10 Sustainable Fabrics and How Eco-friendly They Are

Luxurious storefronts, red carpeted or rough-industrial catwalks, bright photo shootings, interesting documentaries, boulevards of stars and streets of style, work environments, second hand vintage baskets. Fashion and us in them all.

But, we usually tend to see and focus on the end product. The garment, the accessory, the shoe, the… product. Many times, the raw material seems to escape our horizon, and not only the raw material per se, but its provenance, its history and all the parameters that influenced and conditioned its production.

Fortunately, lately we do note a shift of the tendencies. Conscience has entered dynamically the scene and even if -still shy- the change is present and constant. Raw materials and fabrics are an issue of concern; as is Sustainability!

-If, as Marley once said, “The biggest man was once a baby” then we can also accept that our favourite hoodie was once a sheep (or an alpaca!)-

5 Sustainable Fashion Statistics for 2023

1. 67% of consumers consider sustainable materials to be a factor in purchasing a fashion item
2. 53% of men and 47% of women in the UK buy from sustainable brands
3. 75% of Gen Z respondents said they bought pre-owned clothes to reduce consumption
4. The fashion industry is responsible for 2.1 billion tonnes of CO2 emissions each year
5. 93% of brands don’t pay their workers a living wage

We read five, but there are far more stats and data concerning the present and future of Fashion and the turn (both of the Industry and the Consumers) to more Sustainable methods, ways and habits.

10 Sustainable Fabrics

Every (or almost every) artist or artisan will all tell you the same: Knowledge, practice and imagination; but tools as well. And if for the poet is the word, for the painter the canvas and the colour, for the fashion designer is the fabric, the thread! And it would really make a difference if the tools (of any kind) were Sustainable and Eco-friendly!

We must admit though, that from the pandemic on – and in some cases even before – several fashion brands have shown remarkable reflexes and are trying to adopt and implement new MO’s in order to be aligned with the reality we live in.

The turn to Sustainable Fabrics & Eco-Friendly production methods are proofs of positive change.

So, some of the most Sustainable Fabrics? Here are 10!

1. Organic & Recycled Cotton

Organic cotton is one of the most natural fabrics. No pesticides, no synthetic fertilizers, no chemicals. 62% less energy and 88% less water is needed compared to conventional cotton production. Recycled Cotton is produced using post-industrial or post-consumer waste. A preferred fabric of several slow fashion brands.

Recycled Cotton is made from fabric scrap or other recycled cotton garments.

2. Organic Hemp

One of the eco-friendliest fabrics. High-yielding, not harmful for the soil and less water is needed for its production than cotton. Hemp is a negative raw material, it is naturally sun protective and antimicrobial. Somewhat hard to grow though, thus a bit more expensive than other fabrics.

3. Organic Linen

In terms of Sustainability Organic Linen is very similar to Hemp. It is a light, breathable and derived from flax. For its production, very little fertilizers, pesticides and irrigation are needed but it is not as high-yielding as Hemp.

4. Lyocell

Also know as TENCEL™. Semi-synthetic and produced from the pulp of eucalyptus trees. Low water and pesticides needs during its production and up to 99,5% of dissolving agents can be reused.

5. Econyl

Econyl is actually recycled nylon. It is made from synthetic waste (ocean plastic, fishing nets and other sources of fabric waste). Low water production needs but still, microplastics is an issue.

6. Cork

A good choice for vegan bags and shoes. It is a tree derived fabric (cork oak) and one of its positive effects is that cork plantations absorb carbon. After its harvest is sun-dried and after treatment with water is ready to use. Cork plantations can also be essential components for the maintenance of ecosystems.

7. Silk

Produced by wild silkworms or domesticated ones (bred under natural conditions: no fungicides, sprays or insecticides). A soft fabric with 100% compostability. During its production, in theory, worms are not harmed but ethical concerns do exist.

Recently, several brands experiment with Silk made by yeast, sugar and water.

8. Wool (Alpaca, Sheep and Merino)

Sheep wool is a good alternative to nylon and polyester. It is durable, biodegrades naturally and doesn’t need lots of chemicals during the processing stages. However, animal welfare and some ethical concerns do exist.

Alpaca is one of the most ethical and eco-friendly fabrics. Most Alpaca population is raised in its native habitat, Peru and in general, Alpacas support local economies.

Merino is another type of sheep wool. Most of it comes from Australia. Sadly a controversial procedure called Mulesing is still used, but ethical Merino exists, especially in New Zealand where this practice is not applied.

9. Cashmere

A very soft, eco-friendly, fully biodegradable fabric. It’s sourced from goats raised mostly in Asia. Unfortunately, it’s associated with a lot of environmental and ethical issues. Fortunately, it can be sourced sustainably. Several brands have stopped using virgin cashmere fibres and use recycled cashmere.

10. QMilk

Considered a Material of the future! Casein, a milk protein, is used for its production. It is a natural, compostable, flame retardant, and smooth fabric. QMilk is sustainable but not Vegan.

The aforementioned are just some of the Sustainable Fabrics available; in the future will surely emerge even more! Planet Earth seems to need it.

Generation Z seems to have received the message; Sustainability is truly important to young people. They buy wiser and pay attention to all details. Brands that use eco-friendly methods and sustainable fabrics are preferred. Second-hand-vintage clothes are a must! The support of local brands always helps. Circular economy and even the passing of clothes from one sibling to the other or from one fiend to another helps enormously. Any action that reduces negative impact is welcome.

The slogan of one of Levi’s latest Campaigns: Buy better, Wear Longer might actually mean, buy less! Minimalism could save us!

Brands like Plant Face, Ninety Percent or Toms have adopted methods that respect animal welfare, plant rights and promote socioeconomic equity. Dockers supports and plays a central role in this shift, using innovative techniques that reduce water consumption, making its own fabrics and launching campaigns that inform and promote positive attitudes. With a general approach that is green and not greenwashed, the brand that created Casual Elegance, is now working and researching in order to create a better and proper environment!

Ethics must finally find its way out of the philosophical dissertations and into the streets and alleys; into all of fashion´s methods and processes; from ideation to realisation!