The Benefits of Buying Natural Fiber Clothing
By Cora Gold
The fashion industry is notorious for using gallons of water and toxic “forever” chemicals, all to produce flimsy garments that will not stand the test of time. Opting for natural clothing made from renewable materials like organic cotton, linen, or bamboo can significantly reduce your ecological footprint.
Learn how to make your wardrobe more sustainable with natural-fiber clothing. It has numerous benefits for people living green lifestyles if you’re looking for something new to wear.
What Is Natural Fiber Clothing?
Natural fiber clothing is any apparel made from naturally occurring sources like plants or animals. People may prefer wearing it if they have green values, a carbon-neutral lifestyle, or want a vegan-friendly wardrobe. There are numerous options to explore, including:
> Seed fibers made into linen and cotton
> Animal-based collagen fibers turned into genuine leather or wool
> Bast fibers drawn from plants like pineapple and abaca
> Leaf fibers such as flax and ramie
> Grass fibers, including wheat and corn
These wardrobe options require some manufacturing but don’t have the same environmental impact as fabrics like polyester. You can find them from organic, eco-friendly, or higher-end clothing brands.
Why People Buy Natural Fiber Clothes
Natural fiber wardrobe additions do more than expand your clothing possibilities. They also make your closet greener in a few specific ways.
1. They Might Have Smaller Carbon Footprints
Natural fiber is better for the planet because it can have a relatively small carbon footprint. Fiber and leather don’t require synthetic polymers like polyester blends. Plant-based apparel can also break down in a landfill without releasing chemicals into the surrounding environment. A natural fiber outfit’s carbon footprint will stay small from manufacturing to disposal.
2. They Can Be Recyclable
The thick wool sweater that isn’t your style anymore doesn’t have to end up in a landfill. Some recycling plants accept natural-fiber clothing because it can break down. It gives everyone another disposal option besides throwing clothes away or donating them. You may enjoy becoming part of this movement if you live near a participating recycling center.
3. They May Biodegrade
Even if you want to build a capsule wardrobe with everything you’ll need throughout the season, those clothes will rip, stretch out of shape and fall apart with time. When throwing things out is your only option, you’ll feel better knowing that your natural-fiber apparel will gradually break down instead of sitting in a landfill for decades or centuries.
4. They Often Use Fewer Chemicals
Polyester, a fabric popularly used in everything from athleisure wear to office attire, uses oil-based polyethylene terephthalate to maintain elastic moisture resistance. Naturally occurring fibers don’t have the same chemical makeup. Their genetic composition ensures the fabric’s durability, so chemical treatments aren’t necessary.
The environment benefits from this if your clothes join a landfill one day. Otherwise, you get to immediately enjoy their chemical-free composition as soon as you wear them. The microplastics and compounds won’t rub off on your skin, which could give you more peace of mind if you try to avoid chemicals in your daily life.
5. They May Be Good for Sensitive Skin
If you’ve ever felt your skin crawl after putting on pants or a T-shirt, you’re not alone. Some synthetic fabrics irritate sensitive skin. It could have happened due to the clothing’s texture or the chemical composition.
Natural fibers are breathable and antimicrobial, preventing sweat or bacteria from accumulating. Clean skin may feel less irritated. Talk with a dermatologist about how your wardrobe might affect you if you have eczema or another skin condition. They may recommend trying natural fiber apparel to see the difference it makes.
Upgrade Your Wardrobe With Fiber-Forward Shopping
By choosing natural clothing over cheaply made, mass-produced items, you can support ethical and environmentally responsible practices in the fashion industry while enjoying high-quality, long-lasting garments that are better for Mother Earth. If you want a greener wardrobe, look for attire with tags that list only naturally occurring fibers. You may feel more comfortable inside and out after trying a new kind of clothing.
About the author: Cora Gold is a sustainability writer who aims to live a healthy, low-waste lifestyle. Read more from Cora in Revivalist magazine, LinkedIn and Twitter.