Walk into almost any clothing store today and you’ll find garments made from dozens of different materials. Some labels proudly advertise organic cotton or linen, while others list unfamiliar names like modal, viscose, or TENCEL™. And of course, many of the most affordable pieces are made primarily from polyester, nylon, or acrylic.

Understanding what these fabrics actually are (and how they’re made) can make shopping for clothing feel much less overwhelming.

At Sustainably Chic, we generally encourage choosing natural fibers whenever possible. While no fabric is completely impact-free, natural materials are often biodegradable, renewable, and don’t shed plastic microfibers each time they’re washed.

This guide explains the most common fabrics you’ll encounter, how they’re made, their advantages and drawbacks, and which ones we tend to recommend.

What Are Natural Fabrics?

Natural fabrics come from plants or animals rather than petroleum. Unlike synthetic materials, they’re derived from renewable resources and, in most cases, will eventually biodegrade under the right conditions.

The most common natural fibers include:

• Organic cotton
• Conventional cotton
• Linen
• Hemp
• Wool
• Alpaca
• Cashmere
• Silk

While natural doesn’t automatically mean sustainable, these materials generally avoid one of the fashion industry’s biggest long-term pollution issues: microplastic shedding.

Plant-Based Natural Fabrics

1. Organic Cotton

Organic cotton remains one of our favorite everyday fabrics. Instead of relying on genetically modified seeds and many synthetic pesticides used in conventional farming, certified organic cotton follows stricter environmental standards.

Why we like it:

• Soft and breathable
• Easy to care for
• Widely available
• Doesn’t shed plastic fibers
• Often certified by GOTS

Best for:

• T-shirts
• Dresses
• Underwear
• Children’s clothing
• Bedding

2. Conventional Cotton

Cotton itself is a natural fiber, but conventional cotton farming can require significant amounts of water and pesticides depending on where it’s grown. It’s still preferable to polyester in many situations because it doesn’t release plastic microfibers during washing, though organic cotton is typically our first choice when available.

3. Linen

Made from the flax plant, linen is one of the oldest textiles in the world, and one of the most sustainable. Flax generally requires less irrigation than cotton and can grow in poorer soils, making linen a lower-impact option in many regions.

Pros

• Extremely breathable
• Durable
• Naturally moisture-wicking
• Becomes softer over time
• Long lifespan

Best for:

• Summer clothing
• Dresses
• Pants
• Shirts
• Home textiles

4. Hemp

Hemp has become increasingly popular as more brands look for durable, lower-impact fibers. It grows quickly, requires relatively little water, and produces an incredibly strong textile that softens beautifully with wear.

Best for:

• Everyday basics
• Jackets
• Pants
• Bags

Animal-Based Natural Fabrics

1. Wool

Wool naturally regulates temperature better than many synthetic fabrics. It keeps you warm in winter while remaining breathable enough for transitional weather. Look for certifications like the Responsible Wool Standard (RWS) when possible.

2. Merino Wool

Merino wool is finer than traditional wool, making it softer against the skin. It’s especially popular for hiking, travel, and activewear because it naturally resists odors.

3. Cashmere

Cashmere is luxuriously soft and incredibly warm. Because demand has grown rapidly, overgrazing has become a concern in some regions, making responsible sourcing particularly important. High-quality cashmere can last decades with proper care.

4. Alpaca

Alpaca wool is warm, lightweight, and naturally hypoallergenic because it contains less lanolin than sheep’s wool.

5. Silk

Silk is a natural protein fiber produced by silkworms. It’s lightweight, breathable, and biodegradable, although its production raises ethical concerns for some shoppers.

Semi-Synthetic Fabrics

These fabrics begin as plants but undergo significant chemical processing before becoming fabric. They’re often better described as regenerated cellulose fibers rather than truly natural textiles.

1. TENCEL™ Lyocell

One of our favorite semi-synthetic fabrics. TENCEL™ uses wood pulp sourced from responsibly managed forests and is produced in a largely closed-loop process that recovers much of the solvent used during manufacturing. It’s soft, breathable, and drapes beautifully.

2. Modal

Modal is typically made from beech trees. It’s exceptionally soft but varies greatly depending on how responsibly it’s produced.

3. Viscose (Rayon)

Viscose begins with plant pulp but often involves chemically intensive manufacturing. Some responsibly produced viscose exists, but transparency varies considerably between brands.

4. Bamboo

Many shoppers assume bamboo fabric is automatically sustainable because bamboo itself grows quickly. However, most bamboo clothing is actually bamboo viscose, which undergoes heavy chemical processing before becoming fabric. We recommend looking for bamboo lyocell.

Which Fabrics Do We Recommend?

Our general order of preference looks something like this:

1. Organic Cotton (GOTS or regenerative if possible)
2. Linen (organic if possible)
3. Hemp 
4. Recycled Natural Fibers
5. TENCEL™ Lyocell
6. Wool
7. Alpaca
8. Silk
9. Modal (responsibly sourced)
10. Conventional cottons/linens/hemps

When synthetic materials are necessary (for example, in certain performance clothing) we recommend choosing well-made pieces you’ll wear for many years.

Which Fabrics Should You Avoid?

Rather than saying any fabric is inherently “bad,” we usually encourage limiting garments made primarily from:

• Polyester
• Acrylic
• Nylon

These materials are petroleum-based, don’t readily biodegrade, and continue releasing plastic microfibers throughout their lifespan.

How to Read Fabric Labels

When shopping, check the fabric composition before buying.

For example:

✔ 100% Organic Cotton

✔ 100% Linen

✔ 95% Organic Cotton / 5% Elastane

✔ 70% Hemp / 30% Organic Cotton

Generally, we recommend choosing garments where natural fibers make up the majority of the fabric content.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most sustainable fabric?

There’s no single answer, but organic cotton, linen, hemp, and responsibly sourced wool are among the lower-impact options available today.

Are natural fabrics always sustainable?

Not necessarily. Farming methods, processing, dyeing, labor practices, and transportation all influence a fabric’s overall impact.

Is bamboo a natural fabric?

The bamboo plant is natural, but most bamboo clothing is made into bamboo viscose through chemical processing.

Is polyester worse than cotton?

Both have environmental impacts, but polyester is petroleum-based and sheds plastic microfibers, while cotton is biodegradable.

What is the healthiest fabric to wear?

Many people prefer breathable natural fibers like organic cotton, linen, hemp, and wool because they contain no plastic fibers and are often produced with fewer chemical treatments when certified.

Final Thoughts

Learning about fabrics is one of the best ways to become a more thoughtful shopper. You don’t have to memorize every textile or replace your entire wardrobe overnight. Simply understanding what’s in your clothes can help you choose pieces that last longer, feel better to wear, and align more closely with your values.

At Sustainably Chic, we believe progress matters more than perfection. Whether you’re choosing organic cotton over conventional cotton, investing in a timeless linen dress, or simply becoming more aware of the labels you’re reading, every small decision helps build a more intentional wardrobe.