How Hemp is Changing Fashion
Hemp has been used since 770 AD to make everything from rope to paper to clothes. The drape and hang of Hemp have been compared to linen rather than cotton. It is a fabric that gets softer over time. Hemp absorbs moisture quickly and keeps your body dry.
 It is one of the most durable fibres on earth. Although similar, the hemp plant differs from indica or sativa cannabis plants that get you high. With sustainability high on everyone's agenda, it's a great time to bring this fabric back into the public's awareness.
Hemp is more water-absorbent than cotton, so it will hold onto dye better than any other fabric and stop your colours from fading. Hemp is also very porous, allowing the fabric to breathe and keep you cool throughout summer. Â
Hemp is the longest and strongest plant fibre. A little goes a long way when it comes to natural resources. Hemp uses only 1/20th of the water of regular cotton in the growing and processing stage.Â
Naturally, Hemp is less vulnerable to insects and weeds; therefore, pesticides and fertilizers have become almost obsolete. You can grow 250 times more hemp than cotton on a plot of land! Hemp also requires less irrigation.
It is not hard to see why hemp clothing brands are popping up regularly within the slow fashion industry. Hemp is one of the most sustainable fabrics out there, so when you choose hemp clothing from an ethical brand, you're reducing the environmental impact of your wardrobe.
As well as the savings on land and water, Hemp is hardy and resilient, helping to regenerate its soil. It is also biodegradable.
Here are some other facts about hemp fabric:
Hemp naturally filters U.V. light and protects your skin.
Hemp is breathable, resisting bacterial growth and preventing odours.
Hemp has four times the strength of cotton, and whilst it does soften, it does not weaken when washed.
Hemp uses very little water during cultivation and can usually be rain-fed.
Hemp is harvested and processed by hand, which helps with the jobs market, especially in poorer countries.
Cotton and other plants can deplete the soil of nutrients. Hemp, however, can be grown consecutively for over twenty years without the ground being drained of nutrition.
Once strictly the preserve of festival fashion, Hemp is now considered one of the most on-trend fabrics in sustainable fashion.Â
Some brands offer clothing made entirely of pure Hemp for a lux linen-like appearance. Others blend Hemp with organic cotton, making for super soft yet durable clothing. Whatever your style or the occasion, there will be a hemp brand to suit your needs.
More on this topic from Soft Secrets:
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Liz Filmer
