Natural Fibers Clothing: Cozy Up To This Wardrobe Change
Natural fiber clothing is any form of clothing made from cotton, linen, wool, or some combination (i.e. from plants or animals, and not from chemical compounds). If feeling good is as important to you as looking good, natural fiber clothing is the place to start. Natural fiber clothing is easier on the body and the environment. So you get to feel better in your skin and feel better about your relationship with our planet.
What is natural fiber clothing?
It’s in the name — natural fibers are made by nature and not through a chemical process.
If you’re trying to figure out the difference between natural fibers and those that aren’t, look at where they come from. Pro tip: cotton, linen, and wool are considered the best natural fiber options. So, when you’re shopping — look for those in the tag. If it says polyester, that is not a natural fiber!
Cotton, linen, and wool are all considered the best natural fibers for clothing by default, but the way these fibers are produced leads some to consider them less natural and less organic.
Why switch to natural fibers clothing?
Longer-lasting, breathable, kind to the earth, biodegradable…that’s just the start.
Longer-lasting
Natural clothing fibers are more sustainable, for starters. They are stronger and last longer. This means less waste, fewer shopping trips (a bonus for those of us who intend on keeping a minimal closet). In short, clothes that are worth their value.
Biodegradable
And if your worn-out, natural fiber clothing ends up needing a new home, they’re biodegradable! That translates to less pollution and waste.
Breathable
Natural fiber clothing is vastly more breathable than their synthetic counterparts. Don’t forget that our skin is actually the largest organ of our bodies. These clothes simply help you take care of your skin, and smell good too.
Allergy friendly
This is without even mentioning that natural fibers are a lot easier on people with allergen sensitivities!
Who’s to say you can’t feel good and look good? Natural fibers are excellent at framing the body in more flattering ways avoiding the scratchy, stuffy feeling of some synthetic materials.
And the comfort and breathability of these fabrics is sure to come out in the way it affects your mood and day-to-day activities.
Why you should skip on most synthetic fibers
Not biodegradable (more waste)
Not moisture absorbing
Less allergy friendly
Less resistant to melting and burning
Less tolerant of various weather conditions such as rain, snow
Synthetic fibers do have some benefits that natural fibers lack and very few people can have a completely natural wardrobe. Nonetheless, making steps to use more natural fiber clothing will leave you feeling more free, comfortable, and at home with nature and your body.
Where to find natural fiber clothing
Natural fiber clothing, if you really want to maximize your kindness to the environment, is best found used. Ebay, thrift stores, Goodwill, and clothing swaps with friends are all on the table. But, if you don’t love used clothes, Etsy actually has a wonderful market full of natural fiber clothing.
Natural fibers are honestly great for sewing as well. A fun reason to pick up a new hobby or expand upon an existing one.
Not all natural fibers are as nature-friendly
So you’re shopping and you find some cotton t-shirts. Perfect! But, we do have to mention — some natural fibers, although they start nature-made, aren’t always organic.
Some cotton, for example, is grown with a heavy amount of dangerous pesticides and chemicals, whereas other kinds of organic cotton are grown and harvested in a much safer, more environmentally friendly way (which is what we all want, right?).
Common synthetic fibers
These are the material types you’ll want to avoid when checking those clothing tags out while shopping!
Rayon
Nylon
Polyester
Acrylic
Looking good and feeling good about your impact on the environment
Anyone else ready to cozy up in their linen bedding and cotton sweaters? It’s clear at this point that natural fiber clothing has some pretty dramatic benefits compared to synthetic clothing. Biodegradability, breathability, durability, comfortability, when considered, all leave natural fibers as the obvious choice. Save this to Pinterest or check out some other sustainability choices that will improve your lifestyle and this planet we share.