Material Guide: Hemp
Photo by Rick Proctor on Unsplash
By Lena Milton
Hemp is a natural fiber that is derived from the Cannabis sativa plant. The plant grows quickly and can be harvested in as little as 60 days, making it a very sustainable option. This material guide will walk you through the benefits and challenges of hemp fabric to evaluate the promise of hemp as a major player in sustainable fashion moving forward.
Hemp: Durable, But Is it Comfortable?
Hemp is more durable than cotton fabric and doesn’t wear out as fast. But what about comfort? Certainly, a fabric that’s more rugged than cotton would feel like sandpaper, right? Well, not so.
In terms of comfort, hemp fabric is often compared to linen. Hemp is lightweight and breathable, making it ideal for warm weather. Hemp fabric is also very absorbent, so it can help to keep you cool and dry. In addition, hemp fabric has natural antimicrobial properties, making it resistant to bacteria and mold. Overall, hemp fabric is a comfortable and sustainable option for clothing.
Photo by Robert Nelson on Unsplash
Why Is Hemp Good for the Planet?
Hemp is a versatile plant that has been used for centuries to make everything from clothing and rope to paper and biodiesel fuel. In recent years, there has been renewed interest in hemp as a sustainable crop due to its numerous environmental benefits.
For example, hemp is relatively easy to grow and doesn't require pesticides or herbicides that pollute waterways and endanger wildlife and human health. It also produces more biomass than other crops, meaning that it takes less land to grow larger amounts of crops. The material can then be used to create products like biofuel and paper with a lower environmental impact. While its economic viability as a biofuel is still up for debate, the plant's overall list of benefits makes it too compelling to overlook.
Hemp can help improve soil health by reducing erosion and providing nutrients for other plants. As we look for ways to reduce our impact on the planet, hemp is emerging as a promising option. Apart from needing far less water than its textile peers, hemp for fiber can be harvested in as little as two months. This is around twice as fast as cotton, which requires between five and six months, a fact that means significantly more fabric per acreage with hemp (in other words, more fabric for less land use!). When compared to linen, hemp takes approximately the same time to harvest but produces 600% more fiber. This is particularly important, as deforestation for agricultural purposes is one of the leading causes of biodiversity loss and contributes to climate change.
Hassle-Free Clothing
Hemp clothing is often lauded for its durability and easy care. Unlike other natural fibers, hemp is resistant to mold and mildew, making it ideal for humid climates. Hemp fabric can also be machine-washed and dried without fear of shrinkage or damage. In addition, hemp fabric becomes softer with each washing, making it more comfortable to wear over time. Although hemp clothing may require a little more care than synthetic fabrics, the overall ease of wear makes it a great choice for busy people.
Photo: TOAD&CO
Making Hemp Clothing Mainstream
Whether you want to avoid catching too much UV exposure in the summer months or prefer shirts and pants that don't easily crease, hemp is a great choice. Combining its environmentally-friendly properties, its comfort as a textile, and its economic viability, hemp deserves more attention.
There are many fashion brands already making use of hemp fabric. For example, TOAD&CO has hemp offerings available on its main page while outdoor brand Patagonia has made hemp fabric a mainstay in its products.
If you want to contribute to promoting this fantastic, multi-purpose textile, seek out manufacturers that embrace strict textile testing standards to ensure high-quality, sustainable hemp production. Forcing mainstream fashion to curb its wasteful practices can only be accomplished when responsible world citizens learn to vote with their wallets. Once fast fashion understands that consumers will not continue to settle for mass-produced, unsustainable garments, consciences will truly start to shift. Luckily, hemp provides us with an option to continue making clothing that is not only functional and sustainable, but quite fashionable.