{"id":24110,"title":"Sustainable clothing materials for Summer & Winter","description":"Weather is still guiding our decision making on what to wear. Textiles are the vehicle to deliver on those needs. Read on to discover some of the best sustainable fabric options for summer and winter.","content":"

Ok, here we go!<\/h3>

To quickly summarise: We want sustainable textiles that provide warmth in winter and cool us down in summer, and we want to look good in them, too. This is part two of our post series on the discovery of quality clothing [click here to read part 1<\/u><\/a>], providing some tips which textiles to look out for and where to buy unique quality clothes.<\/p>

Utilitarian Aspects<\/h3>

When I refer to reviving clothes\u2019 utilitarian value, I am mainly referring to its primary goal of benefiting us during all seasons. Weather is still guiding our decision making on what to wear. Textiles are the vehicle to deliver on those needs. Distinguishing between summer and winter, here are some sustainable materials to look out for in both seasons.<\/p>

<\/p>

Summer fabrics that keep you cool<\/strong><\/h3>

Linen \u2014 Best Summer Fabric of all<\/strong><\/p>

- biodegradable, i.e. will break down over time
- one of the oldest textiles in the world
- natural fabric made from flax fibres
- light, comfortable
- great breathability
- dries very fast when wet or damp<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>

Organic Cotton<\/strong><\/p>

- biodegradable, i.e. will break down over time
- produced without the use of chemicals, pesticides, or insecticides
- good choice for those with sensitive skin
- used in apparel for hundreds of years
- softer than polyester
- breathable and comfortable
- readily absorbs moisture and helps regulate your body temperature
- good for year-round wear depending on thickness of the textile<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>

Silk<\/strong><\/p>

- biodegradable and recyclable
- one of the oldest, most luxurious fabrics
- spun from the cocoons of silkworms
- natural protein structure makes it hypoallergenic
- beautiful, strong and comfortable
- natural sheen
- tightly woven silk clothes retain heat and moisture
- loosely woven silk is even suitable for hot August days<\/em><\/p>

<\/p>

Peace Silk is an ethical silk that is extracted after the life-cycle of the silkworm is completed. In comparison, during conventional silk production, the silkworm has to be killed in order to retrieve the thread undamaged.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>


For wintertime you can rely on the following choices<\/h3>

Organic Cotton<\/strong><\/p>

- being a universal fabric allows to be made thin for summer or thick for winter
- great alternative for people who have allergies to winter fabrics like wool<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>

Wool<\/strong><\/p>

- raw wool is typically gotten from sheep
- incredibly warm fabric
- it creates a natural insulation due to the air pockets that are present throughout
- water-resistant and thus a good option for snowy & rainy weather
- lightweight, yet strong
- fairly durable and long-lasting<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>

Sustainable Leather<\/strong><\/p>

- sourced as the byproduct of farming and the agricultural industry as opposed to being sourced from animals raised for producing leather goods
- highly durable, it outlives all synthetic material & cotton based clothing
- breathability makes it versatile, keeps you warm or cold and regulates body heat
- when treated or waxed leather is resistant against water and other liquids
- leather shoes will mould to the shape of your foot (synthetics won\u2019t)
- it gets better with time, but you need to look after it to get the most out of it
-easy to clean<\/em><\/p>

<\/p>

Vegan leather<\/em><\/strong>: The traditional leather industry is a topic in and for itself with many issues. For ethical and environmental reasons, we should also consider vegan alternatives such as\u00a0banana, pineapple or apple leather. It is argued that vegan [synthetic]\u00a0leather is far less harmful to the planet than traditionally sourced animal leather.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>

The above list doesn't claim to be exhaustive, but to provide a brief guideline of benefits provided through the choice of natural materials. Synthetic fibres such as polyamide [also known as Nylon] or polyester have not been discussed here. However, there are highly technical materials based on synthetic fibres that offer unique benefits when it comes to durability, fast drying, moisture resistance or moisture wicking. This is why you can often find them in outdoor or active wear, water and non-water sports alike.\u00a0
Utility in clothing is also a function of activity, and there are good use cases for recyclable, synthetic fibres. For example Econyl which is a regenerated and recyclable nylon made from waste such as old fishing nets, industrial plastic from landfill and the ocean [Econyl, The Process<\/a>].<\/p>

Hedonic Aspects<\/h3>

Secondly, the\u00a0hedonic<\/em>\u00a0value must not be neglected. Given our society is moving more and more to individualism and self-expression, the hedonic value might be even more important than ever.<\/p>


Many companies work on made-on-demand, individualised and personalised garments. Authenticity and uniqueness is what many customers seek. Rightfully so, as we\u2019ve been there before, but lost it on the path to uniformity and mass consumption. Before the ready-to-wear industry became popular during the mid 19th century, clothes have been tailored to a precise fit. In order to keep up with trends, one had to amend the style of existing garments or more wealthy individuals got new garments made.
Over the past years, search demand for\u00a0sustainable brands<\/em>\u00a0has massively increased [Google Trends, March 2020<\/a>]. You don\u2019t have to rely on the 52-micro seasons from the fast fashion industry to get your \u201cunique\u201d [mass market] piece. Today, uniqueness is provided by the plethora of small, independent sustainable labels<\/u> out there. Many of which require to be found through some research, but they exist!<\/p>

I believe that the conscious customer is seeking to continue satisfying his or her desire for beauty and self-expression, without neglecting utilitarian and sustainability values. This new wave of small, independent brands serves exactly this need. Here are some excellent platforms and apps helping you to discover unique and sustainable options:<\/p>

Avocadostore \u2014 Sustainable Fashion Marketplace, DACH region
AEQUEM \u2014 Sustainable Shopping Platform
Project CeCe \u2014Online search engine for fair and sustainable fashion
Faer App \u2014 An innovative search approach to discover sustainable fashion brands
CoGo App \u2014 Helping you to engage in a sustainable lifestyle, including clothing<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>

Yes, the average price tag might be higher than on the high street. But when you consider the cost per wear for a high quality product vs a low quality product, which you then have to replace, you\u2019ll end up with a similar investment. Most importantly, there is no price tag on a destroyed environment!<\/p>

Summary<\/h2>

Clothes with true value are designed for longevity. They respect the fundamentals of sustainability and are created with a clear purpose in mind. True value is provided when designers have taken advantage of the various benefits natural and synthetic fibres provide. Furthermore, clothes should offer uniqueness and style to allow for self-expression. <\/p>

True value can be understood, seen and felt by the customer, You.<\/strong><\/p>

Let\u2019s rediscover value and make clothes our personal luxury items we love and care for. We\u2019ll treat them as we perceive them!

OilOnShirt,
Wear Sustainable<\/p>","urlTitle":"sustainable-clothing-materials-for-summer-winter","url":"\/blog\/sustainable-clothing-materials-for-summer-winter\/","editListUrl":"\/my-blogs","editUrl":"\/my-blogs\/edit\/sustainable-clothing-materials-for-summer-winter\/","fullUrl":"https:\/\/shop.oilonshirt.com\/blog\/sustainable-clothing-materials-for-summer-winter\/","featured":false,"published":true,"showOnSitemap":true,"hidden":false,"visibility":null,"createdAt":1674222813,"updatedAt":1674223835,"publishedAt":1674223835,"lastReadAt":null,"division":{"id":221508,"name":"OilOnShirt"},"tags":[],"metaImage":{"original":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/ngeku7ot96imzjxqsdtyd4v2nbskeanh7bhsgxc8zxykl02c.jpeg","thumbnail":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/ngeku7ot96imzjxqsdtyd4v2nbskeanh7bhsgxc8zxykl02c.jpeg.jpg?w=1140&h=855","banner":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/ngeku7ot96imzjxqsdtyd4v2nbskeanh7bhsgxc8zxykl02c.jpeg.jpg?w=1920&h=1440"},"metaTitle":"","metaDescription":"","keyPhraseCampaignId":null,"series":[],"similarReads":[{"id":26698,"title":"How to Create Stunning Custom Print T-Shirts with AI","url":"\/blog\/how-to-create-custom-print-shirt-designs-with-ai\/","urlTitle":"how-to-create-custom-print-shirt-designs-with-ai","division":221508,"description":"Create what doesn\u2019t exist (yet)! We started out with a humble vision: wear your own art on sustainably made clothing. Now, nearly 2 years later, we are still on the same mission, but with mind-blowing new technology under the hood. Learn how to create your unique print design in seconds, with AI.","published":true,"metaImage":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/r601jbtos8sbvg7lyzykbskjl97gjfeypt0ndrgdrht1swyc.png.jpg?w=1140&h=855","banner":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/r601jbtos8sbvg7lyzykbskjl97gjfeypt0ndrgdrht1swyc.png.jpg?w=1920&h=1440"},"hidden":0},{"id":23452,"title":"Top 5 Art Instagram Accounts to follow 2023","url":"\/blog\/our-favourite-art-instagram-accounts-to-follow\/","urlTitle":"our-favourite-art-instagram-accounts-to-follow","division":221508,"description":"Looking for creative fuel? Check out our latest artist shortlist for your daily dose of inspiration. Enjoy!","published":true,"metaImage":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/glyu1z4jqu8aefh2fbh8svtlkit8umktamw1j460nb0cix5p.png.jpg?w=1140&h=855","banner":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/glyu1z4jqu8aefh2fbh8svtlkit8umktamw1j460nb0cix5p.png.jpg?w=1920&h=1440"},"hidden":0},{"id":24107,"title":"Rediscover True Value in Everyday Apparel","url":"\/blog\/rediscover-true-value-in-everyday-apparel\/","urlTitle":"rediscover-true-value-in-everyday-apparel","division":221508,"description":"For the sake of our bodies and planet we need to rediscover True Value in everyday apparel. Clothes with true value are designed for longevity. They respect the fundamentals of sustainability and are created with a clear purpose in mind. True value can be understood, seen and felt by the customer.","published":true,"metaImage":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/fv1yreu5ayvncuznhe2mjdgspgexchjxh3yhpeypzzki0jmh.jpeg.jpg?w=1140&h=855","banner":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/fv1yreu5ayvncuznhe2mjdgspgexchjxh3yhpeypzzki0jmh.jpeg.jpg?w=1920&h=1440"},"hidden":0}],"labels":[]}