Long sleeve, pink/black/white, button cuff, fitted blouse. 100% mercerized cotton. Mercerized cotton is a special kind of cotton yarn that is more lustrous than conventional cotton. It is also stronger, takes dye a little more readily, produces less lint, and is more resistant to mildew. Mercerization is a process applied to cellulosic fibers – typically cotton (or cotton-covered thread) – to increase luster. It is done after weaving (in the case of fabrics) or spinning (for yarns or threads). But early on it was found that the process also had secondary benefits: the mercerized fibers were able to absorb more water, and therefore absorb more dye, making the color of the dyed cloth brighter and deeper. The difference is dramatic: mercerization increases the absorption of dyestuffs by as much as 25%.[1]