Let’s look into what sustainable fabrics used to make clothing are good for the planet.
As people care more about the environment, the fashion industry is changing. Shoppers want clothes that look good and are good for the planet. For plus-size people, this means finding sustainable fabrics for clothing that feel great and look flattering. Let’s look at some of the best sustainable fabrics for clothing and brands making a difference in plus-size fashion.
Tencel (Lyocell)- Luxury of Sustainable Fabrics
Tencel fabric, also known as Lyocell, is a sustainable fabric made from wood pulp. The wood pulp is from sustainably managed forests, the wood pulp is then dissolved in a special liquid that’s not harmful to the environment. This liquid helps turn the wood pulp into tiny fibers, like threads. The cool part is that 99.5% of this liquid is collected and reused, so it doesn’t go to waste. It is a staple natural fiber in plus size clothing.
Eco-friendly
This process is eco-friendly for a few reasons:
- The solution doesn’t pollute the air or water like other chemicals used in making clothes.
- The solution is reused to save resources and reduce waste.
- Most of the water used in the process is also recycled, saving even more water.
Tencel is a better fabric choice than others because it’s made in a way that’s gentler on the planet. It uses less chemicals, and less water, and some of the materials used to make it are reused. Tencel will naturally break down over time, so it doesn’t stay in the environment forever.
Gentle on Skin
It is a soft and comfy fabric that feels great on your skin. It flows nicely and doesn’t cling, so it’s flattering to wear. It’s gentle, so it won’t irritate your skin or cause chafing. Plus, it’s great for people with allergies or sensitive skin because it doesn’t hold onto dust mites or other things that can cause problems.
Tencel is a breathable fabric that helps you stay cool and dry by quickly absorbing sweat. This makes it great for exercise clothes or hot weather, especially for plus-size folks who tend to feel warmer.
Versatility
Tencel is a tough fabric that can handle lots of wear and washing without getting stretched out or worn. It’s great for everyday clothes that you wear often. You can also find Tencel in different thicknesses and feels, so it can be used for all kinds of clothes, from comfy casual outfits to fancy dress clothes.
Tencel is perfect for clothes, sheets, and even home decor. It feels as smooth as silk on your skin, so it’s a comfy and fancy choice for everyday things. Tencel also falls nicely over curves, creating a smooth and elegant look that doesn’t cling to places you might not want it to.
In short, Tencel is a great choice if you want clothes that are comfy, stylish, and good for the planet. It can be used for all kinds of plus-size clothing, from everyday stuff like t-shirts and leggings to fancier dresses and skirts. It feels soft and flowy, so it looks great on everyone, and it also helps you stay dry and comfortable all day long.
Tencel Fabric Brand Highlight
Eileen Fisher‘s Tencel pieces feel like silk, drape beautifully, and are perfect for everyday wear. They offer items from simple tops and pants to dresses and jackets. Eileen Fisher’s Tencel line is a great choice.
Organic Cotton- Gentle Giant of Sustainable Fabrics
Organic cotton is very soft and gentle, even on sensitive skin. It feels great against your body, making clothes comfy to wear. Growing organic cotton is better for the soil and water. It doesn’t hurt the planet as much as regular cotton. It is probably the most common natural fiber for plus size clothing.
Versatility
Like Tencel, organic cotton can be made into many kinds of fabrics. You can find it in all sorts of plus-size clothes, like comfy tees, flowy dresses, and even pajamas. It stretches a little and moves with you, so it’s perfect for everyone.
Thin organic cotton is perfect for summer clothes like dresses and shirts. It keeps you cool when it’s hot. Medium-thick organic cotton is good for in-between weather, like when you need a cardigan or pants. And thick organic cotton is great for warm sweaters and jackets in the winter.
Organic cotton is great for plus-size clothes because it’s soft, comfy, and good for your skin. When you choose clothes made with organic cotton, you’re not only feeling good, but you’re also helping the environment.
Organic Cotton Fabric Brand Highlight
Universal Standard makes comfy, well-made clothes in all sizes, including lots of everyday items made with organic cotton.
Everlane makes lots of plus-size basics like t-shirts and underwear with organic cotton. They’re open about how they make their clothes and care about doing it the right way.
Hemp- Powerhouse of Sustainable Fabrics
Hemp fiber, made from the plant, is becoming a popular natural fiber option for plus size clothing. This is because it’s a sustainable fabric that has many benefits. It is a strong fabric that lets your skin breathe and won’t get moldy or sun damage easily.
Durability
The sustainable fabric is very strong and doesn’t wear out easily, so clothes made from it last longer. This means you don’t have to buy new clothes as often, which is better for the planet.
Low Environmental Impact
It needs less water and chemicals to grow than regular cotton, so it’s better for the planet. It even helps make the soil healthier instead of draining it of nutrients!
Mold Resistance
Hemp fabric also fights against the bacteria that cause bad smells. Mold not only causes bad smells but also weakens the fibers. These fibers have qualities that prevent microorganisms from growing on the sustainable fabric. We already talked about Hemp’s breathability; this also helps stop mold because the fabric doesn’t stay wet for long. All of this makes it great for workout clothes or if you sweat a lot.
UV Resistance
It’s like a natural shield against harmful rays. When the fibers are tightly woven, it lowers the amount of light that can get through the fabric, protecting the skin underneath. Hemp fabric’s natural color, often a light beige or brown, absorbs some UV radiation. This further enhances its ability to shield the skin from the sun’s harmful rays.
The sustainable fabric gets softer and more comfortable the more you wash it. It’s great for plus-size people who might have sensitive skin or prefer soft clothes. Hemp can also be made into many kinds of fabrics, so it works for both casual and fancy jeans and jackets. It looks good on everyone and has a special texture that makes any outfit a little more stylish.
Hemp is a great sustainable fabric for plus-size clothes because it’s strong, breathable, and good for the planet. You can find hemp clothes in many different styles, whether you’re dressing up or keeping it casual. If you care about wearing clothes that are good for the environment, hemp is a great choice.
Hemp Fabric Brand Highlight
While looking for clothing made from hemp, I was unable to find anything over size 2X that was from a brand with “sustainable” business actions. Multiple brands carry some hemp clothing in plus sizes, so keep an eye out for secondhand options. Expect to see more hemp options from various brands in the future.
Bamboo- Deep Breath of Sustainable Fabrics
Bamboo clothing is a great eco-friendly natural fiber choice, especially for plus size people! This is because bamboo is good for the planet in many ways.
Rapid Growth
Bamboo grows super-fast, sometimes up to three feet in just one day! This means we can use it a lot and it will grow back quickly, which is good for the environment.
Minimal Water Usage
Bamboo needs much less water to grow than cotton. It grows well in many different places and doesn’t need extra watering besides rain. This makes bamboo clothing a good choice for saving water, especially in places where there isn’t much.
Pesticide-Free
Bamboo plants don’t usually get bugs or diseases, so farmers don’t need to use chemicals on them. This makes it good for the planet and means clothes made from bamboo are safer for us to wear.
Carbon Sequestration
Bamboo forests suck up a lot of the bad stuff in the air that causes climate change. Growing bamboo for clothes helps clean the air even more.
Biodegradability
Bamboo clothes break down naturally over time, which is better for the planet than clothes made from plastic, which can take hundreds of years to break down.
Choosing bamboo clothes is a great way to help the fashion world be more eco-friendly. Bamboo is a better choice because it grows quickly. It doesn’t need much water and is grown without chemicals. It also breaks down naturally over time.
Bamboo fabric offers unique quality that makes it a good sustainable fabrics for plus-size clothing:
Softness
Bamboo clothes are super soft, like cashmere or silk. They feel smooth and nice on your skin, making them a great choice if you have sensitive skin.
Moisture-Wicking
Bamboo clothes are great at absorbing sweat and drying quickly. This keeps you cool and dry, even when it’s hot or you’re active. This is especially helpful for plus-size people who might sweat more.
Natural Antibacterial Properties
Bamboo clothes have something special called “bamboo kun” that makes them naturally fight bacteria. This means bamboo clothes don’t get smelly as quickly and stay fresher longer. This is great for people who sweat a lot or live in humid places.
Bamboo clothes are not only soft and good for the planet. They also let your skin breathe, don’t irritate sensitive skin, and help you stay comfortable no matter the temperature. They can be used for all sorts of clothes, from everyday wear to workout clothes and even pajamas. Making it a great plus size natural fiber clothing option.
Bamboo Fabric Brand Highlight
Bamboo Body is an Australian company that makes soft and comfy bamboo clothes. They have lots of choices for plus-size women, up to size 4X.
Recycled Polyester- Circular Focus of Sustainable Fabrics
Also known as rPET, is not a natural fiber but is a sustainable fabric option that’s becoming more popular for plus size clothing. It’s made from recycled plastic bottles and other plastic waste. This keeps those plastics from harming the planet when thrown away.
Keeps Plastic out of Landfills
Recycled polyester is mainly made from used plastic bottles that would otherwise go to trash dumps or pollute the environment. By using these bottles to make clothes, we can help reduce plastic waste.
Less Harm to the planet
Making recycled polyester uses less energy and resources than making new polyester. This means it’s better for the planet because it creates less pollution. It also doesn’t rely as much on oil and gas.
Just as Good as New Polyester Fabric
It is just as strong, wrinkle-resistant, and good at wicking moisture as new polyester. This makes it a practical choice for many different types of clothes.
Versatility
Recycled polyester can be mixed with another sustainable fabric like cotton or spandex to make different kinds of clothes. They can make comfy clothes, workout clothes, or even dress clothes.
Promotes Circular Economy
Using recycled materials to make recycled polyester is a great way to keep the fabrics in use for as long as possible. This is good for the planet because it helps reduce waste and save energy.
For plus-size people, recycled polyester is a great option that’s good for the planet and still looks great. It’s comfy, strong, and can be used for many different styles of clothing, all while being better for the planet. By choosing recycled polyester clothes, plus-size people can help the planet and feel good about their fashion choices.
Recycled polyester has a number of qualities making it great for plus-size clothing.
Durability
Recycled polyester is super tough and long-lasting. It doesn’t wear out easily, pill, or wrinkle, so your clothes will stay looking good even after washing and wearing them a lot. This makes it a great choice for everyday clothes, workout clothes, and anything else that gets used a lot.
Moisture-Wicking
Recycled polyester helps you stay dry because it doesn’t absorb water easily. So, you stay dry and comfortable, even if you sweat a lot.
Versatility
Recycled polyester is a versatile sustainable fabric. It can be mixed with another sustainable fabric to create other types of clothing. It can be used to make lightweight, breathable summer clothes, warm winter clothes, or even stretchy workout clothes.
Recycled polyester is also great because it doesn’t wrinkle easily and is super easy to take care of. Just toss it in the washing machine and dryer, and you’re good to go! It usually doesn’t even need to be ironed.
Recycled Polyester Fabrics Brand Highlight
The North Face also has a variety of plus-size (up to 3X) jackets and outerwear made with recycled polyester. These jackets keep you warm and last a long time, all while being better for the planet.
Reformation sells plus-size (up to 3X) stylish dresses, tops, and bottoms made with recycled polyester. They often mix it with another sustainable fabric to create more options.
Everlane uses recycled polyester in some of its plus-size (up to 4X) basics like t-shirts and sweatshirts.
Universal Standard is a brand known for its wide range of sizes (up to 4X). It offers items made with recycled polyester, like their popular Next-to-Naked Bodysuit.
More and more brands are making plus-size clothes with recycled polyester. When you’re shopping, look for labels that say “recycled polyester” or for certifications like GRS. This means the clothes are eco-friendly.
Wrap Up Sustainable Fabrics for Clothing
We now have more choices when it comes to sustainable fabrics for clothing. Brands like Eileen Fisher, Universal Standard, and Everlane are making stylish and eco-friendly clothes for everyone. By choosing these clothes, we can make fashion better for people and the planet. For more sustainable and ethical brands, check out my list: Brands to Watch.
Every purchase matters! Choose sustainable fabrics for clothing when possible. Support brands that care about the planet. Let’s continue to ask for more plus-size sustainable fabrics for clothing options. Let’s celebrate the brands that are leading the way. Together, we can create a better future for fashion that’s both stylish and good for the planet.
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