Sustainable fabrics for a conscious consumer
July 09, 2019
Furthering the talk from the micro-fibres contaminating our oceans, I thought it would be ideal to write about what fabrics you could look for while picking a sustainable outfit!
What is sustainable/conscious fashion? There could be many answers to this question but the easiest one you should know and live by is investing in the right fabric, which is produced ethically.
I give you some fabrics which I personally love to buy/wear and do not strip the planet of its goodness. Natural fabrics are compostable while synthetic fabrics drain energy, release emissions and are non-biodegradable. The below mentioned are great alternatives to plastic-fibre based fabrics like polyester, nylon, acrylic, etc.
Organic Linen
My favourite natural fabric! While linen is known for being a bit rough on the skin and not crease-free , we should look at the fact that it keeps your body cool and well-ventilated during summers and cosy and warm in winters. Linen is produced from the flax plant, which can be grown without fertilisers and pesticides. It is completely biodegradable. It is light-weight and strong. Make sure there are no harmful dyes used to create your fabric though, otherwise it serves no purpose of sustainability.
Organic Cotton
Organic means the harvesting was done using no pesticides, fertilisers or toxic enhancement products. This type of cotton is usually softer and better quality than the traditional cotton because of less usage of chemicals. The production of organic cotton uses less water than traditional cotton which requires the most amount of water for production. It also reduces the negative impact of the usage of harmful chemicals used to produce conventional cotton. For these reasons, organic cotton has become a hit with the textile industry and is a wardrobe staple of every conscious consumer.
Hemp
Hemp is reigning, not just the fashion industry but many others including but not limited to skincare, food and others. This canabis crop grows easily and requires no chemicals. It is a versatile crop that naturally fertilises the soil. Amazing right? The reason I like it (apart from the sustainable fabric bit) is because it looks and feels an awful lot like linen! It is a strong fabric which has a tendency to crease a lot but is a known to last long. The features are similar to linen.
These are it!
Being a conscious consumer, I look at the labels before buying any outfit. I propose you to do the same. Make sure your outfit was ethically produced without causing any direct harm to animals, humans or the planet. Do some research on the brand before you buy, don’t just blindly believe the tags. Yes, it is a bit time consuming but hey, sustainability is all about slow fashion.
There are many brands who have started a conscious clothing line, where the clothes are manufactured from recycled or reclaimed fabrics! This is an excellent way to reduce waste problems! There is recycled polyester being used to make activewear but be sure to check the labels. I am aware of the complexities of natural fabrics like silk, wool, bamboo and leather, hence, I did not mention them.
And then there are innovations! Our scientists and textile industry experts are continually
working on bettering the textile options and making them more sustainable. I will definitely talk about those, soon!
And then there are innovations! Our scientists and textile industry experts are continually
working on bettering the textile options and making them more sustainable. I will definitely talk about those, soon!
Hope this bit of information on sustainable fabrics helps you shop better!
XO
Kimaya
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