Fashion changed forever when we started weaving fibres into fabric some 34,000 years ago. By the modern era, most cultures had ditched animal hides for easier-to-knit, more comfortable, and often more stylish textile clothing.
But not all textiles are equal. People around the world have, over thousands of years, invented a great variety of fabrics. From linen, silk, and cotton to wool, fleece, and polyester, anyone shopping for clothes in this era is spoiled for choice.
This begs the question: what is the best fabric for clothing? Let's find out.
Types of Fibres
Fibres fall into two broad categories: natural and synthetic.
Synthetic Fibers
According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), 60% of the material used to make clothing is synthetic. There's a reason for this; artificial fibres are cheap, durable, versatile, and easy to manufacture.
Popular synthetic fabrics include:
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Polyester: A synthetic fabric derived from petroleum, polyester is prized for its durability, light weight, shrink resistance, and wrinkle resistance. It's no wonder, then, that it is present in over half of all textiles in production.
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Nylon: Refers to a family of synthetic polymers derived from crude oil. It is a strong and durable material that's surprisingly flexible and lightweight. These qualities make it the go-to fibre for active wear.
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Spandex: Invented in 1958, this synthetic fibre is known for its incredible elasticity; it can stretch up to five times its length and still manage to regain its original shape. It is an essential component in activewear and form-fitting apparel, although it is rarely used alone.
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Other popular synthetic fibres include Acrylic and Rayon. The former mimics wool, while the latter is a versatile, semi-synthetic derivative of wood pulp.
You'll rarely find a synthetic fibre used on its own. Usually, it is mixed with other materials, artificial or otherwise. This is a welcome development in speciality fashion, like safety gear, sportswear, and medical gear, where properties of synthetic fibres are highly desired.
But in general fashion, where synthetic fibres are used to facilitate cheap mass production, it comes at a great cost. Why? Because most synthetics are petroleum derivatives. Their manufacturing, use, and disposal, therefore, release tonnes of pollutants to the environment.
Natural Fibers
Did you know that up until the late 1800s, every single piece of clothing was made from natural fibers? Today, around 30% to 40% of clothing is made from four main natural fibres: linen, cotton, silk, and wool.
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Linen has been around for 10,000+ years. It is, by all accounts, the world's oldest textile. The fibres come from flax, a plant native to the region between India and the eastern Mediterranean. These are woven into a highly absorbent, breathable, and durable fabric.
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Silk is a fabric of legendary importance. Discovered in 2640 BC in China, it was extremely valuable, fueling trade and intrigue between empires for thousands of years. It remains a luxury fabric to date; soft, smooth, and comfortable.
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Wool comes primarily from sheep. It is a soft, thick fabric prized for its warm and insulating properties.
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Cotton is a soft, fluffy natural fiber that has been spun into textiles for more than 7000 years. It is an inexpensive, strong, and versatile textile that can be easily sewn into comfortable, breathable, and durable garments.
Compared to synthetics, natural fabrics tend to create more comfortable, stylish, and durable garments. They are also biodegradable, renewable, and shed non-toxic particles as they age. This makes them not only better for you, but also much better for the environment.
Sustainable 100% Cotton Garments
100% cotton carries a promise of softness and comfort that will last a long time, even after many washes. This makes it the gold standard for regular wear.
Wild Rose makes high-quality 100% cotton shirts and dresses. Sourcing beautiful, block-printed fabric from Jaipur, we bring it to Kenya, where skilled tailors create stylish garments that set you apart from the crowd. Our collection pays homage to the natural world.
