The Benefits of Wearing Clothing Made With Natural Fabrics

In recent years, there has been a rising awareness of the benefits of wearing natural fibers and materials.  In this post, I explore some of the benefits of wearing clothing made with natural fibers.  

There are actually many great options when considering natural fiber clothes and more brands are starting to meet the growing demand of natural fiber fabrics.

Even if you are not ready for the switch, it is good to be aware of the benefits of natural fibers.  Next time you are shopping, pay attention to the materials that go into your clothing so you can make the best informed purchase.  

This blog post contains affiliate links, and I will receive a small commission if purchased. Thank you for your support as I continue to create quality content. 

What are Natural Fabrics?

Natural fabrics are derived from natural sources such as plants, animals, or minerals. Here’s a list of some popular natural fabrics:

Cotton: Soft, breathable, and versatile, cotton is one of the most widely used natural fabrics. It’s derived from the cotton plant’s fibers.

Linen: Made from the fibers of the flax plant, linen is known for its lightweight, breathable, and absorbent qualities. It’s often used for summer clothing and home textiles.

Silk: Produced by silkworms, silk is a luxurious and lustrous fabric with excellent draping qualities. It’s commonly used in high-end fashion and home decor.

Wool: Wool comes from the fleece of sheep or other animals like goats (cashmere and mohair) or rabbits (angora). It’s known for its warmth, softness, and natural elasticity.

Hemp: Hemp fabric is made from fibers of the hemp plant. It’s durable, strong, and eco-friendly, with a texture similar to linen.

Bamboo: Bamboo fabric is derived from the pulp of bamboo plants. It’s soft, breathable, and moisture-wicking, making it ideal for activewear and undergarments.

Jute: Jute is a vegetable fiber derived from the jute plant. It’s coarse, strong, and commonly used for making burlap sacks and rugs.

Ramie: Ramie fiber comes from the stalks of the ramie plant. It’s similar to linen in texture and appearance, but often more lustrous and stronger.

Alpaca: Alpaca wool comes from the fleece of alpacas, native to South America. It’s soft, lightweight, and known for its thermal properties.

Cashmere: Cashmere wool is obtained from the soft undercoat of cashmere goats. It’s extremely soft, lightweight, and insulating, making it highly prized for luxury garments.

These are just a few examples of natural fabrics, each with its own unique characteristics and uses.

What are Synthetic Fibers and What is Synthetic Clothing? 

Synthetic fibers and fabrics are man-made materials created through chemical processes rather than being sourced directly from natural substances like plants or animals. These fibers are engineered to possess specific qualities such as strength, durability, flexibility, and resistance to elements like moisture, chemicals, and pests. 

Here’s some common examples of synthetic fibers include polyester, nylon, acrylic, and spandex.

Synthetic fibers are typically derived from petrochemicals, which are compounds from petroleum or natural gas. They are formed through processes like polymerization, where small molecules (monomers) are chemically bonded together to form long chains (polymers). These polymers are then spun into fibers or filaments, which can be further processed to create fabrics for various applications.

There is some good news. Synthetic fabrics offer several advantages over natural fibers, including:

Durability: Synthetic fibers tend to be more resistant to wear and tear than natural fibers, making them suitable for use in clothing, upholstery, and other applications that require long-lasting materials.

Moisture management: Many synthetic fibers have hydrophobic properties, meaning they repel moisture and dry quickly. This makes them ideal for activewear and outdoor gear where moisture wicking and fast drying are important.

Versatility: Synthetic fibers can be engineered to mimic the properties of natural fibers or to have entirely new characteristics. This versatility allows for a wide range of applications across industries such as fashion, automotive, and healthcare.

Cost-effectiveness: Synthetic fibers are often cheaper to produce than natural fibers, making them an economical choice for mass-produced items.

However, synthetic fibers also have some drawbacks, including their environmental impact and the use of harmful chemicals. Many synthetic fibers are derived from non-renewable resources and can take a long time to degrade in the environment. Efforts are underway to develop more sustainable alternatives to traditional synthetic fibers, such as bio-based and recycled materials.

When was the introduction of man-made fibers and synthetic fabrics? 

The first introduction to man-made fabrics can be traced back to the late 19th century. One of the earliest synthetic fibers was rayon, which was developed in the 1880s as an alternative to silk. Nylon, another significant synthetic fiber, was invented by Wallace Carothers at DuPont in 1935. Polyester, another widely used synthetic fiber, was patented in 1941. These developments marked the beginning of the era of synthetic textiles in the clothing industry, offering alternatives to natural fibers like cotton, wool, and silk.  

The fashion industry has jumped on the bandwagon of synthetic fabrics since they are much cheaper to produce and do have alternative benefits to natural fabric clothing.

Benefits of Wearing Natural Fibers

Clothing made with the use of natural fabrics and fibers offers a host of benefits, both for the wearer and the environment. Here are some of the key advantages as to why natural fiber clothing is a great choice. 

Breathability: Natural fibers like cotton, linen, and wool are breathable materials, allowing air to circulate through the fabric. This helps to regulate body temperature, keeping you cool in hot weather and warm in cooler temperatures.

Comfort: Natural fibers tend to be softer and more comfortable against the skin compared to synthetic materials. They have a luxurious feel and are less likely to cause irritation or allergic reactions.

Moisture Absorption: Natural fibers have excellent moisture-wicking properties, meaning they can absorb sweat away from the body and allow it to evaporate, keeping you feeling dry and comfortable in a breathable fabric. 

Durability: While some natural fibers may require special care, they are generally durable and long-lasting. With proper care, garments made from natural fibers can withstand regular wear and washing, often outlasting their synthetic counterparts.

Biodegradability: Natural fibers are derived from plant or animal sources, making them biodegradable. When disposed of, they break down naturally over time, reducing environmental impact compared to synthetic materials, which can take hundreds of years to decompose.

Sustainability: Clothing made from natural fibers can be more sustainable than synthetic alternatives. Many natural fibers are renewable resources, such as cotton, hemp, and bamboo, which can be harvested without causing long-term damage to the environment.

Versatility: Natural fibers come in a wide range of textures and weights, making them suitable for various types of clothing and styles. Whether you prefer lightweight cotton for summer dresses or cozy wool for winter sweaters, there’s a natural fiber option for every occasion.

Hypoallergenic: For those with sensitive skin or allergies, natural fibers are often a better choice than synthetic materials. They are less likely to cause skin irritation or allergic reactions, making them an excellent choice for people with sensitivities.

Aesthetic Appeal: Natural fibers often have a timeless, classic look and feel that adds a touch of elegance to any wardrobe. Whether it’s the crispness of linen, the softness of cotton, or the warmth of wool, natural textiles have an inherent beauty that enhances the appeal of clothing made from them.

Overall, clothing made with natural fibers offers a combination of comfort, durability, sustainability, and aesthetic appeal that makes them a popular choice for many consumers.

What Companies Produce Clothing Made With Natural Fabrics?

There are some companies that produce clothing with only natural fabric options.  While there are other, more predominate companies such as Patagonia and Prana that put an emphasis on natural fibers within their clothing lines.  Most of these companies focus on a sustainable choice and recycling materials.  Many do not produce 100% of their products from natural fabrics, but are transparent about their materials and provide better options for natural fibers and fabrics.  Most of these options produce high-quality clothing. 

Smartwool: This brand is known for the merino wool socks, but produce many other clothing products that are also 100% merino wool. 

Toad&Co:  Toad&Co is a quality outdoor brand that produces 100% cotton clothing or clothing made of recycled materials.  They have a lot of great information about cotton on their website.  I personally really like wearing this brand. 

Eileen Fisher: This brand focuses on sustainable and eco-friendly fashion, utilizing materials like organic cotton, linen, and Tencel.

Prana: Prana emphasizes sustainability and uses organic cotton, hemp, and recycled materials in their clothing lines.

Quince:  This brand is full of very helpful information about different fibers.  They also are actively working toward sustainability and creating more ethical and quality clothing for a more affordable price.  This brand is worth checking out. 

Thought: Formerly known as Braintree Clothing, Thought creates clothing using sustainable fabrics like organic cotton, bamboo, hemp, and Tencel.

Pact: Pact is a brand that offers affordable organic cotton clothing, including basics like t-shirts and underwear.

Patagonia: Known for its outdoor apparel, Patagonia uses organic cotton, hemp, and recycled materials in many of its products.

Amour Vert: This brand focuses on eco-friendly fashion and uses materials like organic cotton, Tencel, and linen.

United by Blue: This brand produces outdoor apparel using organic cotton, recycled polyester, and other sustainable materials. They also have a commitment to cleaning up the ocean, removing one pound of trash for every product sold.

Outerknown: Founded by professional surfer Kelly Slater, Outerknown creates clothing using sustainable materials like organic cotton, hemp, and recycled polyester.

These companies are just a few examples of those committed to using natural fabrics and sustainable materials in their clothing production.

Shoe Brands Made With Natural Materials

Several shoe brands prioritize sustainability and use natural materials in their products. Again, these companies and brands (for the most part) do not “solely” make their shoes out of natural fibers and fabrics.  Many of them focus on using natural materials along with recycled materials. There are many more brands offering footwear made from natural materials.  Listed below are a few you may be familiar with.

Allbirds: Known for their comfortable and stylish shoes, Allbirds uses materials like merino wool, eucalyptus tree fiber, and sugarcane-based SweetFoam™ insoles to create their footwear.

Veja: Veja produces stylish sneakers using environmentally friendly materials such as organic cotton, recycled polyester, and wild rubber sourced from the Amazon rainforest.

TOMS: Famous for its One for One® model, TOMS creates shoes using materials like organic cotton, recycled polyester, and responsibly sourced leather.

Adelante: Adelante crafts handmade leather shoes using sustainably sourced materials and a commitment to fair labor practices.

Nisolo: Nisolo offers ethically made footwear crafted from premium materials such as vegetable-tanned leather, recycled rubber, and natural fibers like cotton and jute.

Birkenstock: Renowned for their comfort and durability, Birkenstock sandals are made using natural materials like cork, leather, and suede.

Should I Make the Switch?

It’s always a good idea to be aware of what we are putting in and on our bodies. Does my entire wardrobe consist of natural fabric pieces? No it doesn’t. But I have found myself being more aware of what my clothes are made out of.

My goal in this post is to bring awareness to other fabric and fiber options and you shop. I do appreciate that more companies are offering natural fibers woven into their clothing. Some of my favorite pieces in my closet are made from natural fabrics.

Feel free to drop the names of your favorite companies that produce products made with natural fibers and fabrics in the comments!

Full disclosure, I do link many products on my blog that are not made of natural fibers for the sake of styling inspiration and convienence.

This blog post contains affiliate links, and I will receive a small commission if purchased. Thank you for your support as I continue to create quality content.

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