A Natural Fabrics Guide: People Are Looking For What's Sustainable
A Natural Fabrics Guide: People are looking for what’s sustainable
At The Carbon Closet, we dedicate our time to providing you with only the most ethical and sustainable fabrics and materials in our products. Our expert research ensures you will skip the green-washing, and build a wardrobe that is truly eco-friendly. Many people think they can buy a cotton dress and call it a day in regards to the sustainability front, but if you’re an avid earth-lover, or have been following us for a while, you’ll know that this is not the case, and in fact, could be more damaging than good. As a result, we have put together this guide to help you navigate natural fabrics (yes, there’s more than just cotton), here are five materials that are actually worth your time and money.
Organic Cotton: Let’s kick-start with the obvious: Cotton is a naturally derived, breathable fabric that’s gentle on sensitive skin. It’s easily washed and easy to dye. However, cotton takes a lot of land to grow on, and dries it out heavily. Responsibly sourced cotton ensures that the earth is taken care of, as well as the plant. It is also crucial that no pesticides or other harsh chemicals were used when growing cotton crops, because this will only further damage the land and wildlife. When shopping, look for 100% Organic Cotton, as this reassures you that some consideration was put into the planet and your clothes. The Carbon Closet stocks hundreds of Organic Cotton products, for all your possible needs!
Hemp Hemp is a species of cannabis plant, but the only thing we’re addicted to here are the hemp-based products here at The Carbon Closet! It is 100% biodegradable yet remains a durable fabric for shoes and bags. Despite the potential disadvantage of it’s stiffness, hemp retains it’s strength and rigidness even when wet. Because of these properties, although used for sturdier garments likes jeans or outerwear, hemp is more commonly found in upholstery and home furnishings, or ropes, sails and other industrial equipment. Similarly to cotton, its breathability allows hemp to be constructed into a linen which enables an even broader range of sustainable products.
Jute Jute fabric comes from... You guessed it... The jute plant. It is the stalks that are harvested and used for the fibres that make up the material. Jute is breathable, long-lasting and durable. Due to it’s absorbent properties, it cannot be washed or exposed to moisture, therefore is not a good options for clothing, however is a perfect, biodegradable replacement for plastic or wood pulp in packaging, rope and twine- it is even used in geo-textiles to stabilise soil and plants. It is also a dutiful fabric for upholstery, bags and shoes – providing you don’t spill anything on it! The Carbon Closet stocks a range of jute products to help build your earthy, natural wardrobe.
Lyocell We are now headed into some forward thinking, sustainable fabrics. Lyocellis a eco-friendly replacement for viscose. It is made using wood-pulp and mixed with non-toxic solvent to maintain the sustainable ethics. It is soft, breathable, versatile and crease resistant. It is excellent for sportswear, especially due to its comfortability. Lyocell, alongside Modaland Ecovero are under the category of Tencel, produced by Australian company Lenzing. Many luxury brands are investing in this futuristic fabric and we cannot wait to see it take off. The Carbon Closet is no stranger to innovative fabrics like Lyocell and we proudly display a collection of Tencel products on our website.
Vegan Leathers Animal leather is arguably one of the most unethical products you can buy. Not only at the expense of animals’ lives, but also due to the whopping 17kg of CO2 emissions produced per square meter of fabric! But rather than depressing you with the negatives, let us introduce you to the vast world of vegan leathers! These alternative leathers are typically biodegradable, naturally sourced, produce less than half of animal leather carbon emissions and gives you the glam without the guilt. From apples, olives and oranges, to grapes, mushrooms and corn, there are so many vegan variations of leather- there is no longer an excuse! Explore the range on The Carbon Closet website.
Start your sustainable journey today! Start your sustainable wardrobe journey today! With so many innovative, eco-friendly fabrics available, building a closet that’s kind to the planet has never been easier. At The Carbon Closet, we’re here to guide you every step of the way — from everyday essentials to forward-thinking materials like Tencel and vegan leather.