Why fabric choice matters

Fashion is more than just style—it can shape ecosystems, water usage, and chemical pollution. Whether you shop for new clothing or trawl the charity shops for a preloved bargain, what your garments are made of has an environmental impact.

Conventional textiles—especially synthetics like polyester and nylon—shed microplastics (up to hundreds of thousands of fibres per wash) and resist biodegradation, contributing to long-term pollution. Natural sustainable fabrics like hemp, linen, organic cotton, wool, and alpaca offer biodegradable, plastic‑free alternatives that break down naturally and reduce environmental harm.

This post offers a shortlist of sustainable fabrics that are worth seeking out—each with clear benefits of lower environmental impact, durability, and everyday comfort.

Sustainable fabrics worth your wardrobe’s attention

🧶 Why wool and other animal fibres deserve a spot in sustainable fashion

We often talk about natural plant fibres—and rightly so—but animal-derived fibres like wool, alpaca, mohair, and cashmere (when sourced responsibly) can also be part of a conscious wardrobe.

Here’s why:

• They biodegrade naturally, unlike synthetics that persist for centuries.

• They’re long-lasting—a good wool jumper can outlive a dozen fast fashion knits.

• They require less frequent washing, saving water and energy.

• They’re temperature-regulating—keeping you cool or warm as needed.

• They can support regenerative farming and ethical animal treatment when sourced well.

Look out for certifications like the Responsible Wool Standard (RWS), ZQ Merino, or The Good Cashmere Standard, and always check that wool is mulesing-free.

🛍 What the community says

Over on Reddit’s sustainability threads, advocates emphasize getting started with linen, hemp, organic cotton and Tencel/Lyocell as top picks:

“Whether I’m shopping secondhand or buying new, the fabrics I look for most often are cotton, Tencel lyocell, hemp, or linen.”

“Generally speaking the fabrics with the least environmental impact are: Recycled cotton; Organic cotton; (Organic) linen or hemp; Tencel Lyocell; Recycled materials in general.”

And on hemp specifically:

“Hemp is antimicrobial … stronger than cotton … gets softer the more you wash it … saves water … good for the soil … regenerative … natural purifier.”

🧵 How to shop sustainably (Frankie & Ruby‑style)

• Read labels carefully—look for organic, recycled, or closed‑loop certifications (e.g. OEKO‑TEX, GOTS, BCI, RWS).

• Choose mono-material garments when possible—blended fabrics complicate recycling.

• Prioritise natural fibres like hemp, wool, alpaca, linen, and cotton. Avoid new synthetics; if synthetics are unavoidable, pick recycled versions.

• Think long-term—durable fabrics reduce waste and encourage repeated wear.

• Secondhand is a styling star—shopping preloved keeps material in circulation and avoids new resource use. Quality wool and cashmere pieces are especially great secondhand finds.

• Care to make it last—air wool between wears, wash gently when needed, and store with love (and lavender to deter moths!)

Final thoughts ✨

Choosing sustainable fabrics isn’t about following a trend—it’s about making practical, planet-friendly choices that let your wardrobe evolve with purpose.

Fabrics like hemp, linen, organic or recycled cotton, Tencel, and now also sustainably sourced wool and alpaca offer comfort, durability, and much lower environmental impact. They’re beautiful to wear, made to last, and kinder to the earth when you’re done with them.

By prioritising these fabrics, caring for your pieces, and shopping mindfully (especially preloved), you’re stepping into a wardrobe that works for you and the planet.

Over to you
Do you have anything you'd like to add about sustainable fabrics? Drop us a comment below and let us know which ones you like to shop for—or which secondhand fibre finds you’ve loved most.