From pure Egyptian Makò cotton to vegetable leather: discover six sustainable materials for an ethical and quality wardrobe.
Index
- Hemp: an excellent alternative to traditional cotton.
- Linen: sustainable fashion meets quality, excellence and comfort.
- Pure Egyptian cotton Makò: a sustainable fabric of the highest quality.
- TENCEL: a sustainable fabric that comes from the foresta.
- Vegetable leather: sustainable fashion revisits animal fabrics in a green key.
- A winning fabric pair: Merino wool and silk.
- Conclusion: an impeccably “green” wardrobe.
Introduction
If you are a sustainable lifestyle person and want to make a difference starting with your wardrobe, you are in the right place! Read on to find out how you can contribute to sustainable fashion and make conscious choices for your look by choosing the best eco-friendly materials.
One of the biggest sources of pollution on the planet today is the fashion industry. It is therefore becoming increasingly important to make conscious choices and prefer eco-friendly fabrics to safeguard our planet. But what are the best materials for sustainable fashion?
There are six particularly eco-friendly fabrics we should consider: hemp, linen, organic cotton, TENCEL, wool and vegetable leather. Yes, you got it right, even leather, which is usually of animal origin, can be sustainable if you choose its plant-based alternative!
In this article, we will explore these six eco-friendly fabrics and find out why they can make a difference to our wardrobe and the environment. If you want to become a "fashion eco-warrior", read on to find out more about the best materials to choose for a sustainable wardrobe.
For more information on sustainable clothing we recommend reading the book "Vestire buono pulito e giusto" D. Casalini, Slow Food Editore, a comprehensive guide to the topic that will help you make a difference by choosing the right items to put in your wardrobe. Visit this link to purchase the book.
1. Hemp: an excellent alternative to traditional cotton
Among environmentally friendly fibres, hemp has become a favourite fabric for sustainable fashion. And no wonder: hemp is strong, versatile and durable, perfect for the production of textiles, paper, cosmetics and even food.
Speaking of fashion, hemp is extremely useful! Lightweight, soft and breathable fabrics are just some of the characteristics that make hemp ideal for summer garments. Moreover, thanks to its durability, hemp garments last a long time, resisting wear and tear and retaining their shape for a long time.
Hemp is an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional cotton as it requires 50% less water to produce the same amount of fabric and also fewer pesticides. Choosing hemp clothing means making a smart choice for the environment and the health of the people involved in its cultivation. In addition, its durability makes it perfect for your sustainable wardrobe, offering durable, quality garments.
2. Linen: sustainable fashion meets quality, excellence and comfort
Linen is a real gem in the world of sustainable fashion. This natural fibre, produced from the flax plant, grows luxuriantly in Europe and Asia requiring less water and pesticides than cotton.
Not only is flax strong and durable, but it lasts up to three times longer than cotton according to a study by Cotton Incorporated. But it doesn't end there. Linen is a breathable fabric that absorbs moisture and dries quickly, making it perfect for hot summer days. And not only is it easy to wash, but it is also antibacterial, making it ideal for bedding and underwear. Choosing linen for your sustainable wardrobe means making the right choice for the environment and for yourself.
3. Pure Egyptian cotton Makò: a sustainable fabric of the highest quality
Have you ever heard of Egyptian Makò cotton? If you are looking for a high-quality, sustainable fabric for your wardrobe, Egyptian mako cotton is an excellent choice among sustainable fashion materials. This type of cotton is known for its softness, durability and strength, and is sustainably cultivated in the regions of the Nile Valley.
Egyptian makò cotton is considered one of the finest cotton materials in the world due to its long fibres, which make it a stronger and more durable fabric than other cotton varieties. In addition, Egyptian makò cotton is known for its softness, which makes it ideal for clothing, underwear and bed linen.
But it is not only the quality of the cotton that makes it an excellent choice for sustainable fashion. The cultivation of Egyptian makò cotton is very environmentally friendly, with the limited use of chemicals and the practice of efficient irrigation methods. Furthermore, the production of Egyptian makò cotton supports the local economy, creating jobs and supporting farming communities.
According to the Egyptian Ministry of Agriculture (2017), 90% of Egyptian cotton is grown by small farmers on small areas of land. Of these farmers, 70% use traditional cultivation techniques and do not use pesticides or chemical fertilisers.
Choosing Egyptian makò cotton for your wardrobe is a choice that is not only sustainable but also of great quality. Its durability makes it a 'long-life' fibre, which reduces the need to buy new garments frequently. Moreover, its environmentally friendly production supports the health of our planet, making Egyptian makò cotton an eco-friendly choice that will make you feel good inside and out.
If you want to learn more about the history of Egyptian Makò cotton, read this article.
4. TENCEL: a sustainable fabric that comes from the forest
If you are looking for eco-friendly fabrics for your wardrobe, TENCEL clothing is a great choice for sustainable fashion. This cellulose fabric is made from eucalyptus wood fibres sourced from sustainable forests and grown without the use of pesticides or chemical fertilisers.
The production process of TENCEL uses a closed loop that drastically reduces the use of water and chemicals, with 99% of the water used in the production process being recovered. This makes it one of the most environmentally sustainable materials on the market.
TENCEL stands out from other fabrics due to its softness, lightness and breathability, making it ideal for summer clothing, underwear and bed linen. In addition, the fabric is highly resistant to creasing and warping, retaining its shape and lasting longer than other materials.
Choosing TENCEL for your wardrobe means making a sustainable and conscious choice. Not only is it produced in an environmentally friendly way, but its durability means that it will last for a long time, reducing the frequency of buying new garments. TENCEL is completely biodegradable and compostable, reducing the environmental impact at the end of its life.
5. Vegetable leather: sustainable fashion revisits animal fabrics in a green key
If you are a fashion lover and concerned about the environment, vegetable leather is now both an environmentally friendly and 'trendy' choice for your wardrobe. This type of leather is made using natural materials that replace the chemicals used in traditional leather tanning processes.
Vegetable leather can be produced using a variety of fabrics, such as pineapple fibre, cork and cedar wood, which come from sustainable and renewable sources. Furthermore, the production process of vegetable leather uses less water and energy than traditional leather, reducing the environmental impact.
Not only is vegetable leather a good choice for sustainable fashions but also for style and comfort. Its softness, flexibility and durability make it perfect for bags, shoes and accessories. In addition, vegetable leather garments are resistant to stains and water, making them suitable for everyday use.
Choosing vegetable-tanned leather for your wardrobe means making a sustainable and ethical choice, as no environmentally harmful chemicals are used to produce it.
6. A winning fabric pair: Merino wool and silk
f you are looking for a high-quality, sustainable fabric for your wardrobe, the combination of Merino wool and silk is an excellent choice. These two fibres complement each other perfectly, creating a fabric that is light and breathable, yet warm and durable.
Merino wool is known for its ability to regulate body temperature, keeping the body warm during winter and cool during summer. In addition, Merino wool is also resistant to creases and stains, ensuring a long garment life.
Silk, on the other hand, gives rise to a luxurious fabric soft to the touch. Thanks to its natural breathability, silk can regulate body moisture, keeping the skin cool and dry. Silk is also pigment-resistant and has a natural sheen that lends a touch of elegance to any garment.
The combination of Merino wool and silk, therefore, creates a high-quality, sustainable fabric that offers numerous advantages. The ability to regulate body temperature, the wrinkle and stain resistance and the natural lustre of silk make these fibres a winning pair for those seeking sustainable, high-quality fashion.
If you would like to try this combination of materials on your skin, visit Oscalito's collection of Merino Wool and Silk garments made in Italy.
Conclusion: an impeccably “green” wardrobe
Did you ever think that sustainable fashion and impeccable style could be synonymous? Well yes, there are many quality eco-friendly materials with which you can have a wardrobe that respects the environment and makes you feel top-notch on every occasion!
From organic fabrics such as TENCEL to hemp and organic cotton, the choice of sustainable materials for your wardrobe is vast and varied. Not only are these materials free of harmful chemicals, but they are also produced using environmentally friendly processes and are often 100% recyclable.
But the benefits of dressing green are not only limited to your style and the planet: wearing clothes made from environmentally friendly fabrics also means protecting your health and that of the people working in the textile chain. In fact, many traditional materials contain toxic chemicals that can have harmful effects on human health.
And, contrary to what some people may think, sustainable fashion is becoming more and more stylish: luxury fashion and streetwear brands are adopting eco-friendly fabrics, proving that fashion and sustainability can go hand in hand.
Investing in an eco-friendly wardrobe does not necessarily mean spending more: many brands offer affordable prices for clothes and accessories made from sustainable fabrics.
The future of fashion is green and if you want to keep up with the times, there is nothing better than adopting an impeccably sustainable wardrobe.