Eco-Friendly Hemp Clothing: Affordable & Sustainable Fashion
With the rise of sustainable fashion, hemp clothing is making a comeback. The popularity of hemp in America once was incredibly high, but thanks to the rise of cotton, hemp fell out of favor.
Nevertheless, hemp is making a comeback as eco-friendly clothing is becoming more and more popular. Hemp clothing offers people the option to be environmentally friendly while providing durability and comfort that other fabrics lack.
We’ll look at some of the specific characteristics of hemp fabrics that make them stand out from other fabrics like wool and silk. And discuss why hemp is such an attractive option for people who are seeking eco-friendly clothing without sacrificing quality or style.
What Is Hemp?
Hemp is a form of cannabis that is typically used for medicinal purposes. Hemp is known for its versatility and rapid growth. Paper, rope, textiles, and clothing can be made from it. Plants like hemp are extremely eco-friendly since they do not need pesticides or herbicides to thrive, and they also require very little water compared to other crops like cotton.
In addition to its other uses, it also provides dietary benefits due to its high levels of protein and essential fatty acids.
Hemp Dates Back Thousands Of Years
Since hemp was first cultivated around ten thousand years ago, hemp has been used for a variety of purposes. Hemp was probably the first plant cultivated for textile fiber. Hemp cloth dating back to 8,000 BC has been found in ancient Mesopotamia (currently Iran and Iraq)
Egypt’s pharaohs used hemp as a source of fiber and oil, and hemp seeds were discovered in their tombs.
Hemp made its way to Europe around 1,200 BC. From there, it spread throughout the ancient world.
The Chinese were the first to recognize hemp’s usefulness in paper production. Around 150 BC, they created the world’s first paper, made exclusively from hemp. Buddhist texts from the 2nd and 3rd centuries AD were written on paper made of bark and old rags, primarily hemp.
Why Was Hemp Banned In The US?
Marijuana and hemp were both taxed under the 1937 Marijuana Tax Act. It did not distinguish between low-THC hemp and high-THC cannabis of the same species at the time.
The hemp farming industry in America was greatly affected by this because it essentially made any part of the plant illegal to grow without paying a tax for it, which came at a very high cost at this point because there was an agricultural crisis at this time.
Since farmers can’t afford both taxes and expensive equipment needed to process such a bulky crop, they were doing more harm than good by growing hemp instead of crops that could be sold.
Cannabis hemp was illegal in America for more than a generation before hemp was legalized with the 2014 US Farm Bill.
Hemp Clothing A Sustainable Alternative To Cotton
Cotton is another plant that hemp is compared to because it’s also a versatile crop. Hemp plants produce four times as much fiber per acre as cotton plants, but hemp fibers are much longer and stronger, making them an excellent material for clothing.
Many fabrics are made from hemp, including linen. Not only is hemp a sustainable fabric, but hemp clothing also offers some benefits that cotton does not.
Hemp fibers are naturally antimicrobial, so they can resist the growth of bacteria and fungi on clothes as well as mold and mildew without using toxic chemicals like formaldehyde or heavy metals like nickel. It is also important to note that hemp is naturally UV protective, so hemp clothing will protect you from harmful rays due to sun exposure.
Hemp fabrics tend to absorb more moisture than natural fabrics such as wool, so they’re great for activewear when you need stretchy but breathable clothes while working out at the gym or going on a hike.
It’s possible that hemp will become cheaper than cotton, but the demand for hemp clothing must rise. Textiles made from hemp are not significantly more expensive than cotton, and hemp clothes tend to be more affordable than other eco-friendly garments like bamboo, organic wool, or Tencel, which is made from trees.
Keep Warm In Winter And Stay Cool In Summer
The fact that hemp clothes absorb moisture so well makes them perfect for cold and warm weather. Hemp can absorb up to 20% of its own weight while remaining dry to the touch.
Hemp clothing is also excellent for summer because hemp fabric will keep you cool and dry during humid or hot conditions since it wicks away moisture instead of trapping it as cotton does.
Winter is also a great time to wear hemp clothing because hemp has the ability to regulate body temperature and keep you warm without overheating.
What About Style?
As hemp fibers are much longer than cotton fibers, they are ideal for making pants, skirts, dresses, and more.
Additionally, its versatility allows it to be used for various products, including jeans. Denim fabrics like hemp twill are typically used to make jeans. Hemp jeans even have the same durable qualities as traditional blue jeans, but unlike cotton, they won’t shrink after washing.
Hemp tends to wrinkle more than other natural fibers, so it might not be a good choice if you’re trying to avoid wrinkles in your wardrobe. It’s is still much softer than cotton, making it ideal for cozy loungewear or underwear meant to feel gentle against your skin, without adding bulk, while still remaining breathable enough to keep sweat at bay.
It’s a great choice for enthusiasts who want to make their wardrobe more sustainable or environmentally friendly, as well as enjoy the advantages that hemp has over cotton, such as durability, moisture management, breathability, and antimicrobial properties.
Hemp fabric can be made into different types of fabrics, which makes it easier to find hemp clothes that will compliment your style without sacrificing comfort or versatility, regardless of the season.
Today, Hemp Clothing Is A Sustainable Fashion Trend
Due in large part to the fiber’s innate goodness for the environment, hemp clothing falls under the slow fashion movement. The hemp community is well aware of the benefits of hemp clothing, but hemp has more to offer than its environmental benefits.
The fabric has a few characteristics that make it sustainable and eco-friendly, but also comfortable. One of those characteristics would be hemp’s natural anti-bacterial properties, which prevent the formation of odors on clothes.
As soon as the eco-friendly plant is harvested, it goes through a lengthy process called retting, which takes up to five weeks, so that the fibers can soften and be extracted easily.
Also, the fabric has similar properties to denim, which are known for being durable and long-lasting. This makes hemp an ideal fabric choice if you prefer fabrics that are sustainable and eco-friendly but will last season after season without sacrificing quality or comfort.
Today, hemp clothes are more common in fashion circles as hemp has plenty of benefits that are slowly being recognized by the public.
Hemp Fabrics Come In Different Types
Tweed for winter and linen for summer. One of the most versatile fabrics available today is hemp. It can be used to make fleece, knits, terrycloth, and even jeans, which are usually made from denim fabric.
- Muslin – a fine and lightweight fabric. Its knitted fabrics made with hemp are blended with cotton to improve softness.
- Linen – is woven into a soft, durable cloth that is easy to clean. Its durability and absorbency make it ideal for warmer temperatures. The fabric is also very breathable, making it useful during the summer when it is humid outside. It is also wrinkle-resistant, so you don’t have to iron your clothes as often.
- Terrycloth – unlike most fabrics, terrycloth has an open weave that feels softer to the touch and is durable. It can be used throughout the entire year, making it extremely versatile. Most often, it’s used for robes, towels, and bedding.
- Twill – is a durable and breathable cloth that has been woven. The diagonal pattern makes it stronger than other weaves, and it is commonly used for jeans. Due to its durability against harsh winds, while remaining soft enough to maintain comfort during the colder months, it is ideal for both fall and winter weather.
- Charmeuse – is a lightweight, smooth fabric that can be used both for clothing and upholstery. Hemp charmeuse has been woven to achieve a rich texture, making it perfect for scarves or jacket linings during the colder months of the year.
The majority of fabrics available today can be used to create hemp clothing, allowing hemp lovers to stay stylish and environmentally conscious.
Hemp Clothing FAQ
Hemp clothing is made from the fibers of the Cannabis sativa plant. From start to finish, producing hemp clothing requires less water and emits significantly less carbon dioxide than cotton.
Its fibers are long and contain greater quantities of cellulose than other natural textile fibers, such as cotton and linen. The relative density (hemp versus cotton) and length (hemp versus synthetic) make it a very good choice for clothing.
Yes, hemp clothing is very affordable.
Although the cheapest clothes are often made of polyester or other petroleum products, starting with hemp fiber is a great option if you want clothes that will last for years and won’t shrink after washing.
Hemp clothing is comfortable because hemp fibers are not alkaline like cotton or wool, and they don’t irritate or cause allergies like silk does sometimes. In fact, the softest fabrics in the world contain hemp.
Hemp, linen, and other fabrics with natural fibers wrinkle because moisture can make its way to the fabric’s surface.
Since these fabrics have no nonwoven layers (such as polyester taffeta-type lining), they do not act as barriers.
Yes, hemp is an excellent alternative fabric to synthetics because it has natural wicking capabilities, which means it moves moisture (perspiration) away from the skin. Additionally, hemp is naturally UV-resistant and anti-microbial, so it does not hold onto body odors or attract bacteria.
Hemp is very soft and has a beautiful texture, which is why many activewear enthusiasts use it for yoga pants and sports bras.
One of the downfalls of hemp is that its fibers are thinner than other fabrics like cotton or spandex, which means that they lose cohesion more quickly in high-stress areas like knees or underarms.
Brands Using Hemp Fabrics
There are many options available on the market today. Hemp fabric brands available today include:
Loomstate – Its clothing is made with organic cotton and hemp.. All products are produced in the United States using sustainable practices. Loomstate products are ethically made, vegan-friendly, and sweatshop-free. By using recycled fabrics, consumers can reduce their waste when supporting this brand.
- Hempest – creates men’s and women’s casual hemp clothing, making this one of our favorite hemp clothing brands right now since they offer something for everyone, regardless of whether you’re looking for menswear or womenswear.
- Kuyichi – a Dutch company that makes sustainable clothing with hemp fabric.
- Hugo Boss – Hemp is being used to create a variety of clothing for Hugo Boss, including shirts and jackets.
The North Face – hemp fabric has been incorporated into some of The North Face’s Footwear makes it easier for consumers who want sustainable fashion without sacrificing style, made with 77% hemp.
Kowtow – this Australian-based company uses hemp in some of its products making it perfect for everyone who loves hemp and wants all-natural fibers on their skin!
Levi’s – uses hemp both in its sustainable clothing line and in its jeans.
Hemp Clothing Is Becoming More Popular Than Ever And We’re Loving It!
With the rise of sustainable fashion, hemp clothing is making a comeback. Hemp clothing offers eco-conscious shoppers a stylish way to stay on-trend without sacrificing their values while remaining environmentally friendly.
Hemp clothing offers a variety of benefits, and we look forward to how hemp fashion can transform the future.
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