Top 5 Sustainable Fabrics To Watch Out For

As we become more aware of the environmental impact of our actions, many of us are looking for ways to make more sustainable choices when it comes to our clothing, fabrics, or fashion in general. Upon doing my research I discovered that both consumers and producers can alter our unsustainable habits by choosing to:

Use sustainable materials. There are many sustainable materials that can be used in fashion, such as organic cotton, recycled polyester, and bamboo. These materials are made from renewable resources and/or recycled materials, and they often have a lower environmental impact than traditional materials.
Embrace slow fashion. Slow fashion is a movement that promotes the production of clothing that is made to last. This means using higher-quality materials and production methods, and producing smaller quantities of clothing. Slow fashion is more sustainable than fast fashion, which is the production of cheap, disposable clothing.
Design for circularity. Circular fashion is a system in which clothing is designed to be reused, recycled, or composted at the end of its life. This means using materials that can be easily recycled, and designing clothing that can be easily repaired or upcycled.
Promote ethical practices. The fashion industry has a long history of unethical practices, such as child labor and sweatshops. Sustainable fashion brands can promote ethical practices by ensuring that their clothes are made in safe and fair working conditions.
Empower consumers. Consumers can play a role in making the fashion industry more sustainable by making informed choices about the clothes they buy. This means choosing clothes that are made from sustainable materials, produced in ethical ways, and designed to last.

But for today, we’re going to focus on the use of sustainable materials. Here are some of the most popular eco-friendly fabrics and clothing options that can do a lot more good and a lot less harm to this planet of ours.

Organic Cotton

Organic cotton is grown without the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, making it a more sustainable option than traditional cotton. It also uses less water and is often grown using more sustainable farming practices. Organic cotton farming uses less water, requires less energy, and produces fewer greenhouse gas emissions than conventional cotton farming. It also helps to protect soil quality and biodiversity. Organic cotton fibers are stronger and more durable than conventional cotton fibers, so they can last longer.

Why this particular crop isn’t in high use already you may? That’s because, organic cotton is typically more expensive than conventional cotton because it is more difficult to grow and process. While it uses less resources to grow, it becomes more susceptible to diseases, pests, which means that caring for such a delicate crop can be a lot more labor intensive which can in-turn drive of the cost of organic cotton. Furthermore, there is still not enough consumer demand for organic cotton to drive down the price and make it more widely available. This is because many people are not aware of the benefits of organic cotton or they are not willing to pay the premium price.

But all hope is not lost because, there are a number of initiatives currently underway to increase the production and use of organic cotton. These initiatives include:

Government support: Some governments are providing financial support to organic cotton farmers and businesses.
Industry partnerships: Some businesses are working together to develop new technologies and practices that will make organic cotton more affordable and accessible.
Consumer education: Some organizations are working to educate consumers about the benefits of organic cotton.

There are many clothing brands that are actively using organic cotton in their products. Here are a few:

Patagonia: Patagonia is a leading sustainable clothing brand that uses organic cotton in many of its products, including t-shirts, hoodies, and pants.
Cuyana: Cuyana is a sustainable clothing brand that uses organic cotton in its basics, such as t-shirts, pants, and dresses.
H&M Conscious: H&M is a fast-fashion brand that has a line of clothing made from organic cotton.
Earth Conscious: Earth Conscious is a sustainable clothing brand that uses organic cotton in its activewear and loungewear.

Hemp

Hemp is a fast-growing versatile plant that requires little water and no pesticides to grow. It can be used to make a variety of items, from t-shirts to jeans and be used as a source to make paper products, building materials and food. Hemp is naturally hypoallergenic, making it a good choice for people with allergies and hemp products are biodegradable, meaning they break down naturally in the environment.

As with organic cotton, this crop also faces its own unique challenges for mass harvesting such as:

Requires special processing: Hemp fibers need to be processed differently than other fibers, which can make it more expensive to produce hemp products. There is not yet a well-established infrastructure for the production and processing of hemp.
Not as widely available: Hemp products are not as widely available as other types of products, which can make them more difficult to find.
Government regulations: Hemp is still illegal in some countries, and even in countries where it is legal, there may be restrictions on its cultivation and use.
Public perception: Hemp is still associated with marijuana, which can make some people hesitant to use it or buy products made from it.
Competition from other materials: Hemp competes with other materials, such as cotton and polyester, for use in a variety of products. These materials are often cheaper and more widely available than hemp.

There are a number of initiatives underway to increase the use of hemp which include:

Government support: Some governments are providing financial support to hemp farmers and businesses.
Industry partnerships: Some businesses are working together to develop new technologies and practices that will make hemp production more efficient and cost-effective.

There are many clothing brands that are actively using hemp in their products. Here are a few:

Henley Co. is a sustainable fashion brand that uses hemp in a variety of its products, including t-shirts, pants, and jackets.
Eileen Fisher is a sustainable clothing brand that uses hemp in a few of its products, such as skirts and dresses.
Patagonia is an outdoor clothing brand that uses hemp in some of its products, such as backpacks and jackets.

Bamboo

Bamboo is another fast-growing plant that can be used to make a variety of clothing items. It requires less water than cotton and can be grown without pesticides. Bamboo is a fast-growing grass that can be found in tropical and subtropical regions around the world. It is a versatile material that can be used to make a variety of products, including furniture, flooring, clothing, and food. Bamboo fibers are strong and durable, making them ideal for a variety of applications. Bamboo is naturally hypoallergenic, making it a good choice for people with allergies and it has natural antibacterial properties, which can help to prevent the growth of bacteria

How come bamboo isn’t in use already you may ask? Similar to hemp, bamboo products can be more expensive than products made from other materials. This is because bamboo is a relatively new material and the production process is not yet as refined as it could be. Also Bamboo is not as widely available as other materials, such as cotton and wood. This is because bamboo grows in tropical and subtropical climates, which limits its cultivation. There is still some research needed to fully understand the potential benefits and risks of using bamboo. This can make it difficult for businesses to invest in the production and marketing of bamboo products.

The U.S. government is currently doing a few things to encourage more bamboo production. These include:

Funding research and development: The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is funding research and development into new ways to grow and process bamboo. This includes research into new varieties of bamboo that are better suited to the U.S. climate, and research into new ways to process bamboo into fibers and other materials.
Providing technical assistance: The USDA is also providing technical assistance to bamboo growers and businesses. This includes assistance with planting, harvesting, and processing bamboo.
Removing regulatory barriers: The USDA is working to remove regulatory barriers to bamboo production. This includes working to make it easier to import bamboo plants and products into the U.S.

There are many clothing brands that are actively using bamboo in their products. Here are a few:

Patagonia: Patagonia is an outdoor clothing brand that uses bamboo in a few of its products, such as its Capilene Cool Lightweight T-Shirt.
Naked Cashmere: Naked Cashmere is a luxury cashmere brand that uses bamboo in its linings and trims.
Cariloha: Cariloha is a sustainable clothing brand that uses bamboo in a variety of its products, including bedding, towels, and clothing.
Tentree: Tentree is a sustainable clothing brand that uses bamboo in a few of its products, such as its t-shirts and pants.

Tencel

Tencel is a rayon fabric made from sustainably harvested wood pulp. It is a sustainable fabric that is made using a closed-loop manufacturing process, which means that all of the water and chemicals used in the production process are recycled. This textile is known for its softness and durability and is often used to make items like dresses and blouses. Similar to bamboo, tencel is also hypoallergenic.

How come Tencel isn’t in use already you may ask? Well, tencel is a more expensive fabric than some other natural fibers, such as cotton. Also, tencel is not as widely available as other fabrics. Since it has to compete with other fabrics, such as cotton and polyester, these materials are often cheaper and more widely available than Tencel.

Here are some of the things that have been done in the fashion industry to promote more use of Tencel:

Brands are using Tencel more often: Not only are sustainable brands such as Allbirds, Tentree, and Amour vert, using Tencel in their clothing lines, but this textile can now be found in a few luxury brands like Naked Cashmere.
Consumers are becoming more aware of Tencel: Consumers are becoming more aware of the benefits of Tencel as news articles highlight it’s increased usage in major clothing retailers. This is leading to increased demand for Tencel clothing.
Governments are supporting the production of Tencel: Some governments are providing financial support to Tencel producers and businesses. This is helping to make Tencel more affordable and accessible.

Recycled Polyester

Recycled polyester is made from post-consumer plastic bottles. It is a sustainable alternative to traditional polyester, which is made from nonrenewable resources like petroleum. Recycled polyester can be cost-effective to produce, as it uses recycled materials and it can be turned into a breathable fabric that allows air to circulate, keeping you cool and comfortable. Amongst all of the pros there are a few cons which exist such as, recycled polyester is not as soft as virgin polyester, as it is made from recycled materials. And, one of the biggest more worrisome cons of this textile is the fact that recycled polyester may contain microplastics, which are tiny pieces of plastic that can be harmful to the environment.

Why isn’t this material used more you may wonder?

Lack of demand: There is still not enough demand for recycled polyester to drive down the price and make it more widely available.
Competition from other materials: Recycled polyester competes with other fabrics, such as organic cotton and Tencel, for use in clothing. These materials are often cheaper and more widely available than recycled polyester.
Cost: Recycled polyester is often more expensive than virgin polyester. This is because it requires more energy and processing to create recycled polyester from recycled plastic bottles.
Availability: Recycled polyester is not as widely available as virgin polyester. This is because there is less recycled plastic available to be used to make recycled polyester.
Quality: The quality of recycled polyester can vary depending on the quality of the recycled plastic that is used. This can make it difficult to ensure that recycled polyester clothing will be of high quality.

There are many companies that are moving to use more recycled polyester in their products. Here are a few examples:

Adidas: Adidas has set a goal of using only recycled polyester in its products by 2024. The company is already using recycled polyester in a variety of its products, including shoes, clothing, and accessories.
Puma: Puma is also committed to using more recycled polyester in its products. The company has set a goal of using 75% recycled polyester in its products by 2025.
The North Face: The North Face is using recycled polyester in a variety of its products, including jackets, pants, and backpacks. The company is committed to using 100% recycled materials in its products by 2025.
Nike: Nike is using recycled polyester in a variety of its products, including shoes, clothing, and accessories. The company is committed to using 100% recycled polyester in its products by 2025.
Levi’s: Levi’s is using recycled polyester in a variety of its products, including jeans, jackets, and shirts. The company is committed to using 50% recycled materials in its products by 2025.

Upcycled Clothing

Upcycling is the process of taking old clothing items and turning them into something new. It is a sustainable way to reduce waste and create new clothing items without the need for new materials. Upcycled clothing is often unique and one-of-a-kind. This is because it is made from materials that would otherwise be discarded. This type of sustainable fashion requires creativity and imagination. This can be a fun and rewarding way to express your personal style.

There are a few reasons why there aren’t more upcycled clothing in production.

Limited availability of materials: Upcycled clothing requires materials that would otherwise be discarded. These materials can be difficult to source, especially in large quantities.
High cost of production: Upcycling can be more expensive than traditional clothing production, as it requires more time and labor.
Limited demand: Upcycled clothing is not as widely demanded as traditional clothing. This is because it is a relatively new and niche market.
Lack of awareness: Many people are not aware of the benefits of upcycled clothing. This can make it difficult to create demand for this type of clothing.

According to GrandViewResearch.com, the global textile recycling market size was valued at 4,632.4 million USD in 2022 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.2% from 2023 to 2030. The researchers have cited that the rising environmental concern about textile waste production and growing social awareness about textile recycling is expected to propel the market growth. I would also like to add that inflation could be another key factor in helping to boost this trend to mainstream usage.

At the moment, there are a few companies that getting ahead of the trend by using upcycled clothing. Here are a few examples:

Everlane: Everlane is a sustainable clothing brand that uses upcycled materials in some of its products. For example, the company’s “Remade” collection is made from recycled denim.
Mara Hoffman: Mara Hoffman is a sustainable fashion brand that uses upcycled materials in many of its products. For example, the company’s “Upcycled Swimwear” collection is made from recycled plastic bottles.
Patagonia: Patagonia is an outdoor clothing brand that has a line of upcycled clothing called “Common Threads Initiative.” The collection includes items made from recycled materials, such as old tents and sleeping bags.
Tentree: Tentree is a sustainable clothing brand that uses upcycled materials in some of its products. For example, the company’s “T-shirts for the Planet” collection is made from recycled plastic bottles.

When choosing eco-friendly fabrics and clothing, it’s important to look for certifications like the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) or the Better Cotton Initiative (BCI). These certifications ensure that the materials and manufacturing processes meet certain environmental and social standards. By choosing organic cotton, hemp, bamboo, Tencel, recycled polyester, or upcycled clothing, you can help to reduce your environmental impact and support more sustainable fashion practices.

In addition to choosing eco-friendly fabrics and clothing, there are other ways to make your wardrobe more sustainable. Try to buy clothing items that are made to last, rather than disposable fashion trends. Choose second-hand or vintage clothing items when possible, and consider donating or selling your old clothing items instead of throwing them away.