MATERIALS 101

Conventional cotton farming uses intensive water resources and synthetic pesticides. While widely available and affordable, it has a significant environmental footprint.

Regular cotton is typically grown using traditional farming methods that prioritize yield over sustainability.

Organic cotton is cultivated without synthetic pesticides or fertilizers, using methods that maintain soil health and reduce environmental impact.

This approach supports biodiversity and reduces the exposure of farmers and ecosystems to harmful chemicals.

Recycled cotton is made from pre-consumer or post-consumer cotton waste, reducing the need for new cotton production.

This process diverts textile waste from landfills and significantly reduces water and energy consumption compared to virgin cotton.

Linen is derived from the flax plant and is one of the oldest textiles in the world. Known for its exceptional breathability and durability, linen becomes softer with each wash.

It's naturally temperature-regulating, making it perfect for warm weather, and requires minimal water and pesticides to grow compared to cotton.

Cashmere is a luxury fiber obtained from cashmere goats, primarily found in regions like Mongolia and China. This premium material is prized for its exceptional warmth, lightness, and softness.

Cashmere provides excellent insulation while remaining lightweight, making it ideal for high-quality knitwear.

Wool comes from sheep and is known for its natural temperature-regulating properties.

This versatile fiber can keep you warm in winter and cool in summer, while also being naturally odor-resistant and moisture-wicking. Wool is durable, long-lasting, and can be recycled.

Silk is a natural protein fiber produced by silkworms and is known for its smooth feel, sheen, and drape.

It’s often associated with occasionwear and elevated basics, though its production is more resource-intensive than many other natural fibers.

Natural fiber blends combine plant, or animal-based fibers, with synthetic fibers to enhance comfort, durability, or texture.

Blends can improve performance while maintaining many of the benefits of natural materials. However, blending does make it harder to recylce clothing.

Merino wool is a fine, high-quality wool sourced from merino sheep and is known for its softness, breathability, and natural performance properties.

Unlike coarser wools, merino fibers are much finer, making them comfortable against the skin while still providing warmth, odor resistance, and temperature regulation.

Polyester is a synthetic fiber made from petroleum-based plastics and is widely used in fashion due to its durability, wrinkle resistance, and low production cost.

While it offers strength and versatility, polyester does not biodegrade and sheds microplastics during washing and wear, contributing to long-term environmental pollution.

Nylon, also known as polyamide, is a strong, elastic synthetic fiber derived from petrochemicals.

Common in technical and performance apparel, nylon offers durability but comes with a high environmental footprint due to energy-intensive production, lack of biodegradability, and microfiber pollution.

Acrylic is a synthetic plastic fiber made from acrylonitrile and is often marketed as a low-cost alternative to wool.

While it mimics softness and warmth, acrylic is non-biodegradable, sheds microplastics, and relies heavily on chemical processing, making it one of the least sustainable textile fibers.

Elastane & Spandex are the same exact fabrics. "Spandex" is the term used in North America and "Elastane" is the technical term.

They are highly elastic synthetic fibers made from polyurethane and is used in small percentages to add stretch and shape retention to garments.

While it significantly improves comfort and fit, elastane is fossil-fuel based, non-biodegradable, and difficult to recycle when blended with other fibers.

Viscose/ rayon is a semi-synthetic fiber made from regenerated cellulose, most commonly derived from wood pulp. Rayon is the more common term in the United states & viscose is the more common term elsewhere.

Although it starts with a plant-based raw material, viscose production can involve intensive chemical processing and, when poorly managed, has been linked to deforestation and pollution.

Modal is a semi-synthetic fiber made from regenerated cellulose, typically derived from beechwood pulp. It is known for its softness, breathability, and ability to drape well, making it popular in elevated basics.

When it is TENCEL™ branded, it is produced using a closed-loop process that recovers most of the solvents used, resulting in significantly lower environmental impact than conventional viscose. When it is not TENCEL™ branded, it could be using less sustainable processes.

Lyocell is a semi-synthetic fiber made from regenerated cellulose, most commonly sourced from wood pulp, and it is best known under the brand name TENCEL™.

It is valued for its softness, breathability, and strength. When it is TENCEL™ branded, it is produced using a closed-loop process that recovers most of the solvents used, resulting in significantly lower environmental impact than conventional viscose. When it is not TENCEL™ branded, it could be using less sustainable processes.

Recycled synthetic fibers are made by reprocessing existing plastic materials—most commonly recycled polyester from PET bottles or textile waste—into new fibers.

These materials help reduce reliance on virgin fossil fuels and divert plastic from landfill, but they remain plastic-based, non-biodegradable, and can still shed microplastics during use and washing.