I’ve avoided synthetic fabrics for years. People used to think I was just being a woowoo anti-science luddite hippy (this was back before microplastics were a well-known phenomenon). But the fact is I just didn’t like the texture of synthetics.
Here are some examples of natural fiber, all of which are lovely:
Linen - made from flax; lightweight, airy, dries quickly. Great for summer.
Bamboo - made from bamboo. Feels like a dream. Softer than cotton, lighter than linen, smooth as silk. Sustainable. Not even crazy expensive.
Micromodal - made from beech trees. Similar to bamboo, but even softer.
Rayon - made from cellulose. Often used in blends to impart softness and elasticity. Many different kinds. Bamboo and micromodal might technically be kinds of rayon. Also known as viscose.
Non-vegan:
Sheep’s wool - Many varieties. Soft, warm, comfortable even when wet. Great for winter (and hiking socks!). Can be felted due to the properties of the fiber. Comes in a range of qualities, but low quality wool can be itchy.
Alpaca - Like wool, but softer, sturdier, and warmer. More expensive than wool.
Kashmere - made from a species of goat fiber. Very very soft. Also expensive.
Mohair - Different kind of goat wool. Haven’t tried this one personally so I can’t describe it.
Angora - Made from rabbit wool! Also haven’t tried this one, but supposedly it’s very soft.
Yak - Suuuper warm. Durable. Not as expensive as you might think.
Silk - Soft, smooth, shiny. Also non-conductive and low-friction! Tends to be expensive, though.
And of course, cotton is versatile and has a wide range of qualities (depends on growing region, thread count, and processing methods. Pima and Egyptian cotton are supposed to be the highest quality, but are also more expensive. Organic cotton is best for the environment).
Here are just some examples of fabrics you can make with cotton:
Jersey knit
Terry cloth
Flannel
Denim
Satin
Muslin
Be sure to check the tags though: many “cotton blends” contain polyester, and often they label something “flannel” when it’s just polyester with a plaid print (real flannel is a type of fabric, not the pattern on the cloth. If you can’t see the individual threads that make up the pattern, it’s not real flannel, just a print).
Final note: most fibers can be either knit or woven, with textures depending accordingly. There are sooo many different kinds of wovens, each with its own unique pattern. Could write a whole textbook just on different kinds of weave.
Although, I find it difficult to find real hemp products. So many things that used to be hemp are now made of acrylic (drug rugs, mexican-style blankets, etc.)
I think I have a pair of flip flops lined with hemp, and you’re right, it is a lot like linen!
Hey, not to be that guy, but viscose and “bamboo” etc. are not natural and environmentally friendly fabrics. They are from natural fibers but heavily chemically processed. I wear them too in boxers because they are very durable and nice to wear. But just wanted to inform you!
The viscose rayon made from bamboo requires pretty nasty solvents, and that’s the stuff used to make soft stuff like underpants. It can also be made into a stiffer thread more like linen without a chemical process.
Organic cotton is actually way softer than regular cotton. I forget the explanation that I read, but I think it has something to do with using a better variety.
Bamboo and micromodal make good underwear. I haven’t tried them in the summer yet so I don’t know how they hold up in heat and humidity.
Linen can be good for underwear. It’s very breathable, but sometimes it takes a few washes before it feels soft. Also, it doesn’t have any natural elasticity, so it needs an elastic waistband to stay up. Sometimes it has a drawstring, but I prefer the waistband personally. It’s also loose and flowy, so if you wear tight clothes and don’t want it bunching underneath, linen isn’t a good choice for underwear. If you wear loose, flowy clothes anyway, linen is a great choice.
If you’re willing to put out the expense, silk undies sound kinda awesome. Never tried that myself though so I’m not sure how breathable it is.
Personally, I love linen in general for hot weather. You can wear long sleeves to keep the sun off, and its so airy that you don’t even feel hot under your clothes. Especially if it’s a light color. It also dries quickly, so it’s not like cotton where once you sweat you’ll be wet all day. Spend thirty minutes in the shade on a breezy day, and your linen clothes will already be dry
Yeah but where’s the fun in that?
I’ve avoided synthetic fabrics for years. People used to think I was just being a woowoo anti-science luddite hippy (this was back before microplastics were a well-known phenomenon). But the fact is I just didn’t like the texture of synthetics.
Here are some examples of natural fiber, all of which are lovely:
Non-vegan:
And of course, cotton is versatile and has a wide range of qualities (depends on growing region, thread count, and processing methods. Pima and Egyptian cotton are supposed to be the highest quality, but are also more expensive. Organic cotton is best for the environment).
Here are just some examples of fabrics you can make with cotton:
Be sure to check the tags though: many “cotton blends” contain polyester, and often they label something “flannel” when it’s just polyester with a plaid print (real flannel is a type of fabric, not the pattern on the cloth. If you can’t see the individual threads that make up the pattern, it’s not real flannel, just a print).
Final note: most fibers can be either knit or woven, with textures depending accordingly. There are sooo many different kinds of wovens, each with its own unique pattern. Could write a whole textbook just on different kinds of weave.
You missed hemp. I’ve only the one shirt and haven’t worn it much yet but it seems similar to linen. I’ll find out as it gets warmer.
Good point! I did forget that one.
Although, I find it difficult to find real hemp products. So many things that used to be hemp are now made of acrylic (drug rugs, mexican-style blankets, etc.)
I think I have a pair of flip flops lined with hemp, and you’re right, it is a lot like linen!
Rayon is still toxic to the environment to some degree
Hey, not to be that guy, but viscose and “bamboo” etc. are not natural and environmentally friendly fabrics. They are from natural fibers but heavily chemically processed. I wear them too in boxers because they are very durable and nice to wear. But just wanted to inform you!
Nice to know, but does that depend on how it’s processed? Like would it still apply to an organic bamboo fabric?
The viscose rayon made from bamboo requires pretty nasty solvents, and that’s the stuff used to make soft stuff like underpants. It can also be made into a stiffer thread more like linen without a chemical process.
Good to know.
Organic cotton is actually way softer than regular cotton. I forget the explanation that I read, but I think it has something to do with using a better variety.
lol I was memeing but this is good info. Which is your preferred fabric for undies? I live in a hot climate so cotton and wool are not preferred…
Bamboo and micromodal make good underwear. I haven’t tried them in the summer yet so I don’t know how they hold up in heat and humidity.
Linen can be good for underwear. It’s very breathable, but sometimes it takes a few washes before it feels soft. Also, it doesn’t have any natural elasticity, so it needs an elastic waistband to stay up. Sometimes it has a drawstring, but I prefer the waistband personally. It’s also loose and flowy, so if you wear tight clothes and don’t want it bunching underneath, linen isn’t a good choice for underwear. If you wear loose, flowy clothes anyway, linen is a great choice.
If you’re willing to put out the expense, silk undies sound kinda awesome. Never tried that myself though so I’m not sure how breathable it is.
Personally, I love linen in general for hot weather. You can wear long sleeves to keep the sun off, and its so airy that you don’t even feel hot under your clothes. Especially if it’s a light color. It also dries quickly, so it’s not like cotton where once you sweat you’ll be wet all day. Spend thirty minutes in the shade on a breezy day, and your linen clothes will already be dry
U basedmaxxing and fibermogging no cap
Everyone thinks nudity is great until they remember how the average person actually looks
Or how much the sun will fuck you up
Or the lack of sun
This one is real
Maybe just a loin cloth then.
lol seeing ugly people doesn’t hurt you.
it hurts my soul