What is Hemp Fabric?
Hemp fabric is derived from the fibers of the Cannabis sativa plant. While hemp is related to marijuana, the industrial hemp being utilized for apparel contains only trace amounts of THC—less than 0.3 percent—and has no psychoactive effects. Hemp fibers are some of the strongest and most durable natural fibers available. They have a natural resistance to mold, mildew, and ultra-violet light.
Woven into fabric, hemp is most nearly comparable to linen in texture. A bit stiff at first, it breaks in with every wash. Breathable, absorbent, and naturally insulating, hemp fabric keeps one cool in the summer and warm in the winter.
Benefits of Hemp Clothing
There are many reasons to choose hemp clothing over conventional ones:
- Eco-Friendly: Hemp is the most environmentally friendly crop. It grows very fast, doesn’t require pesticides, and improves the healthiness of the soil. Hemp fabric is biodegradable and recyclable.
- Durable: Hemp fibers are surprisingly strong and rarely wear down. Hemp clothes often last longer than items of clothing made from cotton or synthetic fabrics.
- Comfortable: While being highly durable, hemp fabric is soft, breatheable, and quite comfortable to wear. It tends to be less irritating to the skin than many other natural fibers.
- Versatile: Hemp can be woven into a variety of weights and weaves that will accommodate everything from summer dresses to winter coats.
Low Maintenance: Hemp fabric is resistant to dirt and odors. It doesn’t require dry cleaning and is machine washable and dryable.
Kinds of Hemp Clothing and Accessories
Many forms of clothing could, in theory, be made with hemp. Some of the more popular options include:
- T-shirts and tops
- Jeans and pants
- Dresses and skirts
- Jackets and outerwear
- Underwear and lingerie
- Hats and caps
- Shoes and sandals
- Bags and backpacks
Many brands now offer completely 100% hemp clothing, but most sell blends of hemp with other natural fibers like organic cotton or silk. This blending of fibers allows manufacturers to fine tune the properties of the fabric.
Caring for Hemp Clothing
Customer service of hemp clothing is not a problem. Most garments can be machine washed in cold or warm water and tumble dried on low. If needed, hemp garments can be ironed on medium-high. Stiff new hemp garments may require several washes before wearing to soften them up.
One of the natural qualities of hemp means that you’ll find you need to wash your hemp clothing less often than other items in your wardrobe. This saves water and energy and helps the clothing last even longer.
Hemp Accessories
Hemp isn’t just for clothing. This strong and attractive fiber is also ideal for making a variety of accessories:
Jewelry
Knotting and weaving hemp twine into necklaces, bracelets, anklets. This jewelry comes with wooden beads and charms, which help create an effect characterized by being natural and Bohemian.
Bags
Hemp makes strong and stylish bags, totes, handbags, and backpacks. The hemp bags go along great at the beach and as reusable shopping bags.
Hats
From sun hats to beanies, hemp has proved to be a great material for headwear. Being breathable and protective against the sun makes them effective.
Shoes
Hemp can be used to make comfortable, strong shoes, and sandals. Many hemp shoes also have soles made from recycled rubber.
Hemp Fashion Future
As awareness reaches consumers about the ecological effects of their clothes, hemp is apparently going to play a huge role in the future of sustainable fashion. With brands of all kinds gradually developing lines of hemp-based products, celebrities hit the red carpet donning hemp garments.
Innovative companies are also finding new ways to process and blend hemp fibers to create unique textures and properties. From water-resistant outerwear to silky-smooth dress shirts, the potential applications for hemp in fashion are endless.
Hemp vs Other Natural Fibers
Hemp is often compared to other natural fibers like cotton, linen, and silk. Here’s how it stacks up:
Cotton
Hemp uses less water, pesticides, and land to grow compared to cotton. The hemp fibers are stronger and more lasting, too. Nonetheless, cotton is cheaper and softer at the time being.
Linen
Well, linen is also from the plant fibers—flax—and it has a similar texture to hemp. However, hemp is more eco-friendly since it consumes fewer resources for growing and processing.
Silk
Silk is prized for its softness and shine but it is an animal fiber that requires the death of silkworms. Hemp can be processed to achieve a similar softness without the ethical concerns.
Overall, hemp offers a unique combination of sustainability, durability, and comfort that sets it apart from other natural fibers.
How to Incorporate Hemp into Your Wardrobe
If you’re just getting into hemp fashion, start out small. Begin with a basic T-shirt or jeans until you get used to the feel of the fabric. Then you can work your way up to more pieces like dresses, jackets, and such accessories.
Seek brands that work with hemp and skim the reviews to choose the best quality items. Don’t be afraid to ask questions about where and how the hemp is processed.
Consider the care instructions before buying and follow through with these to get the best out of your hemp clothing. With good care, your hemp items can last for years.
Support Hemp Farmers and Brands
Getting into hemp fashion is a decision made for sustainable style in your wardrobe, as you will be supporting farmers and brands working on bringing this amazing plant back into mainstream use.
Many fashion brands in hemp directly work with small farmers in sourcing materials, guaranteeing them fair wages and good working conditions. Others give away a portion of their profits to advocacy and education efforts relating to hemp.
You, the consumers, can vote dollar by dollar to develop the hemp industry. When buying hemp, you are creating demand for this eco-friendly crop, making it more manageable for farmers and other brands.
Conclusion
Hemp fashion is not just a trend; it’s a smart choice for anyone who values sustainability, comfort, and style. When you wear hemp clothing and accessories, you’ll look good, feel good, and do good for the planet. With more brands embracing this amazing plant, the choices in hemp fashion will grow and continue to grow.
