The Top 7 Sustainable Fabrics for 2023

With the tremendous growth of the textile industry in recent years, the world has been introduced to a wide range of fabrics. Some were low-cost, unethically sourced materials that were easy to mass-produce and were used to make fast-fashion clothing. Some, on the other hand, were made to last; they do not exploit the natural resources for production nor do they pollute the environment.

The growth of conscious consumers has changed the demand for clothing materials. Sustainable fabrics are in high demand. Consumers are educated and aware, and they check if the garment is made from sustainable fabrics.

What is a sustainable fabric?

A fabric can be claimed to be sustainable if it is made from natural materials or recycled materials with the purpose of minimizing the negative impact on the environment throughout its manufacturing process. Sustainable fabrics are required to be biodegradable or disposed of in an environment-friendly way. These fabrics can also be defined as those that use less water, emit fewer greenhouse gasses, require fewer chemicals, and so on while being manufactured.

What are the most popular sustainable fabrics?

1. Linen: It is made from flax plants. It is a naturally sourced material and hence, biodegradable. It is soft and comfortable; hence most people also love it for bedding. It is a durable fabric.

2. Tencel: It is a kind of lyocell that is ethically sourced following sustainable practices. It is made from wood pulp from the trees, just like the rayon viscose, but the chemicals used are less harmful to humans.

3. Organic wool: It is a compostable material sourced from animals. In a few cases, there was animal abuse noticed in the industry; hence, one has to be sure of how it was sourced.

4. Organic cotton: It is organically produced and uses considerably less water than virgin cotton. It does not go through chemical fertilization. They are genetically modified to avoid allergies.

5. Bamboo: Bamboo is fast-growing and doesn’t need as much fertilization as other crops. Only, one has to be sure of the production process. Whether chemicals were used or not. If mechanically produced, bamboo is one of the favorite sustainable materials of companies to create sustainable garments.

6. Hemp: It is made from hemp, which is a kind of cannabis plant. It doesn’t require pesticides, is durable, and doesn’t affect the skin.

7. Recycled polyester: This polyester is considerably less harmful than virgin polyester. It also needs fewer resources, avoiding the exploitation of the environment for the sake of fashion. It has lesser carbon emissions than virgin polyester.

These fabrics have their own environmental benefits and are widely chosen. But one must be aware of the fact that various brands are “greenwashing”. Hence, we must check for certifications while buying. Only tagging a garment as “sustainable fabric” does not make it sustainable. 

Know your fabric to buy better forever.