Sustainability is a hot topic in the fashion industry, and for good reason. The way we produce and consume clothing has a huge impact on the environment. In recent years, there has been a growing interest in slow fashion or sustainable fashion, with more people looking for clothes that are made from sustainable materials. One of the most sustainable materials available is hemp. Hemp is durable, versatile, and environmentally friendly, making it a great choice for fashion designers who want to create eco-friendly designs.
In this blog post, we will explore the benefits of using hemp in fashion and discuss why it is such a sustainable choice.
Sustainable Fashion – What is Hemp Fabric?
Hemp is a plant that has around 100 different uses, one of which is its potential as a fabric.
Hemp fabric is made from bast fibers, which are extracted from the hemp plant stalk.
Hemp is naturally durable and water-resistant, which is why it’s also a popular choice for eco-friendly clothing and accessories. Hemp fabric is naturally hypoallergenic, making it an excellent choice for sensitive skin. It is also highly breathable and insulates the body from extreme temperatures, making it an ideal fabric for extremely warm and cold climates. It is also environmentally friendly, as it requires no pesticides or herbicides to grow. In fact, hemp actually helps to improve soil quality by releasing nutrients into the ground as it grows.
For all these reasons, hemp fabric is an increasingly popular choice for a wide range of applications.
Why is Hemp a Good Choice for Slow Fashion?
The fashion industry is one of the world’s most polluting, accounting for nearly 20% of all discarded clothing. The demand for fashionable clothing continues to rise, and this has resulted in over 300 million new garments being produced every year. This level of rapid production has led to an excess of fast-fashion garments and a subsequent increase in the rate at which they are discarded.
We now have more disposable clothing than ever before, which is why it’s so important that as an individual you make conscious decisions about your clothing choices.
Understandably, there are plenty of people who are hesitant when it comes to hemp fabric because they associate it with being unfashionable or a hippie aesthetic. However, hemp can be a great alternative to cotton or synthetic fibers when looking for natural materials that keep you cool in hot weather or warm in cold conditions. Hemp as slow fashion has many benefits over other fabrics making it the perfect material for eco-friendly clothing and accessories.
Hemp clothing is extremely durable and long-lasting, meaning you won’t have to replace it as often as other garments. It’s also easy to care for and doesn’t require any special treatments.
The Benefits of Hemp Fabric
- Durability
Unlike other fabrics, hemp is naturally very durable and can withstand the wear and tear of constant washing. Hemp fibers have been used to manufacture ropes (specially for shipping sails in ancient times), which is indicative of the material’s longevity and high tensile strength.
- Versatility
Hemp fabrics can be blended with other fibers like cotton, silk, or linen to make them softer. They can also be woven or knitted together to create different textures.
- Breathability
In slow fashion or eco fashion, hemp fabric is naturally porous which allows it to breathe, which is great for hot weather. It’s also naturally insulating and traps air which makes it ideal for cold weather.
- Eco-Friendly
Hemp has a low impact on the environment, so it’s a sustainable choice for eco-friendly clothing.
- Health Benefits
Hemp fabric is hypoallergenic, making it a great choice for sensitive skin. It also repels insects, so it’s perfect for those who want to avoid ticks and mosquitoes.
The Drawbacks of Using Hemp in Clothing
Although hemp is a great fiber for eco-friendly clothing, it does have a few drawbacks.
- Prone to Wrinkling
Hemp fabrics, like other natural fibers, do wrinkle. However, given how long hemp clothing lasts and that it becomes softer and more pleasant with time, this appears to be a reasonable price to pay.
- Hemp clothing, though sometimes expensive, can be worth the investment.
While the long-term cost of hemp clothing is lower than that of other fabrics, the initial cost can be higher. This is due to the fact that hemp isn’t as widely available as other fabrics and thus, the market hasn’t been able to drive down the price.
- Scratchy
Even though hemp is a very tough plant, it’s not the best material for itch-free clothes because of its rough fibers.The biggest downside of hemp fabric has been that it is usually stiff and scratchy, making it an unpleasant option for garments that would be in direct contact with skin.
Pro tip – Use hemp blended with cotton and bamboo to avoid the itchiness that is often associated with pure hemp.
- Shrinkage
As hemp is a natural fiber, it’s prone to shrinkage, but you can combat this by washing at a lower temperature or dry cleaning, and with blended fabric, shrinkage is barely noticeable. For 100% hemp fabric, dry cleaning is best to avoid shrinkage, and in blended fabric, shrinkage is minimum to even notice.
Hemp over Cotton?
Hemp is a fast-growing, sustainable crop that needs minimal maintenance and water. Producing hemp is better for the environment than other fabrics like cotton since it doesn’t require pesticides. Hemp grows quickly and can be harvested every 6 months, so it’s also a sustainable resource for fashion.
Cotton is a common fabric that is used for clothing and other textile products, but it’s not as sustainable as hemp. Cotton requires lots of water and pesticides to grow, and often relies on child labor when harvesting the crop
Famous Fashion Brands adapting Hemp Fabric
Hemp fabrics will always be associated with hippies and the 1970s, but now they’re making a comeback at the hands of eco-friendly fashion brands.
Due to the overwhelming evidence of pollution caused by the fashion industry, many fashion brands are beginning to take corrective actions.
Hemp fabrics are gaining popularity at the hands of brands like Patagonia, who are using hemp in their products. Patagonia is using hemp in many of its garments, including its iconic fleece jackets. It’s also used in their other products, like bags and t-shirts.
Other brands that are adapting hemp fabrics include Adidas, Levis, and even Ralph Lauren, and many more. There are now plenty of fashionable hemp clothing items on the market, whether you’re looking for a hemp shirt or a hemp jacket.
Final Words
Hemp is a great choice for sustainable fashion or slow fashion because of its durability, breathability, and eco-friendliness. It’s also been shown to improve the wearer’s moods and a secret ingredient for flawless Skin Care.
Whether you’re looking for sustainable clothing options or simply want to stand out from the crowd, hemp may be a good choice for you.
We hope we’ve inspired you to add some hemp clothing to your wardrobe.
Here are a few brands you can follow:
Have you ever worn hemp apparel? Let us know in the comments below what your experience was like.
