Hemp! The Future of Sustainable Fashion

With the increased debate on the harm the fashion industry is causing to the environment, more people, particularly the younger generation, are becoming more concerned about the sustainability and environmental impact of the things they are wearing.

Now more than ever, consumers insist on more sustainability and environmental responsibility in the fashion industry, as increasing numbers demand more eco-friendly fashion products.

So how can the fashion industry keep its consumers fashionable while being friendlier to the environment? Well, the solution may be the hemp plant.

The hemp plant has been used in the textile industry for centuries. However, its connection to the more notorious marijuana plant has caused a lot of unwarranted negative attention to the hemp plant. Nonetheless, hemp is coming back in a big way as the stigma surrounding this plant reduces and more fashion brands begin to explore the possibilities that fabric made from hemp could have on sustainable fashion.

Gone are the days when hemp fabric was just rigid and rough sacks that were only used by hippies. Instead, this fabric offers comfort and durability that could be a real game changer for the fashion industry. Here are a few reasons why more fashion brands should be turning to hemp.

It is a Carbon Absorber

One of the leading causes of global warming is the excessive increase of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Moreover, fast fashion is an essential contributor to growing levels of carbon, thanks to the quick production and disposal of clothing the industry promotes.

However, the hemp plant is a powerful carbon absorbent, taking in more carbon dioxide than it emits. Plus, considering hemp is a readily biodegradable material, it has a friendlier environmental footprint compared to the more popular synthetic fibers such as polyester and nylon, which can take up to 200 years to degrade.

Hemp Fabric is Soft and Comfortable

When most people think of hemp, they often think of it as a rough course fabric, but this could not be further from the truth. Hemp fabric is sturdy and quite soft and comfortable on the skin. In fact, unlike other fabrics hemp becomes softer and more comfortable as time goes by.

Instead of your clothes losing their sturdiness and shape with each wash, hemp clothes become softer while retaining their shape with each wash.

Hemp Fabric Has Antimicrobial Properties

Worried about bacteria growing on your clothes causing skin diseases and bad odor? Well, you don’t have to worry about that with hemp. Hemp fabric has antimicrobial properties, which means it is resistant to the growth of microbes and bacteria on your clothing.

Hemp Is Chemically Free and Good For The Soil

The hemp plant grows like a weed and has natural pest-repelling properties. Therefore it does not require pesticides and herbicides to cultivate. Plus, hemp requires less land to produce fiber and is gentler to the soil, taking less of its resources when compared to other plants. In fact, the hemp plant can actually detoxify the soil removing pollutants and improving soil structure.

Hemp Fabric is Durable and Breathable

One of the things to love about hemp fabric is that it is lightweight yet durable. It is considered one of the strongest and most durable natural textile fibers available. The clothes made with hemp fabric stay sturdy with age. Hence, its users do not have to worry about wear and tear.

Furthermore, the porosity of hemp fibers allows it to be breathable, adding to the comfort of its clothes.

Thus, considering the numerous benefits hemp fashion industry, it is no wonder why more fashion brands are looking at this plant as the future of sustainable fashion. Mainstream adoption of the hemp plant in the fashion industry could help it become more socially and environmentally responsible.