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Going Green with Hemp: The Best Hemp Fabric Clothing Brands for Sustainable Fashion
Updated: Dec 5
In an era where sustainability has transcended buzzword status to become a rallying cry for conscientious living, our quest for eco-friendly alternatives has led us down a revolutionary path—one woven with the threads of innovation and sustainability. Amid this fabric of change, one material stands out, promising a greener future while adorning us with timeless style: hemp fabric.
As the world increasingly pivots towards sustainable living, the allure of eco-conscious choices has grown, prompting a renaissance in the realm of fabrics. Among these, hemp—a versatile, resilient, and environmentally friendly material—has emerged as a frontrunner, captivating the attention of designers, environmentalists, and conscious consumers alike.
In this age of heightened environmental awareness, the quest for sustainable textiles has become more than just a trend; it's a commitment to weaving a better world. Enter hemp fabric, an ancient textile with modern-day potential, heralding a new era where style meets sustainability in a seamless embrace. Let's explore the story behind this remarkable fabric and uncover why it's not just a passing fad but a beacon of hope in the pursuit of a greener, more mindful future.
What is Hemp Fabric
Dive into the fascinating journey of turning humble hemp into a sustainable style statement: hemp fabric. From field to fashion, discover the remarkable process behind this eco-friendly textile marvel. Join us behind the scenes as nature's bounty is transformed into a versatile and environmentally conscious fabric.
How is Hemp Grown
In centuries past, hemp was an unrivaled global commodity, celebrated for its versatility across a spectrum of industries. Its multifaceted nature saw it utilized in textiles, paper, ropes, and even as a nutritional staple. However, as industrialization surged, hemp's ubiquity waned, relegating its primary fiber production to the corridors of Asia and the Middle East in modern times.
In these regions, hemp's cultivation emerges as a symphony of sustainability. Fields of this resilient plant are meticulously sown, standing as a natural bulwark against encroaching flora, obviating the necessity for herbicides. Yet, the true marvel lies beneath the surface. With roots delving an astonishing depth of 7 feet (2 meters), hemp doesn't merely occupy space—it becomes a guardian of soil integrity. Its intricate root network fortifies the earth, fostering a haven for microbial life, enriching the soil quality, and preventing erosion. In countries reliant on shallow-rooted staples like corn and soy, where soil erosion poses a formidable threat, hemp stands as a steadfast ally in preserving arable land.
Furthermore, hemp's resistance to many common plant diseases renders it a resilient contender in agricultural landscapes. This innate resilience drastically curtails the need for pesticides, contributing to a more eco-conscious farming methodology. As a result, hemp emerges not just as a versatile material but as a beacon of sustainable agricultural practices, showcasing a harmonious relationship between cultivation and environmental stewardship.
Hemp plants boast an extraordinary knack for environmental superheroics, serving as natural purifiers capable of tackling the most formidable challenges. Their remarkable ability to cleanse water, whether it's from everyday pollutants or even the aftermath of catastrophic events like the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, showcases their unparalleled detoxifying prowess. Picture this: hemp swooping in as nature's remedy, heroically clearing radioisotopes and an array of toxins from contaminated soil and water. It's an awe-inspiring testament to hemp's innate capacity to heal and rejuvenate our environment, casting it not just as a fabric source but as an eco-warrior in its own right.
How is Hemp Harvested
Within the intricate life cycle of the hemp plant lies its treasure trove: the stems, teeming with fibers prized for their versatility. As the plant blossoms, these fibers reach their prime, awaiting the perfect moment for harvest—after the bloom but before seed formation. Timing is key, for as the plant gears up for seed production, these fibers undergo a transformation, adopting a coarser texture that alters their quality. To capture the finest, most resilient fibers, the harvest must be impeccably timed, ensuring a yield that upholds the impeccable standard of hemp's sought-after textile prowess.
Hemp Retting
Imagine a natural alchemy that transforms humble hemp plants into the versatile fabric we love. Enter retting—a fascinating process where nature takes the reins, employing moisture and micro-organisms to work their magic on hemp. In this ingenious dance, these elements dissolve much of the plant's tissues and pectins, deftly untangling the fibers from the sturdy stem. It's a gentle yet powerful separation, unveiling the raw potential of hemp fibers, ready to be spun into the sustainable fabric we admire for its strength and eco-friendly allure.
Hemp Fiber Production
Once the stalks have undergone the retting process, they're meticulously broken down and combed to ensure that every last woody particle is removed, setting the stage for the extraction of the prized fibers. This intricate dance happens during a method aptly named "breaking," where the stalks traverse fluted rollers, meticulously crushing and separating the hurd into smaller fragments while liberating some of the coveted fiber. While historically a labor-intensive endeavor, the advent of the decorticator machine has streamlined the bast and hurd separation, easing the workload. However, the traditional mechanical process, devoid of chemicals, contrasts sharply with the contemporary approach—chemical extraction, heralded for its expediency and cost-effectiveness, yet bearing a heavier toll on the environment. Enter the realm of hemp viscose or hemp rayon, born from this chemical treatment. But whether mechanically or chemically derived, the journey to wearable hemp fabric is far from over. Beyond this initial transformation, the fabric must undergo further processes, including dyeing, each technique yielding diverse environmental footprints. From hemp tow, suitable for stuffing or robust yarn spinning, to the fine line fiber reserved for upscale applications like clothing and luxurious furnishings, hemp's versatility shines. Fabrics fashioned from the line fiber exhibit a refined texture akin to linen, a far cry from the rough and tumble stereotype associated with hemp clothing. However, to soften the sturdy yet rough nature of hemp, a marriage with (organic) cotton becomes imperative, ensuring comfort without compromising on sustainability.
Where to Buy Hemp Fabric
When it comes to sourcing hemp fabric, the modern market offers an array of options that cater to both the environmentally conscious and the fashion-forward. Online platforms dedicated to sustainable materials for raw materials for DIY projects to luxurious blends for haute couture creations.
What makes Hemp Fabric Sustainable
Hemp fabric stands as a paragon of sustainability, embodying a myriad of eco-friendly virtues that elevate it above conventional textiles. From its cultivation to its transformation into fabric, hemp showcases an inherently low environmental footprint. Its growth requires minimal water, thrives in diverse climates without the need for pesticides or herbicides, and remarkably enriches the soil it grows in. What's more, hemp is a rapid regenerator, flourishing in dense clusters that naturally fend off weeds, further reducing the need for chemical interventions. This remarkable plant not only consumes carbon dioxide during its growth but also retains it within the fabric, contributing to carbon sequestration. According to Shah, a senior researcher at the Centre for Natural Material Innovation at Cambridge "Numerous studies estimate that hemp is one of the best CO2-to-biomass converters".
In essence, hemp fabric embodies sustainability at its core, offering a renewable, biodegradable, and regenerative alternative that paves the way towards a more harmonious relationship between fashion and the planet.
Pros & Cons of Hemp
Pros of hemp
The entire hemp plant is used. Stems for fibers and seeds for hemp oil, leaving minimal waste.
Hemp as a plant is very flexible that doesn’t have a preference for soil or climate.
A hemp plant doesn’t need lots of fertilizers and/or pesticides for optimal fiber production.
Hemp is not a thirsty plant. It needs about 10% of the water that would be needed for a cotton plant to grow.
A hemp plant can produce over twice as many fibers compared to cotton on the same land area. Not only because it produces more fibers but also because it can be harvested more often compared to cotton.
Hemp fabric is a very strong and durable fabric that will last ages.
Hemp is naturally anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, and mold resistant making it great for undergarments.
Hemp can absorb much more carbon compared to other plants.
Hemp plants have an extensive root system that can hold on to soil well which prevents soil erosion.
Hemp is a natural fiber that can be composted at the end of its lifespan.
Cons of hemp
Hemp fabric is very rough directly against your skin so it is often mixed with cotton to make it more wearable.
You need to pay attention to the type of hemp used in your garment.
Hemp Fabric Clothing Brands
Groceries Apparel
One of the most unique selling points of Groceries Apparel clothing is that it uses upcycled food waste to dye clothes. These are collected near its factory in the Arts District of Los Angeles. This dyeing process uses post-consumer fruits and vegetables such as avocado skins, pomegranate, carrot tops, and other forms of organic material to produce vivid natural dyes. While their prints mostly have a tie-dye design that holds great after washing.
Grocery Apparel makes everything in its factory in Los Angeles, which guarantees fair wages and working conditions for employees while providing full traceability of each garment to the customers.
The brand specialties are causal basics such as tank tops, and oversized sweatshirts but also bras and leggings.
Tentree
Tentree is a Certified B Corp that is known for its sustainable outdoor clothing ranging from sweatshirts, sweaters, tees, tanks, and pants for men and women. They mix their natural hemp clothing with other sustainable materials, including Global Organic Textile Standard certified cotton and Tencel lyocell fabric. What interesting when growing their site is that in every description of a piece of clothing, a summary of its reduced environmental impact (i.e. waste savings, reductions in water use, and emissions) is included. Tentree plants ten trees for every purchase from their shop. Mostly in high-impact areas where they’ll help repair damaged biodiversity or provide benefits to local communities. By now, they are on their way to planting one billion trees by 2030.
Jungmaven
Jungmaven aims to allow customers to demand change with their dollars to support a healthier world by creating beautiful and high-quality clothing items.
Founded in the early 1990s when Robert Jungmann (the founder) became passionate about protesting clearcutting forests. He believes hemp offers a more eco-friendly apparel solution and started a small clothing business in a small Central American surf shop.
With increasing demand, the company had to scale up, while it remains loyal to these humble origins.
To this day, all Jungmaven clothing is cut and sewn from paper patterns in Los Angeles by a small skilled team that earns a decent living wage.
Jungmaven works closely with its global suppliers to ensure the hemp is sourced sustainably and the fabric is produced under safe working conditions.
Eileen Fisher
Eileen Fisher is a sustainable women's clothing brand specializing in organic wardrobe-essentials. These range from casual clothes to timeless and elegant pieces for a lovely night out with someone dear. This ethical fashion label offers organic, minimalist, recycled closet staples for everyday wear sourcing only eco-friendly materials such as hemp.
The brand ensures that all its employees have a voice, earn a fair wage, and are treated respectfully in the workplace.
Eileen Fisher promotes inclusivity and diversity in the sustainable fashion industry by offering a wide range of sizes from petite to extended.
Wama underwear
This California-based company is known for its hemp-based underwear. They strive to deliver the world’s best hemp underwear through optimal design, fit, and function. They only use toxin-free color compounds to dye the underwear they make. These eco-friendly reactive dyes are certified by Oeko-Tex’s Standard 100 label.
All of WAMA’s hemp plants are grown in China on small, family-run organic farms. The underwear is produced in factories that sign its Code of Conduct, which means that the factory will pay fair wages and provide safe working conditions even though they are made in China.
Mara Hoffman
Mara Hoffman is an eco-friendly clothing brand that creates organic basics, swimwear, knitwear, and outerwear for women up to extended sizes out of hemp, recycled textiles, and other sustainably sourced materials. Their statement pieces are their swimsuits which are made from pre and post-consumer waste. This is in line with the label to aim to reduce its impact and generate awareness for our global waste problem.
Ekzo
Ekzo is based in San Diego and pledges to use only natural fibers for their garments like hemp, linen, cotton, cashmere, and wool. Their collection ranges from basics like t-shirts to large beach towels. Enzo encourages you to explore while wearing our products. They are durable, comfortable, and made to be worn outdoors.
Valani
Founded by Vanni Leung who wanted to design clothes that gave back to our planet. Her label Valani does that with vegan, sustainable, plant-based clothing that is strategically designed to minimize fabric waste. Whatever scraps may be left over after your garment is made, they are used to make scrunchies or as fillings for pillows. Valani’s hemp clothing collection ranges from women’s hemp dresses, pants, and tops to accessories like scrunchies.
prAna
PrAna was the first company to earn the Fair Trade certification as they have been sustainably producing clothing from its start in 1992. They offer an extensive range of clothing made from hemp, tercel, and other eco-friendly materials in both casual and professional styles.
prAna doesn't use water retting but opts to go for the slower but more sustainable dew retting process reducing the demand for chemicals for the production of the fabric they use. All orders pack and ship in 100% plastic-free packaging to make your purchase even more sustainable.
Thought
Thought is based in the UK but started in Australia in 1995. Back then, it was called Braintree Clothing. Thought has all the certifications for sustainable clothing like Eco-Cert, GOTS, Fair Trade, and Oeko-TEX. They strive to combine timeless fashion garments with style and sustainability objectives by using eco-friendly fabrics, including hemp and organic cotton.
Unlike other brands that use hemp as a fabric, Thought is more aimed at sustainability-minded shoppers interested in styles of current fashion trends with less earthy tones like other hemp brands.
Hempy's
Hempy’s is based in San Diego and has been making hemp clothes since 1995. They strive to educate their customers about the benefits of hemp for clothing while making them more aware of the destructive nature of the current standard fashion industry practices.
Taylor Stitch
Taylor Stitch is one of the very few brands that is aimed at sustainable menswear. The fabrics Taylor Stitch uses next to hemp are often recycled or deadstock fabrics. That is why Taylor Stitch is also known for being a great recycled clothing brand.
Bewusst Hempwear
BEWUSST Hempwear is based in Germany, although they make their hemp clothing in Romania. They don’t use hemp produced in China but they make sure that their entire production process from plant to garment is based in Europe. They aim to use sustainable manufacturing processes wherever possible and they only use natural eco-friendly dyes for their garment-dyeing process.
Onno
Onno is a US-based apparel company specializing in colored tees and long sleeves made from a hemp and organic cotton blend. They take environmental sustainability very seriously. They are certified for ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 in 2014 because of their commitment to proper environmental waste management.
All Onno's tees are GOTS certified while they also monitor their carbon footprint by purchasing carbon offsets from CarbonFund helping fund projects that aim to reduce worldwide greenhouse gas emissions.
Recreator
Recreator is both an art swell and an apparel brand, that specializes in sustainable fabrics. It has a great assortment of graphic tees, bottoms, and hoodies for both men and women.
Founded in 2012, Recreator has a vision of boosting the role of industrial hemp in the US agricultural and apparel supply chain. The company believes hemp offers a sustainable clothing solution that everyone should capitalize on.
Most of their collection is sewn in downtown Los Angeles from low-impact-dyed fabrics. Their hemp comes from China, while they closely work with US farmers to encourage more local hemp cultivation and ensure all hemp used within its apparel is grown according to environmentally sustainable practices.
LANIUS
LANIUS statement to provide “fashion that takes people, animals, and the environment into account.’ Was made formulated 20 years ago but still holds to this day. They combine sustainable materials with sophisticated design, to make beautiful garments you can feel good about. They are one of the few brands to also offer 100% hemp clothing without the addition of organic cotton. They produce all over the world but whether produced in Bulgaria, Germany, Italy, Lithuania, Portugal, Turkey, Peru, India, or China, everyone receives fair trade wages and humane working conditions. They don’t tolerate forced labor, child labor, and/or discrimination.
Toad & Co
Toad&Co was founded in Telluride, Colorado in 1996. Where they started making sustainable clothing from hemp for both men and women. Their collection ranges from basic tees to summer dresses. They not only use hemp for their garments but often also organic cotton is used for the clothing they make. When you receive a package from Toad&Co, you can return your mailer so they will use it again.
Vege Threads
Vege Threads is known for its essentials for everyday wear. As a testament to fast fashion, every garment is made locally in Australia and in small batches to promote slow fashion. They sell basic but also ethical swimwear, socks, and underwear.
In addition to hemp, they choose other eco-friendly materials like organic cotton and 100% RWS-certified merino wool.
After the drying of the garments, their wastewater is recycled and used fertilized crops nearby to reduce the impact of the dyeing process.
Bohempia
Bohempia is an EU-based brand that sells shoes and apparel for both men and women. Founded in 2015 by Tomas Rohal, this company strives to make hemp clothing mainstream worldwide.
All their clothing is a minimalistic and straightforward design that makes their apparel ideal for daily wear. Bohemia closely monitors how each item is manufactured, what the quality of materials is, and what the working conditions for producers are.
Rawgenique
Rawganique started as an off-grid homestead. They use hemp for everything as it is such a versatile fabric. Their products range from shoes to shower curtains to clothing. Their garments are an essential range of offerings that include tees and button-down shirts, cardigans, and hoodies. Next to using only eco-friendly inks to dye their clothes, they also use other organic materials like linen and cotton. Rawganique is mostly gender-neutral hemp clothing that is suitable for both men and women. Sizes range from XS-XXL with additional long inseam options for every pant size.
Seeker
Seeker is an upcoming, trendy sustainable clothing brand that focuses on street-style clothing. It incorporates gender and age-inclusive pieces using GOTS-certified natural fabrics only. Their tagline “Modern Monk’ shows in their selection of garments with kimonos and overall in natural colors.
Even though hemp is not a very famous fabric yet, lots of brands make their garments with this amazing sustainable material so you have lots of options to choose from when you are looking for your next sustainable clothes.
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