Eco-Friendly Fabrics That Will Revolutionize Your Wardrobe

Fashion and sustainability don’t always go hand-in-hand (after all, how many times do we think Lady Gaga rewore that meat dress?) But sometimes what’s good for the environment can also look beautiful. There are plenty of eco-friendly fabrics that are not only fashionable but are also gentle on our skin.

When looking for eco-friendly fabrics, you’ll want to take into account several factors in order to make an informed purchase. Choose fabrics that are made from natural fibers, biodegradable, and don’t require the use of pesticides or toxic chemicals. Here are 5 of the cutest and most eco-friendly fabrics you’ll want to add to your closet:

Organic Cotton

Grown organically, cotton is one of the most common and eco-friendly fabrics. Skip the nasty pesticides used in conventional cotton production and go for eco-friendly fabrics that use organic cotton. Natural dyes can help you rock any color without needing to rely on toxic, artificial dyes.

Currently, only a small percentage global cotton production is organic, but interest and demand is increasing. For example, Nike and even Walmart now incorporate organic cotton in their supply chains.

Industrial Hemp

Hemp is the mother of all eco-friendly fabrics. It’s quickly renewable and doesn’t need fertilizer, pesticides, or even that much attention to grow (unlike the rest of us). It also doesn’t deplete the soil of nutrients, which means repeat plantings won’t negatively affect the land.

The highly durable fibers soften over time, but withstand washing and wear almost 2x as long as cotton. Lightweight, breathable, and comfortable, hemp fabric also resists mold, mildew, and microbes.

Recycled Polyester

Sure, cast-off polyester fabric and soda bottles don’t exactly scream high fashion (unless you’re Lady Gaga). But recycled polyester can be used to make soft and beautiful eco-friendly fabrics that have a carbon footprint that’s 75% lower than regular polyester.

Many companies who make fabrics using recycled polyester remove toxic chemicals such as antimony from the polyester, making recycled polyester even more environmentally friendly.

Bamboo

Not only beautiful garden in a garden, bamboo also makes one of the best eco-friendly fabrics. Bamboo is incredibly renewable, biodegradable, and doesn’t require many chemicals to grow.

This makes for a fabric that breathes and has natural antibacterial properties. However, you do have to watch out for companies that use toxic chemicals to turn bamboo into fabric. Look for bamboo-based rayon on labels.

Tencel

Tencel comes from natural cellulose wood pulp. Not only are these raw wood materials sustainably harvested, but they’re also biodegradable and anti-bacterial.

Tencel needs even less water than cotton, and it’s one of the softest eco-friendly fabrics. It does require some chemical processing to turn it into fabric, but Lenzing Tencel uses closes loop processing to recycle these chemicals.

Eco-Friendly Fabrics: Good For The Skin And For Mother Nature

Skincare is about more than just finding a good moisturizer, as our clothes cover most of our body. Choosing eco-friendly fabrics that are free of toxic chemicals is integral to keeping your skin and your body healthy. When we take the time to make informed purchases, we put our health and the health of our planet first. And if you’re looking for other ways to care for your skin, check out the benefits of seaweed as a skincare ingredient.