Due to a skyrocketing demand for cotton from places like China, as well as cotton-crop shortages in places like India, Pakistan, and (surprise!) China, the fabric of our lives is about to get a lot more expensive. The price of cotton has risen almost 80 percent since July, meaning that cotton-based clothing brands like Levi's and Hanes are going to have to raise the prices of their merchandise as well as integrate other materials — like polyester — into their products. [NYT]