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Sustainable Fabrics: The Future For Clothing Design

A Changing World

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The world is a rapidly changing place and the recent global crisis of Covid-19 has served to highlight the changing world we are living in today. Coupled with climate change, the destruction of ecological environments and the pollution of our oceans, things clearly need to change, and fast. 

Sustainability, Eco-Friendly, and Organic

Sustainability, eco-friendly, and organic are all hot buzz words in today’s modern lexicon, and Beach Bums & Feels totally understands that it needs to play its part in helping the world become a greater place! 

We want to be a greater part of the global movement of, making sure we can look to preserve the world for future generations, further protecting our oceans and saving the planet from ecological disaster. But how have we as an ethical fashion brand started to play our part?

Sustainable Fabrics

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Beach Bums has started with the fundamentals of clothing manufacturing; sustainable fabrics.   As you probably already know, all of our bikinis, beachwear, and swim accessories are made totally from recycled ocean plastic. But when it comes to sustainable fabrics, there are many more options out there that can look to be embraced by fashion designers and the industry as a whole. We also believe that as consumers too, you can also look to care more about what fabrics your clothing is made from, to play your part. So what exactly are sustainable fabrics?

What are Sustainable Fabrics?

Natural vs Synthetic Fibres

In the production process of any type of clothing or garment, there are usually two main types of fibers used, which are Natural and Synthetic.

When talking about natural fibers we can also use the term sustainable fibers interchangeably. In turn, sustainable fibers make up sustainable fabrics. Natural or sustainable fibers are any fibers that are derived from nature, whether that be animal or plant-based.

Synthetic fibers simply put, are man-made and do not occur naturally on our planet. Examples of such are polyester, nylon, spandex and acrylic. Unlike natural and sustainable fibers, synthetic fibers degrade a lot less easily and therefore cannot be called sustainable.

What are some sustainable fabrics?

Cotton, wool, silk, hemp, Bamboo and linen are all considered sustainable fibers that can be composed to form sustainable fabrics. However, not all natural fibers are created equally, for example, cotton is perhaps not as natural as one may be first led to believe.

Is Cotton a Sustainable Fabric?

Although cotton is a natural fiber, its production process means that it far from being sustainable and eco friendly. Cotton production is pesticide and fertilizer intensive and one of the worst crops affecting the environment, biodiversity, and the health of both humans and animals. 

The alternative of course is 100% organic cotton, which is essentially, cotton produced and harvested without using chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Many clothing manufactures claim to be using organic cotton, but it always worth checking the labels to see in actual fact how much of their cotton is truly organic. 

Is silk a sustainable fabric?

It was in ancient China that Silk was discovered and kept a closely guarded secret for thousands of years before the west finally discovered its mysteries and started it’s mass production. But it is silk organic, sustainable, and eco friendly?

Simply put, yes, but from an ethical standpoint, it really all depends on whether in the production process the silkworm is killed or not. 

It is important to remember, however, that any sort of fabric being produced on a mass scale is going to have an effect on the environment, so in reality, as producers and consumers of fashion, clothing, and garments we can only look to best reduce our negative impact on the planet as opposed to having any negative impact at all.

Is bamboo fabric sustainable?

From a sustainability standpoint bamboo is totally eco friendly. And did you know that bamboo is one of the fastest-growing plants in the world? In fact, some species can grow up to 91 cm in one day alone! 

Unlike silk production when we are considering bamboo fabrics we don’t need to consider the ethics behind the harvesting of bamboo itself; as bamboo cannot be killed. 

Although of course some people and some research do suggest that plants and organic material can and do in fact feel pain. Do Plants feel pain? We will let you be the judge of that!

What is the most sustainable clothing fabric?

There are so many factors to consider when considering which fabrics are the most sustainable, including where the fibers are derived from, how they are derived, how they are spun, and ultimately how much energy goes into producing them. Natural fibers are clearly the way to go over any type of man-made and synthetic fibers, so we say, be as natural as you can, and that doesn’t just stop at your fashion choices,  but also the food you eat and generally the consumption decisions you make. 

In fact, making decisions on how organic and natural you can go can even go as far as what mattress you choose for you and your family to sleep on!

How are Beach Bums & Feels Sustainable: An Ethical Fashion Brand

As you may have already gathered already, here at Beach Bums & Feels we are totally dedicated to being a leading fashion brand when it comes to being sustainable, ethical and eco-friendly. 

All of our beachwear is made sustainable fabric, in fact from recycled ocean plastic using Econyl fibers. You can learn more about the process here, and we hope to help change the world one bikini at a time!

We would love you to join the Beach Bums Tribe today so check out our range of funky, sexy and sustainable beachwear today!

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