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The Magic of Hemp Fabric

CHOOSE HEMP FABRIC

Ever wonder what makes that one t-shirt your favourite? Or what makes that go-to pair of jeans feel so good? It might seem like magic, but it’s actually hemp fabric. The specific makeup of the material used in a garment determines how it feels on your skin, as well as how it drapes and fits your body. Hemp garments rank among the most comfortable around.

 

When we set out to create the perfect sustainable hemp garments for Indigowares, we knew we needed a breathable hemp textile that’s gentle on both you and the planet. That’s why we choose premium hemp fabric, an ethical and eco-friendly material that feels amazing to wear.

 

When we set out to create the perfect sustainable hemp garments for Indigowares, we knew we needed a breathable hemp textile that’s gentle on both you and the planet. That’s why we use premium hemp fabric, an ethical and eco-friendly material that feels amazing to wear.

BROWSE HEMP GARMENTS
Hemp fabric
Hemp garment

WHY IS HEMP FABRIC ECO FRIENDLY?

Let’s zoom in on our blend of hemp and cotton that make up hemp garments like our comfortable denim or classic sustainable t-shirt. The best place to start is with the actual farming of hemp, which is at the heart of what makes it so sustainable.

Hemp fabric
A LAID-BACK CROP

Hemp is an incredibly sustainable crop to grow. It requires minimal water and pesticides, which significantly reduces waste and the chemicals and pollutants associated with pesticides. Additionally, hemp grows quickly, allowing for frequent harvests—making it a low-maintenance, high-yield option for producing eco-friendly hemp textiles and garments.

REDUCE YOUR CARBON FOOTPRINT

Hemp is a carbon-negative crop, meaning it absorbs more carbon dioxide (CO₂) from the atmosphere than it releases during its growth and processing. This offsets CO₂ emissions from human activity, making hemp a highly sustainable and eco-friendly choice for hemp textiles, hemp clothing, and more.

A GREAT USE OF SPACE

Hemp requires a very small amount of land to cultivate. This results in nearly double the fibre yield per hectare compared to more common fibre crops like cotton.

How Hemp fabric is made

Farming hemp uses almost the entire plant, making it one of the most sustainable and versatile crops. This boosts hemp’s value and strengthens its eco-friendly reputation.

Hemp fabric comes from the long fibres in the stalk.

Farmers separate these fibres from the woody core, called the hurd, through a process called ‘retting’. They leave the hemp plant in the field, where natural factors break down the binding materials. This allows them to harvest the fibres with minimal environmental impact.

Once separated, the fibres are spun into thread. The threads are then woven or knitted into hemp textile. The key difference is that hemp fabric comes from a highly sustainable, eco-friendly material. Hemp fabric is durable, breathable, and perfect for comfortable hemp clothing and garments that are kind to your skin and the planet.

hemp clothing
Image courtesy of hempgazette.com

HEMP FABRIC IS GOOD FOR YOU

It’s important to remember that sustainability doesn’t end with the soil. A truly eco-friendly hemp garment should be designed to last in your wardrobe, reducing the need to replace and remake clothes. Hemp fabric is a perfect example of this, and here’s why:

HEMP STANDS THE TEST OF TIME

Despite its durability, Hemp is incredibly soft. This means that your most comfortable tee will also last twice as long as ones made from just cotton or synthetics

HEMP GARMENTS WILL AGE WELL

Unlike other fabrics, hemp isn’t susceptible to shrinkage and pills less.

HEMP TAKES CARE OF YOUR SKIN

With excellent breathability, hemp keeps you comfortable and dries quickly. It also makes laundering easier, as sweat and odours don’t linger in the fibres. Some studies suggest hemp may have natural antibacterial properties.

hemp fabric

WHY ISn'T HEMP FABRIC MORE POPULAR?

HEMP LEAVES

Hemp clothing has grown in popularity in recent years. With all its benefits, you may wonder why hemp isn’t the most popular fabric. Here are a few challenges hemp fabric faces in gaining widespread popularity:

  • Hemp’s association with cannabis often gives it a bad reputation with some people.

 

  • Looking back on hemp garments of the past, many associate them with the boho aesthetic. While this isn’t necessarily negative, it does limit the fabric’s versatility in the consumer’s mind.

 

  • Hemp production can become expensive and require extensive transportation between processing steps if companies aren’t careful. To keep hemp truly earth-friendly, companies should focus on keeping supply chains as local as possible.

 

  • To cut costs, some companies grow hemp with harsh chemicals it doesn’t need. Labels like “hemp-viscose” or blends with synthetic elements may indicate that your hemp garment isn’t as sustainable as you expect.

We are always looking for new ways to use hemp fabric within our garments.

 

Take a look at our hemp denim, which will be the most comfortable pair of jeans that you own. This is down to the hemp fabric, the stretchy waistband and loose fit.

 

Our hemp t-shirts also come in various cuts and colours. Choose between the classic tee or our shorter boxy fit, perfect for pairing with our pull-on trousers to highlight the waistband detail. Both fits are available in classic undyed natural white or our signature natural hand-dyed indigo.

BROWSE HEMP COLLECTION

OUR INDIGO TOUCH

If you haven’t guessed from our brand’s name, we deeply love indigo dye and natural dye processes. They are at the heart of everything we do.

To learn more about farming and extracting indigo click here, or browse our blog for plenty of resources on the natural and ethical processes behind your eco-friendly clothes.

indigo dye
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