Natural Fabric

Natural fabrics are made from fibres that come from plants, animals, or minerals without chemical conversion. Plant-based natural fibres include cotton, linen, hemp, jute, ramie, and bamboo (mechanically processed). Animal-based fibres include wool, silk, alpaca, cashmere, and mohair.

Viscose is sometimes described as semi-synthetic. The raw fibre comes from a natural source, usually wood pulp, but it’s chemically processed and regenerated into fibre. Strict definitions of “natural” exclude viscose because of the chemical processing.

Natural fibres are biodegradable, breathable, and renewable. They tend to absorb moisture better than synthetics, regulate temperature more comfortably, and don’t shed microplastics. The trade-offs include higher prices for some, more shrinkage, and farming or animal welfare considerations.

Not automatically. Cotton can use significant water and pesticides depending on farming practices. Wool and silk involve animal welfare considerations. Sustainability depends on the specific source, production method, and end-of-life behaviour rather than natural versus synthetic alone.

See our natural fabric product range