Category: Natural Fibers

Natural Fibers

Three Reasons to Wear Natural Fibers This Summer by Noelle Eagle

kasperorganics - organic cotton

It’s summer and the sunshine is calling us outside for some fun! Whether you’re going on vacation, having a picnic, or just vibing in your backyard, the clothing you choose could make or break the experience. The right clothes will help you avoid overheating and getting sunburned, while also resonating with your personal style. Fabric choice is a key consideration when you are assembling your summer outfits. Let’s look at three reasons to choose fabrics made from natural fibers, like organic cotton and hemp.

  1. Feel Cool 

You’ve probably heard that natural fibers, like organic cotton or hemp, will help you stay cool because they are more “breathable.” According to scientists at the University of California, Santa Barbara, cotton fibers have tiny spaces in between them which allow hot air to flow away from your body (UCSB ScienceLine 2020). As the air moves, it carries heat away from your skin, so you’ll feel more refreshed and breezy even on a hot day. As noted by Synzenbe, writing for Fibre2Fashion.com, hemp is also a breathable fabric choice. Clothes made from hemp will keep you “cool in summer” because the fabric is made of “hollow fibers,” (Synzenbe 2021). Hemp also has similar characteristics to linen, like its ability to absorb moisture and then dry quickly (Synzenbe 2021). The evaporating moisture will help you feel cooler and more comfortable.

  1. Look Cool 

A great summer outfit will make you feel confident and look your best. Natural fibers, like organic cotton and hemp, are soft and drape becomingly for a chic appearance. According to style expert and popular YouTuber, Anna Bey, clothing made from natural fabrics are more flattering and look more high-end. A supple organic cotton t-shirt is always a classic. Pair it with a lightweight, jersey circle scarf for Jackie O. vibes. In addition to organic cotton, hemp fabrics will also enhance your summer style. Synzenbe’s article, mentioned above, notes that hemp textiles are easy to dye and resist fading in the sun, so your favorite colors will last for many summers to come!  

  1. Don’t Get Burned

We all know it’s important to protect our skin from getting too much sun exposure. The average t-shirt only blocks a limited amount of the sun’s rays, but natural textiles like organic cotton and especially hemp, offer greater protection. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, “unbleached cotton contains natural lignins that act as UV absorbers.” Clothing acts as a physical barrier that comes between the ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun and our skin.  As explained by the Skin Cancer Foundation, “Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) indicates how much UV radiation (both UVB and UVA) a fabric allows to reach your skin.” They go on to say that, “a UPF 50 fabric blocks 98 percent of the sun’s rays and allows two percent (1/50th) to penetrate, thus reducing your exposure risk significantly.” According to Vival Vishek, CEO and co-founder of the Hemp Foundation, hemp has a rating of UPF 50, making it a great fabric choice for your clothing when you’re outdoors this summer or anytime.

Thanks for reading and have a fantastic summer!