What Are The Most Sustainable Fabrics & Clothing Materials?

Simply put, it’s a bit more complicated than that. Different fabrics provide different benefits and downsides; plastic-based fabrics like polyester will last an incredibly long long time and are perfect for technical gear like outerwear, but virgin plastics are made using petrochemicals. Natural fibres like linen and organic cotton are soft and comfortable, however growing those crops requires large amounts of energy and water, and they generally do not last as long as synthetic fabrics.

Finding the most sustainable fabrics and materials is about a balance, and weighing the benefits against the environmental costs. At Finisterre, we prioritise using recycled synthetic fabrics over those made of virgin plastics, and choose organic and natural materials that are grown with less impact on the environment than standard crops. Producing these fabrics still has an environmental impact, but our aim is to reduce this impact as much as possible whilst still making the best product that stands the test of time, and in 2023 91% of our collection was made with organic, recycled and natural materials.

There are numerous benefits to choosing sustainable fabrics for your clothing. Most standard clothing materials can be produced in a lower impact way – whether that’s organically grown cotton that requires no harsh synthetic fertilisers or pesticides and can be grown with less water than standard cotton, or recycled plastic fabrics made from post consumer waste to keep materials in circulation for longer and reduce dependence on oil. This reduces the impact on the planet by cutting down on resource consumption, helps promote ethical growing and manufacturing practices, and the fabrics produced are well known for their strength and longevity.

Cotton is one of the most used fabrics for clothing globally, however not all cotton is created equal. Industrially or conventionally grown cotton is farmed intensively, using significant amounts of water and energy, as well as harsh synthetic chemical pesticides and fertilisers. These extractive farming practices can have a significant detrimental effect on the land and on people living near production sites.

However, cotton can be produced with lower impact when grown using organic and regenerative farming methods, which eliminates the use of those harsh synthetic chemicals and can be achieved using less water than standard cotton production. The resulting fabric is just as strong and soft as standard cotton, but comes with a lower environmental cost.

We’ve been pushing for lower impact materials since our founding, and were early adopters of using 100% recycled fabrics to make our outerwear. Over the years, we’ve built our range to showcase these lower impact materials, so here are some of our favourites:

Produced by plants or animals, natural fibres create soft, breathable fabrics that are comfortable, long lasting and renewable:

- Organic Cotton: As mentioned above, organic cotton is grown with less water and no harsh synthetic chemicals, reducing the impact on the land and those who live near growing sites. It’s soft, breathable, and incredibly comfortable, making it the perfect fabric for next-to-skin garments.

- Linen: Used by humans for thousands of years and made from the fibres of the Flax plant, linen is strong, breathable and naturally anti-bacterial.

- Hemp: With similar properties to linen, hemp is another fabric that’s been worn by humans for millennia. It’s incredibly fast growing and requires only rainwater to grow.

- Wool: Naturally insulating, moisture wicking, temperature-regulating, anti-bacterial, fire resistant – the list of wool’s natural benefits seems unending. Add to this the fact that sheep can grow a new fleece each season, and it’s easy to see why it remains one of our favourite regenerative fabrics.

Using recycled materials reduces impact on the planet by keeping existing materials in use for longer, rather than creating new virgin fabrics. Most commonly recycled materials are synthetic, like the 100% recycled polyester in our outerwear, however recycled natural fabrics like recycled cotton are now becoming more widely available.

- Recycled Polyester: Our recycled polyester comes from a variety of industrial and post-consumer waste streams, from discarded plastic bottles to old carpets and marine waste like fishing nets. These recycled fabrics provide exactly the same performance as virgin ones, but with greatly reduced impact and without relying on oil-based petrochemicals.

- Recycled Polyamide (aka, Nylon): Similar to recycled polyester, polyamide can be recycled multiple times whilst retaining its material value and provides hard-wearing, weatherproof fabrics that are essential for long-lasting technical gear.

- Recycled Cotton: Until recently it has been difficult to recycle natural fabrics, however developments in recycled cotton have made this material more readily available and it’s on the rise - meaning old garments can be recycled into new ones.

- Recycled Wool: Our Hegen fleeces contain 63% recycled wool, recovering this valuable material from industry waste and using it to create new garments.

When it comes to choosing ‘sustainable’ materials, the most planet-friendly option is often the one that lasts the longest. Hard-wearing, long-lasting clothing ultimately means that you will buy less and reduce your overall consumption. Here are some key factors to keep in mind when selecting lower impact clothing for your wardrobe:

- Quality Over Quantity: Invest in well-made clothing that stands the test of time to reduce overall consumption.

- Buy Pre-Loved Gear: Choosing high-quality second-hand gear gives that product a second chance at life, especially when it is still functional. Check out our resale platform on Reskinned to shop pre-loved Finisterre gear.

- Take Care of Your Clothes: The most sustainable product is the one you already own, so make sure to properly wash and care for your garment to keep it going and performing at its best for as long as possible. Learn how to best look after your clothes with our at-home care guides and tutorials.

By making informed choices about the fabrics you choose to wear, you can contribute to creating a more responsible fashion industry. Demand lower impact materials and practices, and embrace slow fashion that looks and feels good for both you and the planet.