Hemp, one of the oldest known textiles, is experiencing a renaissance in summer fashion. This durable, sustainable fabric offers excellent breathability and becomes softer with each wear, making it ideal for warm-weather clothing.
In this hemp fabric guide we discuss what it is, why you’ll want to wear it, and the downsides of this eco-friendly, and unique fabric.
Let’s dive in.
Hemp is one of the world’s most environmentally friendly fibers and is one of the world’s most useful plants. Today hemp clothing is making a comeback as a sustainably, eco-friendly fabric that no longer carries the negative stigma of marijuana.
What is Hemp Fabric?
Hemp fabric is a sustainable textile made of fibers of a high-yielding crop in the cannabis sativa plant family. It was historically used for industrial purposes, with rope and sails, but is now used in food and clothing. It’s known as one of the most versatile and durable natural fibers.
Why Wear Hemp?
Here are a couple of reasons why you’ll want to wear help, not just for summer, but year-round.
1. Hemp is Great for Performance Wear
Being the breathable fabric that it is, it tends to stay clean and odorless for longer. Additionally its tightly woven fibers can protect you from the sun’s harmful UV rays.
2. Hemp Doesn’t Need Pesticides
Hemp is a sustainable fabric like many of the others in this roundup. Hemp requires no pesticides to grow and doesn’t require much fertilizer either. It’s self-sustaining and can grow in the harshest conditions.
3. Hemp Lasts Long and is Biodegradable
Hemp is a quality fabric that breaks in over time, getting softer much like cotton. The added benefit being that hemp lasts even longer than cotton. And when it is time to retire your garments, they’re biodegradable.
4. Hemp Has Small Water Footprint
Compared with cotton, hemp uses much less water. It only requires half the amount of water than cotton at 700 gallons, compared to 1,400 for cotton.
» Summer Reads: You may be interested in this guide on the Best Canvas Belts for Men Feat. Anson Belt & Buckle.
Downsides of Wearing Hemp
While hemp is a wonderful fabric, there are some disadvantages.
1. Hemp Can Be Prone to Wrinkling
Like other natural fibers, hemp is prone to wrinkling which can be a slight inconvenience.
2. Hemp is More Expensive
Generally, hemp is more expensive than other fabrics like cotton or linen, the reason being that it’s not as mainstream as the other fibers.
3. There’s Still a Stigma Around Hemp
There’s no escaping hemp’s association with its cousin, marijuana. Even till this day, many misunderstand the distinction between the two.
Wrapping Up
While hemp may not be as mainstream as some other summer fabrics, its durability, breathability, and eco-friendly nature make it a worthy contender for your warm-weather wardrobe. As more people discover its benefits, hemp is poised to become a summer staple for the environmentally conscious fashionista.
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