The company, with 163 stores, is building a new flagship location in its Austin, Texas, hometown that may include clothes made with materials like organic cotton, according to a spokesman.

Except for a few private Web sites, organic clothing is largely a rarity, and most consumers can't even tell an organic T-shirt from a conventional one.

As with organic food, many think clothes made of chemical-free dyes and natural yarns are too expensive, analysts said. They added that other consumers see such clothing as less stylish than conventional varieties.

Still, Whole Foods said it may introduce organic clothes at its Austin store, which is set to open in early March, but the company has made no final determination of the store's new product line-up.

"It's something we're considering along with many other unusual things," spokesman Scott Simons said.

BB&T Capital Markets analyst Andrew Wolf said Whole Foods, as a top organic and natural food chain, has gained high credibility with its customers.

"If the market is going to go into organic clothing, perhaps they will be well-positioned to be part of it," Wolf said.

Last year sales of natural foods and other organic products hit $42.8 billion, up 8.1 percent from the prior year, according to industry publication Natural Foods Merchandiser.

Organic clothes appeal more to people who are conscious about the effect their lives has on the environment or those who detest the use of synthetic fabrics and dyes in clothing.

According to the Organic Consumers Association, the use of conventionally grown cotton promotes use of pesticides, harming the environment.