Cotton is a natural plant fiber derived from the seeds of the cotton plant. It is the most widely used natural fiber in the textile and fashion industry, accounting for 37% of global fiber production, approximately 26 million tons per year. Soft, lightweight, breathable, and comfortable, cotton is extensively used in clothing, home textiles, and fashion accessories. Its popularity in sustainable fashion and eco-friendly apparel makes it a key choice for brands focused on quality, comfort, and responsible production.
Linen is a natural fiber obtained from the flax plant. It is an eco-friendly and durable textile that requires minimal water, fertilizers, and pesticides to grow. Linen fabrics are valued for their elegant appearance, freshness, and strength. They are used in summer clothing, shirts, dresses, and premium home textiles. Sustainable fashion collections especially leverage the natural properties of linen to combine comfort with style.
Bamboo fabric is an eco-friendly textile that is soft, breathable, moisture-wicking, and naturally antibacterial. Bamboo grows rapidly without the need for pesticides, making it a sustainable and environmentally responsible fiber. It is commonly used in comfortable clothing, underwear, activewear, and home textiles. Its pleasant texture and durable properties make it a popular choice for sustainable fashion brands and eco-conscious textiles.
| Material | Types of fabric | Properties | Environmental impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cotton | Poplin, muslin, canvas | Soft, breathable, absorbent | Eco-friendly (if organic), recyclable |
| Linen | Canvas, chambray, linen-viscose,… | Durable, breathable, hypoallergenic | Eco-friendly, recyclable, biodegradable |
| Bamboo | Bamboo viscose, bamboo jersey,… | Soft, antibacterial, anti-perspirant | Eco-friendly (grown without pesticides), renewable |
Wool is a natural textile fiber obtained from the fleece of sheep or other animals such as cashmere goats or alpacas. Soft, insulating, and breathable, wool is widely used in winter clothing, sweaters, coats, and accessories like scarves and gloves. Wool is also valued in sustainable fashion for its natural qualities and durability. High-quality wool textiles are preferred for their comfort, warmth, and elegance.
Silk is a natural fiber produced by silkworms. Known for its exceptional softness, shine, and elegant drape, silk is used in luxury clothing, blouses, dresses, and high-end fashion accessories. Ethically and sustainably produced silk is highly valued in eco-friendly fashion. Its lightweight nature and thermal comfort make it ideal for premium collections and delicate garments.
Cashmere is a natural fiber derived from the undercoat of cashmere goats. Extremely soft, lightweight, warm, and luxurious, it is used in sweaters, scarves, coats, and other high-end winter garments. Sustainable fashion emphasizes ethically sourced cashmere, ensuring environmentally responsible production and animal welfare.
| Material | Types of fabric | Properties | Environmental impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wool | Animal fiber | Soft, insulating, breathable, durable and strong; wrinkles very little | Can be ethically and sustainably produced; renewable if livestock is responsibly managed |
| Silk | Animal biber | Soft, shiny, elegant, lightweight;Resistance moderately strong, wrinkles easily | Traditional production can be resource-intensive; ethical production possible |
| Cashmere | Animal fiber | Extremely soft, lightweight, warm, luxurious; Resistance, less durable than wool,wrinkles very little | Ethical sourcing essential to minimize impact; sustainable production possible |
Rayon (regenerated cellulose fibers):
Rayon, also known as viscose, is a semi-synthetic fiber made from plant cellulose. It can mimic the texture of cotton, silk, or wool depending on the processing method. Soft, flowing, and comfortable, rayon is widely used in clothing, blouses, dresses, and lightweight fashion items. This semi-synthetic fiber is valued for combining aesthetic appeal, comfort, and affordability, and it is commonly included in sustainable fashion collections.
| Material | Types of fabric | Properties | Environmental impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rayon/viscose | Semi-synthetic fiber | Soft, flowing, comfortable, lightweight; Resistance medium, wrinkles easily | Made from plant cellulose; environmental impact depends on chemical processing; sustainable versions available |
Polyester:
Polyester is a strong, durable, and easy-care synthetic fiber. It is widely used in the textile and fashion industry for everyday clothing, sportswear, and technical fabrics. Recycled polyester is increasingly used in sustainable fashion collections to reduce environmental impact.
Nylon:
Nylon is a lightweight synthetic fiber that is resistant to wear, abrasion, and moisture. It is commonly used in sportswear, tights, accessories, and technical textiles. Recycled nylon reduces environmental impact and is increasingly adopted in eco-friendly fashion.
Spandex / Elastane:
Spandex, also known as elastane, is a highly elastic fiber providing excellent stretch and recovery. It is often blended with other fibers to add elasticity to garments such as activewear, underwear, and form-fitting clothing.
| Material | Types of fabric | Properties | Environmental impact |
| Polyester | Jersey, satin, velvet, crepe,… | Durable, wrinkle-resistant | Not eco-friendly, recyclable |
| Nylon | Taffeta, organza, microfiber | Abrasion-resistant, lightweight, elastic | Not eco-friendly, recyclable under certain conditions |
| Spandex | Jersey, lycra, stretch | Stretchable, shape-retaining, wrinkle-resistant | Not eco-friendly, difficult to recycle |
Viscose:
Viscose is a semi-synthetic fiber made from plant cellulose. Soft and flowing, it mimics the texture of silk and provides comfortable wear. It is used in blouses, dresses, linings, and lightweight clothing. Viscose is valued in sustainable fashion when produced from responsibly sourced cellulose.
Modal:
Modal is a regenerated fiber derived from wood cellulose, often beech. It is soft, breathable, wrinkle-resistant, and absorbent. Modal is widely used in comfortable clothing, underwear, loungewear, and activewear. Fibers from sustainable sources make modal a popular choice in eco-friendly fashion.
Lyocell (Tencel®):
Lyocell, also known as Tencel®, is an eco-friendly fiber made from wood cellulose, typically eucalyptus. Soft, absorbent, breathable, and durable, it is ideal for shirts, dresses, and sustainable denim. Lyocell is increasingly used in eco-conscious fashion due to its durability and environmentally responsible production.
| Material | Types of fabric | Properties | Environmental impact |
| Viscose | Jersey, crepe, satin | Soft, fluid, breathable | Natural origin but chemically processed |
| Modal | Jersey, corduroy velvet | Soft, shrink-resistant, breathable | Natural origin, controlled chemical transformation |
| Lyocell | Denim, twill, poplin | Soft, durable, moisture-absorbing | Natural origin, eco-friendly production process |
Cotton-Polyester:
This blend combines the softness, comfort, and breathability of cotton with the durability, wrinkle-resistance, and easy-care properties of polyester. It is widely used in everyday clothing, ready-to-wear, uniforms, and home textiles. This blend is also valued in sustainable fashion for balancing comfort and performance.
Polyester-Nylon:
This combination merges the durability and moisture resistance of polyester with the lightweight strength and abrasion resistance of nylon. It is used in technical fabrics, sportswear, accessories, and outdoor textiles. Using recycled fibers reduces environmental impact.
Polyester-Spandex:
This blend adds the stretch and recovery of spandex to the durability and low-maintenance qualities of polyester. It is widely used in form-fitting garments, activewear, underwear, and leggings. This fabric is popular in sustainable fashion collections due to its versatility and durability.
Cotton-Viscose-Polyester:
This blend combines the softness and breathability of cotton, the sheen of viscose, and the durability of polyester. It is used in a variety of clothing, from shirts and lightweight dresses to comfortable ready-to-wear items.
Silk-Polyester-Nylon:
This luxury blend merges the softness and shine of silk with the durability and strength of polyester and nylon. It is used in high-end clothing, elegant dresses, and premium home textiles.
| Material | Types of fabric | Properties | Environmental impact |
| Cotton-polyester blend | Poplin, muslin, etc. | Soft, durable, easy to care for | Made from sustainable sources |
| Wool-acrylic blend | Knit, flannel, felt, etc. | Warm, wrinkle-resistant | Recyclable |
| Polyester-nylon blend | Taffeta, satin, organza, etc. | Lightweight, durable | Recyclable |
| Polyester-spandex blend | Jersey, lycra, mesh, etc. | Stretchable, comfortable, shape-retaining | Recyclable |
| Cotton-viscose-polyester blend | Denim, velvet, twill, etc. | Durable, soft, breathable | Eco-friendly, recyclable |
| Silk-polyester-nylon blend | Satin, chiffon, crêpe de chine, etc. | Fluid, shiny, lightweight | Recyclable |
