9 Sustainable Fabrics to Look Out For
Keep Your Eyes Open for These Sustainable Fabrics
When it comes to using fabrics for the fashion industry, we can no longer turn a blind eye. We now know that many of the fabrics being used for clothing - and textiles, in general – are far more than just unfriendly to the planet. So, it’s now more important than ever to educate ourselves on the more sustainable alternative fabrics out there – and get using them.
While there are LOTS of new and exciting innovative fabrics changing the fashion and textile space right now, here are 9 that are already readily used. How many have you heard of?
ECONYL ® Nylon
Let’s start with the fabric that we use, here at COSMOKINI. Fishing nets and other synthetic post-consumer waste found in the oceans is used to create yarn which is then spun to form this incredible regenerated Nylon. Both recycled and recyclable, ECONYL ® Nylon makes the process circular, clearing the oceans of pollution and crafting a high-quality fabric that feels and looks just like regular Nylon.
Organic Cotton
Most of us now know that cotton – one of the most widely used fabrics – is not too friendly for the environment. From the huge amounts of water it takes to produce to greenhouse gas emissions and soil degradation, cotton consumption must be reduced. While organic cotton still has its cons compared to other more sustainable fabrics, it is grown without the harmful pesticides and fertilisers of regular cotton which help to reduce pollution and contamination of local water sources.
Lyocell
Lyocell is a man-made – but not synthetic - cellulose fibre fabric crafted using natural wood pulp. Lyocell is often used in replacement of cotton for garments and textiles, such as bedding, and is favoured because its production uses much less water consumption while its hand-feel and softness are just as good, if not better than cotton!
Hemp
Out of all of these fabrics, you’ve probably heard of hemp. Crafted using plant fibres, hemp is often used to create fashion garments and is known for its durability and strength when compared to cotton.
Bamboo Cotton
A fabric that is quickly becoming popular in the western market now is bamboo cotton. With a very similar look and feel to cotton, this is made using the pulp of bamboo grass. Bamboo requires no pesticides or fertilisers to grow and replenishes naturally and quickly, making it a great cotton alternative.
Piñatex
An incredible vegan leather alternative, Piñatex is crafted from pineapple leaf fibres and is a food bi-product, making it super sustainable and eco-friendly. With a supple and high-end texture, it is commonly used already for a wide range of accessories, including handbags and shoes. Luxury brands, such as Hugo Boss have already invested in full collections crafted in Piñatex.
Apple Leather
A lesser-known leather alternative that is starting to gather momentum now is apple leather. Yes, you read that right. That’s a leather fabric made from apple skins. A bi-product of the apple juice industry, this bio-based material is often blended with a synthetic coating to create a unique but beautiful leather-like fabric.
Orange Silk
Again, a bi-product of the juice industry is orange silk. Creating a silk-like super soft and lightweight fabric, the leftover orange peel from the juice industry is used, making it another super sustainable alternative for the lesser sustainable silk. Famously used for a range of dresses and tops by H&M in their Conscious Exclusive collection.
Tencel ®
Made with wood pulp, Tencel ® is a type of rayon fabric that looks and feels incredibly light and soft to the touch. Mostly used for dresses and other clothing items, Tencel ® is a branded form of the previously discussed Lyocell fabric – so keep a lookout for either!
So, the question is, would you prefer to buy an item made from one of these sustainable fabrics? And will you be keeping a lookout for them in the future?
We know one thing for sure, you can shop ECONYL ® Nylon-made swimwear right here on COSMOKINI – and that’s a great start!