Sustainable Fabrics 101: A Guide to Building an Ethical and Eco-friendly Wardrobe

October 19, 2024 · Neha Agarwal
sustainable-fabrics

What is your fashion statement while you make your outfit purchase? 

While considering fashion, we often need to pay more attention to the fabric but choose the one that soothes our eyes. We usually overlook that we are impacting the environment for good or worse. That is why we should consider choosing quality over quantity. 

And what could be a better way of prioritising the quality and environment than by choosing sustainable and eco-friendly fabrics? Sustainable fabrics offer a lot of benefits to Mother Earth. Recently, there have been a lot of Google searches around sustainable fabric meaning. So, let’s discuss what they are! 

What Are Sustainable Fabrics?

Sustainable fabrics are new-age fabrics designed especially to lessen the impact on the environment and contribute towards social responsibility. What makes them stand apart from the rest is their raw materials. They are carved from renewable or recyclable materials. 

Moreover, their manufacturing methods are keenly designed to conserve energy and water and reduce harmful chemical effects. Sustainable fabrics aim to create an ethical and eco-friendly fashion environment for all. 

Sustainable fabrics made from eco-friendly materials are durable. They are built to last longer. This makes it easier to care for them! You can wash your sustainable fabrics using a machine. However, it would help if you always were sure to read the labels on your fabrics. 

Fabric conditioners are best for earth-friendly fabrics as they coat your clothes and help them stay soft and smell great for a longer haul. Conditioners do not keep them protected from bobbling and make it easier for you to iron them. They become less static. 

6 Different Types Of Fabric To Know About

Here are six different types of fabric names you should be aware of to make a sustainable choice. 

Organic cotton fabric

Organic cotton fabric is a well-known sustainable fabric widely available across the fashion industry. These are 100 percent certified eco-friendly fabrics compared to the conventional types. The impact of cotton wear on the environment is minimal to negligible.  

Organic linen fabric

Organic linen fabric is made from organically woven linen derived from the flax plant. This plant is known for both its durability and versatility. Linen outfits are a must-have in every wardrobe. The benefits of wearing organic linen fabrics are that they are breathable, hypoallergenic, durable, and biodegradable. 

Modal fabric

Modal fabric is a semi-synthetic sustainable fabric for clothing made from the beech tree pulp. Modal is a form of another plant-derived textile called rayon. This is slightly more flexible and durable than your standard version. Modal clothing is often made by blending with other fibres, such as spandex and cotton, to increase strength. 

Viscose fabric

Viscose fabric is one of the natural fabrics clothing. However, it is less sound than other rayon types. The production process for viscose fabrics uses higher concentrations of chemicals. The viscose fibre is cheap and is a common versatile fabric name for items such as blouses, denim jackets, mini dresses, etc. Viscose fabrics do not trap heat, are light in weight, soft, and breathable, and hold dye longer without fading. 

Lyocell fabric

Lyocell is the next eco-friendly fabric commonly used as a substitute for silk or cotton. This form of rayon is primarily made from cellulose. This fabric is suitable both for human use and for the environment. They are classified as earth-friendly fabrics and are pleasing to wear and work with. Its supple and robust nature makes it highly versatile. 

Recycled Polyester Fabric

Recycled polyester fabric is just the same as your virgio fabric. Recycled polyester fabrics are eco-friendly, giving a second life to non-biodegradable materials. 

How To Build An Eco-Friendly Wardrobe With Sustainable Fabrics

Today, when the environmental consciousness is gaining momentum, an eco-friendly wardrobe containing the most sustainable clothing is calling everyone’s attention. Instead, they have become more critical than ever. As a responsible consumer, you owe your responsibility to our planet, and your fashion choices are no exception. Here are a few steps for building an eco-friendly wardrobe with clothes made of eco-friendly materials - 

  • Assess what you currently have in your wardrobe
  • Make sure that you owe quality fabrics than the quantity 
  • Choose sustainable fabric brands such as Virgio
  • Support brands that manufacture ethically 
  • Mend and upcycle wherever required
  • Be mindful when washing your clothes 
  • Recycling as and when required 
  • Embrace the habit of minimalism 

Conclusion

Building a sustainable fabric wardrobe is an excellent step towards adopting a sustainable lifestyle and contributing your bits and pieces to Mother Earth. Virgio pledges to promote sustainability and eco-friendliness with our eco-friendly, fashionable fabric. It is now your time to become more environmentally conscious, support ethical brands, and make informed decisions as a buyer. As you embark on your first step towards sustainability, let’s pledge for a better tomorrow for future generations. 

Faqs On Eco-Friendly Fabric

Q. Are earth-friendly fabrics biodegradable?

Yes, earth friendly fabrics are biodegradable. These fabrics are made from biodegradable raw materials. This minimises the overall impact of such fabrics on the environment. Virgio has a wide assortment of sustainable fabrics for every occasion. 

Q. How do you know if fabric is eco-friendly or not?

The organic cotton, hemp, wool, jute, bamboo, and corn fibre fabrics are considered eco-friendly. The fashionable fabrics claiming themselves as eco-friendly should have eco-friendly certifications and labels vouching for environmental safety. 

Q. Is organic cotton fabric better for the environment than regular cotton?

Organic cotton has more beneficial effects than your regular one. It significantly reduces the amount of water pollution and nutrient leaching compared to your regular cotton production. Organic cotton fabric lasts longer as it is made from durable fibres of the highest quality and offers comfort to the wearer.