Once upon a time, I was a fast fashion addict. But over the past few years, I have been dedicated to purchasing clothing made from natural fibers (unless thrifted). Here’s why:

1. 1. Better for the environment. Natural fibers biodegrade creating little to no impact on the environment. They also don’t leach microplastics into our waterways through washings.
   2. Better for your health. Ultimately synthetic fibers come from oil, which could adversely affect the skin.
   3. Better investment. The fast fashion industry has been producing cheap clothing that isn’t made to last. Natural fibers can hold up much longer with proper care.

Synthetic fibers could also be called plastic fibers. They are derived from petroleum or petrochemicals and wreak havoc on our ecosystems if not disposed of properly, and even then, they never truly decompose. Some common synthetic fibers are polyester, acrylic, nylon, and spandex. Even recycled plastic (like post-consumer water bottles) turned into fiber is the wrong choice for the fashion industry. Please read: 3 Reasons Fashion Should Be Plastic-Free (Including Recycled Plastic) for more information. However, I do think that recycled polyester over virgin polyester is always a better choice.

These up and coming fibers are game-changers for sustainable fashion. They are natural, vegan fibers that can replace animal and synthetic leather. You’ll be seeing more of these as development continues.

vegan

A high-performance textile spun from the same proteins as a spider’s web and created using biology, fermentation, and traditional textile production. The main input of this fiber-making process is sugar from plants that are grown, harvested and replanted. It’s a durable fiber with elasticity and softness. Learn more here.

vegan

MuSkin is a 100% vegetable alternative to animal leather. It comes from a big parasitic fungus that grows in the wild. MuSkin is made of the external peel of this mushroom. The material has a soft surface that is very similar to suede. Learn more here.

The base of Piñatex is a byproduct of pineapple harvesting – the leaves. Their new use creates an additional income stream for farming communities. Even the residual leaf biomass is used as natural fertilizer/biofuel. This material is completely biodegradable. Learn more here. | UPDATE 2/8/19 it was brought to my attention that this material is currently not as sustainable as previously thought. Here is a statement from their website, “Piñatex is made of natural fibers and polylactic acid fibers which is 100% biodegradable. The resins we currently use for coating are petroleum based and such are currently not biodegradable. We are excited to be working on bio-based coating which will take Piñatex to the forefront of sustainability.“

Zoa is the first biofabricated materials brand from Modern Meadow. It is able to be any density, hold to any mold, create any shape or size, take on any texture, and combine with any other material. Cells are designed at the DNA level to create micro-organisms that produce the proteins needed. Through fermentation, the cells are multiplied into billions of collagen-producing cell factories. These collagen proteins become the building blocks of the material. Learn more here.

RELATED POST: 3 Reasons Fashion Should Be Plastic-Free (Including Reycled Plastic)

Potentially one of the first natural fibers used in history according to archaeologists findings in 8000 BCE. Hemp might be the best, it uses less water than cotton, yields more crops, and is easy to manage (doesn’t need herbicides or pesticides). It also cleans and rejuvenates the soil. Hemp is a very durable, strong fabric. It’s one downfall is that it easily wrinkles.

Lenpur is a biodegradable fabric made from white pine tree clippings. It “offers the comfort of silk, the touch of cashmere and the lightness of linen.” It is a step above other cellulose fibers due to its softness, absorption capacity, ability to release dampness, and ability to sustain a higher thermal range keeping you cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter.

A lustrous fabric derived from the nettle plant. The fabric is made from the fibers within the stalks of the plant, not the barbs on the outer surface of the plant. Nettles have actually been used in food, fabrics and even medicine as far back as the 16th century. The plant grows almost uncontrollably making it highly renewable. Its related to flax and hemp, and can be used to produce a fine linen cloth, much stronger than linen and even increases strength when wet. It also blends nicely with other fibers and can help add softness and increase longevity.

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