as a cotton farmer?

Yeah, absolutely. It’s very important to us. We have three kids who want to become a part of our world. So we want them to have the same appreciation for nature and the environment as we do. All systems that we use in our farming practices are targeted to being the most sustainable and most efficient not only for nature but also for production. So we are quite harmonious in that aspect. The future in technology is really promising, which will maintain an environmentally sustainable future.

How does the change of seasons affect your daily routine as a cotton farmer? Is your work-life balance shaped by the natural rhythms and demands of farming throughout the year?

Our routines are set by the cotton season and other crops on our farm. It can be very demanding, so we have to be very disciplined in our work-life balance and make the time to spend with family. But you also have to love what you do and be committed to the success of it. It’s not something you can just drop whenever you feel like it — you’ve got to be committed to it.

Does the ebb and flow of the farming seasons make you think or feel differently about the “seasons” in your own life?

Seasons can be very challenging and very rewarding. I love the idea of a challenge in my personal and work life. And I’ve had challenges in my life where it hasn’t gone to plan. I don’t see them as a failure but as learning experiences.

The start of a new year is an opportunity to set intentions for the season ahead with new energy, clarity and vibrancy. It’s also the the perfect time to clean out the old and make way for the new — especially in our wardrobes. With more time and flexibility, we can reflect and focus more clearly on our fashion choices: the outfits we always reach for, the items we forgot we even have, and the pieces that we no longer wear. Instead of feeling guilty, stressed or overwhelmed by our clothes, cleaning out and then curating a wardrobe helps us to embrace our lifestyle with ease. Less thinking, more living! So, this January, Sussan wants to champion a freshness that starts the year right. To help our customers create a landfill-free fashion future, in 2021, we partnered with UPPAREL — making it easier for you to close the loop on clothing items you no longer wear, need, or love.

Since June, our customers have diverted more than 8000 kilograms of textiles from landfill, preventing more than 29,000 greenhouse gas emissions.

When your go-to pair of jeans get a hole in the knee or your old work blazer no longer fits, it isn’t always easy to determine the best way to reuse, repurpose or recycle your pre-loved clothing. UPPAREL takes the hassle out of the decision-making process to give your garments a second life.

Plus, as a thank you for helping us to create a landfill-free fashion future, we’ll reward you with a $25 voucher* to spend at Sussan.

To celebrate the initiative and our More than a Sale campaign, here are some tips for overcoming common wardrobe cleansing dilemmas and curating a future wardrobe that sparks confidence.

Dilemma 1: You still love it but no longer wear it

Clothes are so much more than just fabric.They express who we are at certain times in our lives and the parts of ourselves we want to project to the world.Our wardrobes are a deeply personal and intimate space, so they can be intimidating to clean out.

Our clothes are like stylish souvenirs from particular moments and memories: first dates, holidays, jobs, motherhood, and even gifts from loved ones. But just because pieces are sentimental, it doesn’t always mean they add value and purpose to our current lifestyle or wardrobes. The problem is that our emotional attachment to clothes can make us feel guilty for removing them from our lives.

Try asking yourself these questions:

- Is keeping this an empowered choice or one determined by feelings of guilt, anxiety or fear?

- Does this item service my current lifestyle? Do I wear it?

- Do I feel confident and happy when wearing it?

- Do I lose memories without having this item trigger them?

- If I did not have a memory tied to this garment, how do I feel about this garment?

- Finally, rather than asking if the item sparks joy, ask yourself if it sparks confidence?

Consider taking a photo of the item as a keepsake and know that if it is still fit-for-wear, then UPPAREL will forward it to their charity partners so someone else can make new memories in your once-loved clothes.

Dilemma 2: It no longer fits, but you still love it

Stocking our wardrobes with clothing that no longer fits can take a toll on our self-esteem — particularly when we put pressure on ourselves to fit back into them.

Rather than think about the money you spent on it or how much you still love the item, consider that if it costs you peace of mind, it might be too expensive to keep.

There is enough stress and expectations placed on us without putting added pressure on ourselves to look a certain way. Letting go of the garment may also help you to let go of the guilt and self-consciousness attached to it.

So, send them to UPPAREL and spoil yourself with something new that celebrates who you are now. Change the clothes, not the body.

Dilemma 3: It’s damaged, but you don’t want to throw it away

Maybe you accidentally shrunk a jumper on a spin cycle, or your favourite pair of jeans got a hole in the knee; sometimes, it can be hard to know the best way to discard old clothing responsibly. That’s where UPPAREL takes the guess work out and takes care of it for you. If items are past their prime, then UPPAREL works with their recycling partners to upcycle your garments and turn them into something new, like socks. And if items are damaged, they can be recycled and used to create new yarn or shredded and used for things like insulation or stuffing for pet beds.

Dilemma 4: You don’t wear it, but worry you might want to in the future

Fear is a massive force in holding onto things. We rationalise we may need a dress for a future party or a holiday despite reality telling us that we never need it. Taking a more sceptical view can help keep things in the present.

Just as we don’t lose our memories when we lose the clothing items that trigger them, we also don’t lose our hopes. And who knows, maybe taking back that space in your wardrobe will open you up to new possibilities for the future.

Dilemma 5: You no longer love it but spent a lot of money on it

Guilt can be a huge driving factor in holding onto things, particularly when it comes to money. But maybe we need to be less tough on ourselves — we feel guilty enough about not going to the gym or not returning a phone call without also being hard on ourselves for having once purchased an item of clothing that adds no value to our lives now. Think of it as a lesson in curating a smarter wardrobe moving forward where each item you buy as an important acquisition in your wardrobe. To consider how new purchases will sit alongside your existing wardrobe, take an inventory or photos of your most-loved pieces and be conscious of the looks you gravitate towards. When you start looking at the trends within your wardrobe, you might also be surprised to find that you have subconsciously curated your own tailored look. Plus, closely examining your wardrobe can also make you more aware of missing pieces and the best investments for the season. Maybe you realise you have lots of workwear blouses, but only one pair of tailored pants. Or, if you are tempted to buy a new summer dress, ask yourself if you can wear it with sandals, heels, and maybe even sneakers and if you can layer a denim jacket or a trench over it during the cooler months.

The problem is that we tend to accumulate rather than curate our wardrobes. On average, Australians purchase 27kg of new textiles each year and discard around 23 kilograms —annually. This means that, as a country, we send over 6,000 kilograms of textile and clothing to landfills every 10 minutes. By paying closer attention to what you buy and choosing garments that celebrate timeless design and enduring quality, you are also helping to create a healthier fashion future.

Dilemma 6: Post cleanse curation

Now that you have successfully edited your wardrobe, a system will help make getting dressed in the morning far less stressful. Start with some velvet non-slip hangers to keep things tidy, then hang your items in seasons. Think dresses, blouses and skirts for summer, with heavier coats and jackets at the back of the wardrobe. Fold your knitwear so avoid them going out of shape on hangers and even consider putting a hook on the back of the door so you can pre-plan tomorrow’s outfit ahead of the day. Finally, make sure you take your time. Don’t rush your New Year cleanout. A slower, more considered approach will not only help avoid some of the anxieties associated with letting go of our clothing but also helps us feel more confident and in control of our wardrobe moving forward.

No plans this weekend? Now you do.

Clean out your wardrobe of pieces you no longer need, wear or love and book your collection online today.

1. Head to our UPPAREL partnership page and book a collection for $35 (up to 10kg)
2. Pack up your pre-loved clothes
3. Confirm your collection with UPPAREL
4. Leave your box outside your door for collection.

A gift for you – within 72 hours of your booking confirmation, you’ll receive an exclusive Sussan $25 voucher.

To learn more about how UPPAREL reuse, recycle and reward your once-loved garments, read more here.

To book your pick up, click here.

When we partnered with Cotton Australia, we wanted to get to know the people behind the fabric. Brooke Summers is as passionate about Australian Cotton as the farmers who grow it. Here, she shares why it is regarded amongst the highest quality in the world, why traceability is becoming increasingly significant in fashion supply chains and how our local cotton production is becoming even more sustainable.

Tell us a bit about yourself and your role at Cotton Australia.

I grew up on the coast and am now a Sydney girl who’s worked in agriculture for over 25 years. I love working with farmers to tell their stories and connect them with the products they grow – it makes them so proud. I’ve done lots of things with Cotton Australia, and my most recent role is working with brands like Sussan, not-for-profit organisations and sustainability programs to promote Australian cotton in the world textile market. My work takes me from our farms in NSW and Queensland to factories in South Asia where many Australian cotton clothes are made. Some of the best moments are seeing the pride in our farmers when they can see the products they’ve grown in store.

Relaxed, durable and breathable clothing is a necessity for the Australian climate, particularly during the summer months. Why do you think Australian cotton is in high demand around the world? What are some of the properties that make Australian cotton of premium quality?

Australians love to wear cotton because of its beauty, comfort and durability. We all know cotton is cool, soft, hypoallergenic and breathable but Australian cotton adds a whole lot of extra value. It’s premium quality and is grown with the highest social and environmental standards in the world which makes it a sought-after choice. Australian cotton’s high quality comes from the way the crop is carefully managed by our farmers, the types of varieties we grow to suit local conditions and the high-tech innovations we use to harvest and gin our cotton before it heads overseas for processing. As a result, our cotton is longer, whiter, stronger and finer than virtually all others.

Customers and brands are increasingly interested in where and how their clothes are made, right back to raw materials like the growing of cotton. To achieve transparency in fashion supply chains we need to be able to show where the cotton was grown, and under which certification standards. As our cotton is being picked and made into bales in the field, a barcode with GPS coordinates is attached which stays with the cotton all the way to the spinning mill. This allows our brand partners to trace their cotton, giving them confidence that it was grown on an Australian farm with world’s best practice.

Particularly in drought affected areas, water use efficiency is just one of the ways that industry is improving sustainability. Can you tell us about other ways cotton production is becoming more sustainable?

Our cotton farmers have been working on sustainability for over 20 years, and the industry has completely transformed the way cotton is grown in Australia. We’re now seen as world leaders in sustainable cotton, and we have our dedicated farmers who have voluntarily implemented our environmental program (myBMP) to thank for that! We’re using over 90% less pesticides compared to a decade ago, have improved water use efficiency by over 40% and grow three times world average yields making us the most land-use efficient cotton farmers on the planet. Many of our cotton farms are carbon positive and we’re having positive impacts with healthier soils, improved biodiversity and a better balance between farming and the natural environment.

Our Australian Cotton range is available in stores and online.

We introduced our 100% Australian cotton collection in 2019, since then, we’ve proudly been working with Cotton Australia to support Aussie farmers and reduce emissions by sourcing locally.

Meet Stacey Storrier and Jenny Cleton, sisters-in-law who work for their family cotton business in Hillston, NSW. With more than 20 years’ experience in the cotton industry, we asked Stacey and Jenny to share their story and passion for the work they do.

How do you put goodness into Australian cotton fabric?

I’m part of a family business. We make strategic decisions on the direction of our business and how we plan to move towards our vision.

The Australian cotton industry is one of the world leaders in sustainable cotton, and our business is always looking for ways to improve soil health and water use efficiency on the farm. We also practice zero till farming and integrated pest management technologies. We use science as well as hands on experience and investments in infrastructure to ensure that we can produce the most sustainable fibre and in doing that, we feel that all that helps to provide goodness in the cotton.

What is it you look for as being best practice for sustainability?

We’re always looking to reduce our diesel and electricity consumption and our water use. We ensure that our equipment is looked after and is constantly renewed, plus we use a lot of science and technology to ensure the soil health is kept as healthy as possible and that we’re not over watering our crops and our country.

Where & how is this Australian Cotton grown?

Cotton is planted in September and it’s irrigated and grows over the Summer months when it’s at its warmest. The cotton plant is a desert plant, so it likes hot dry weather. It’s harvested around April-May and is sent to the local cotton gin where it is cleaned, seeds are removed and then it’s pressed into 227kg bail. The bails are then sent to the mills to be spun and turned into fabric.

How long from farm to wardrobe does the process take?

I would say it would nearly be a 12-month turnaround. From planting in September, to harvesting in April then being sent to a mill overseas and spun, it then goes onto factories to be made into garments, and finally back to Australia to be sold in stores.

Why is it important that women feel good in the clothes they wear?

Fashion really is more than just clothes. It’s a journey, from fibre to fashion to finding yourself through your style. Your clothes can say a lot about you, it’s a reflection of your personality, a way of expressing who you are without having to speak. Fashion allows everyone to show what they believe in and to create a style that builds confidence and self-worth.

Are there specific things that you look to getting dressed in that give you that confidence?

I like clothing that is fitted and comfortable to wear. I like colour in my wardrobe. Choosing bright, happy colours and textures that make you feel better about yourself.

Tell us about the fabric benefits of wearing cotton clothes?

Cotton is comfortable, it’s soft, it’s breathable. It’s warm in winter and cool in summer. It can be used to create all types of clothing, from socks to underwear, jeans, shirts, jumpers, jackets. From head to toe every single layer of clothing you wear, could be cotton. Cotton can also be used to produce linen and bedding, it’s not only comfortable but it’s also extremely versatile.

What does goodness feel like in the clothes you choose to wear?

Goodness feels definitely comfortable, soft, and breathable. It needs to be bright, cheerful, it needs to make you feel good about yourself when you put it on or even when you look at it.

How is the cotton grown?

At the moment we have already prepped the ground for the crop that we’re going to put in which is usually planted late September, early October. After the cotton is planted it’s irrigated and then once we hit summer from Christmas to March it’s irrigated every 10 days depending on how hot it is to keep up with the flowering so then we’re able to produce good size bolls and plenty of them on the crop. Last irrigation is around early to mid-March and then from there we’ll start to defoliating around the end of March through to April. Then hopefully we get a good defoliation and some good weather so that it stays a little bit warm but with a little bit of wind so that you get that leaf to drop off and the bolls to open and that’s when you start to see the white blanket of cotton across the crop. Then picking for us starts around the end April to mid-May. This year being so mild we didn’t start to pick until end of May.

Can you describe what a boll is?

A boll of cotton will start out as a flower and then it will produce into where the seed and where the nice fluffy cotton is inside the boll and then at the defoliation stage is when the boll is mature and it will crack open and it has 4 sections that will open up and that is where the nice fluffy cotton and seeds are, which is what we want to harvest.

How is cotton good for the ecosystem?

When we first started irrigating cotton which was at the end of the 90s it was all flood irrigation, so we were still growing it on hills and still recycling the water, but gradually we have changed over some of our systems over to sprinklers. This is more timely and we are using less water to grow the crop. We have also changed some of the flood irrigation systems to bankless channels, which uses less water.

How many work on the farm?

We have approximately 10 full-time staff.

How is cotton good for the farms and the people that grow it?

My Dad started growing cotton when my eldest brother came home from university, so we haven’t always been cotton growers. My children will be third generation cotton growers. Growing cotton is good for employment. We’ve been able to keep on staff all through the drought, even with a minimal crop as with cotton you’re able to forward market it.

Can you explain the high quality fabrication process?

It’s strong and durable but it also comes down to the fact that a lot of the cotton growers are either BMP accredited, which means that the cotton is grown under best management practices right across the farm. BMP means that we induct all our employees correctly and we’re also on top of any safety issues straight away. We’re following farm standards from bundling to diesel tanks to keeping the correct records when we spray our crops and ensuring that all our staff are trained correctly in what they are required to do.

Tell us about the fabric benefits to the wearer?

The benefits are that it’s a sustainable product and we only grow it when we have the water that we’re allocated to be able to grow the product. I find that cotton is a very breathable and wearable product. It’s also a fairly durable product and with the washing process of cotton, you’re not adding any extra micro plastics into our environment. Cotton breaks down, so once you’ve finished wearing it, it can compost back down into the earth.

What does goodness feel like in the clothes you choose to wear?

When I buy clothes for our whole family, I’m looking for a natural product, a durable product and one that feels soft against our skin. It’s got to be something that’s not going to irritate and keeps its shape when it comes out of the wash.

How you wear, wash, and care for your clothes impacts comfort, longevity and sustainability. Small choices can make a big difference!

How you wear, wash, and care for your clothes impacts comfort, longevity and sustainability. Small choices can make a big difference!