Exploring Fabrics: Natural, Synthetic, and Renewable/ Sustainable

Here at the Goddess Lifestyle Shop we promote natural fibers and fabrics. Clothing can be processed in many different ways and some ways use chemicals and materials that could potentially be harmful to our bodies. Toxic chemicals can be embedded in the clothing. Especially, chemicals that make the clothing fire resistant or anti wrinkle. They say that our skin is our largest organ. So, what comes in contact with it can enter into our bodies. Our skin brushes along our clothing and can sweat. The chemicals absorbed can have many effects on the body such as fertility problems in men and women, rashes( from the skin not breathing and bacteria), and inflammation. 

Fabrics have been used for a great deal of time and have many variations. Usually when fabrics are mentioned we think of cotton, wool, polyester or nylon. Have you ever wondered what your clothes are made of? Fabrics come in different types, but they can generally be grouped into three categories: natural, synthetic, and sustainable/renewable. Let's take a closer look at each type to understand the difference. Fabrics and clothing have an impact on the environment.

Natural fabrics come from natural materials usually found in nature. The materials are processed into fabrics and used for a wide variety of items. Natural fabrics are usually biodegradable but are not always sustainable. There are also synthetic fabrics made mostly with natural materials. 

Synthetic fabrics are typically made from chemicals or using various chemicals. Synthetic fabrics have revolutionized the textile industry, offering affordability, durability, and performance-enhancing properties. The production of synthetic fibers involves the use of petrochemicals derived from non-renewable resources such as crude oil. This extraction process contributes to environmental degradation and greenhouse gas emissions, increasing climate change. Their production and disposal can cause significant environmental challenges, including pollution and resource depletion. Synthetic fibers are generally not biodegradable nor are they sustainable.

Some fabrics are made from materials that can be renewed or grown again and again. Renewable fabrics come from plants, like bamboo and hemp. These plants don't harm the environment when they're harvested, and they don't run out because they grow back quickly. Renewable fabrics are biodegradable, which means they can break down naturally over time. By making eco-friendly choices, we can all help make the world a better place.

Each type of fabric has its own unique qualities and benefits. Whether you prefer the softness of cotton, the warmth of wool, or the sustainability of bamboo, there's a fabric out there for everyone. At the Goddess Lifestyle Shop we have picked styles made with mostly natural materials. Some are sustainable. Many fabrics are blends, so this makes it hard to find fashions made with only natural materials. To be affordable some categories contain synthetic fabrics. Happy Shopping! I hope you enjoy this collection that was intentionally and thoughtfully selected with natural materials in mind.

Natural Fabrics:

1. Cotton: Cotton comes from the cotton plant. It's soft, breathable, and great for warm weather. T-shirts and jeans are often made from cotton.

   

2. Wool: Wool comes from sheep. It's warm and cozy, perfect for sweaters and blankets. Wool can be itchy for some people, but it's great for keeping you warm.

3. Linen: Linen comes from the flax plant. It's lightweight and breathable, making it ideal for summer clothes like shirts and dresses.

4. Silk: Silk comes from silkworms. It's smooth and luxurious, often used in fancy clothes like dresses and ties.

5. Leather: Leather comes from animal hides, like cows or sheep. It's durable and can be used for jackets, shoes, and bags.

6. Cashmere: A luxurious and soft fiber obtained from the undercoat of cashmere goats, known for its warmth and softness.

7. Alpaca: A natural fiber obtained from the fleece of alpacas, known for its softness, warmth, and hypoallergenic properties.

Processed Natural Fabrics:

1. Rayon/ viscose : Rayon is made from wood pulp. It's soft and can mimic the feel of silk or cotton. Rayon is often used in shirts and dresses.

2. Modal: Modal is similar to rayon but made from beech trees. It's stretchy and absorbent, great for activewear and underwear.

3. Tencel/Lyocell: Tencel is another type of rayon made from eucalyptus trees. It's eco-friendly and has a silky feel, often used in dresses and bedding. 

Renewable/ Sustainable Fabrics:

1. Bamboo: Bamboo fabric is made from bamboo plants. It's soft, breathable, and biodegradable. Bamboo fabric can be used for a variety of clothing items.

2. Hemp: Hemp comes from the hemp plant. It's strong and durable, perfect for jeans and bags. Hemp is also eco-friendly because it requires fewer pesticides to grow.

3. Organic Cotton: Cotton grown without the use of synthetic pesticides, fertilizers, or genetically modified organisms (GMOs), promoting sustainability and environmental conservation.

4. Linen: A textile made from the fibers of the flax plant, known for its durability, breathability, and natural texture.

5. Wool: A natural fiber obtained from the fleece of sheep or other animals like goats, known for its warmth, moisture-wicking properties, and resilience.

6. Cork: A natural material harvested from the bark of cork oak trees, often used in fabric blends for its sustainability, water resistance, and thermal insulation properties.

7. Seaweed: A sustainable fabric made from seaweed fibers, known for its softness, breathability, and eco-friendly production process.

8. Tencel/Lyocell: A type of rayon fabric made from the cellulose found in wood pulp, known for its silky smooth texture, breathability, and environmentally friendly production process.

Synthetic Fabrics:

1. Polyester: A synthetic fiber known for its durability, wrinkle resistance, and quick-drying properties, commonly used in clothing and home textiles.

2. Nylon: A synthetic polymer fiber known for its strength, elasticity, and resistance to abrasion, often used in activewear, swimwear, and stockings.

3. Spandex: A synthetic fiber known for its exceptional elasticity and stretch, commonly blended with other fibers to add stretchiness to fabrics.

4. Microfiber: A synthetic fiber made of extremely fine threads, known for its softness, moisture-wicking properties, and ability to repel water and stains.

5. Acrylic: A synthetic fiber similar in texture to wool, known for its softness, lightweight feel, and ability to retain color well, often used in knitwear and blankets.