Jelena easily incorporates the latest trends into her existing style in a way that serves as an inspiration to her following. She is immensely successful in sharing not only her clothes, but her visions, so her followers (me included) are able to recreate her outfits with what we already own. However, when we sat down for a conversation, tea and tarte aux fraises, she came off as incredibly down-to-earth.

Not only does this fashion aficionado repeat the core items in her closet, but she also runs an instagram profile @shopj.s.closet where she’s made it possible for her followers to buy her preloved items. I spoke to this dog mom who currently resides in the country that gives style its good name, France, and talked about her beginnings, her thoughts on fashion sustainability and what really matters in the end.

I bet our readers are curious to know a little bit about how you started your fashion influencer career.

I started it almost as everyone else back in the day – it was just for the love of taking pictures in various outfits and occasions. As time went by, I figured out that it could be a career and I rode the wave of working with brands as they were interested in me and my work, and the rest is history.

You’ve recently moved to France. How was the transition and what does moving there mean for your career? 

Yes I did, a couple of months ago. I’m still adjusting, learning the language and trying to get used to life here which is quite different than life back home – in Serbia. It’s much easier to work from here as a lot of brands are more interested in working with somebody who is from the EU, especially from France (we all know that France is home for many legendary fashion houses that ever existed). Also, when it comes to content creation there are a lot of beautiful places you can work at – for example Paris, every corner is so beautiful and aesthetically pleasing, the inspiration is never ending there.  

What would you say are the good and the not-so-good aspects to this job?

The good thing is definitely that you get to work with so many amazing brands and people, travel, meet colleagues who are in the same business and who understand what you are doing. The high point for me is that I get to combine the things I truly love – fashion and photography. The not-so-good side is for sure the fact that there are no fixed working hours, you work 24/7, always thinking of the next idea/inspo, contacting brands and trying to get yourself out there as much as you can – because if you don’t do it nobody else will do it for you. There are a lot of people who are in this business, so it’s crucial to be unique and to have something distinctive  

“It’s about trying to get yourself out there as much as you can – because if you don’t do it nobody else will do it for you.”

Jelena Simeonov

You have already worked with some big names in the fashion industry. Which collaborations got you the most excited?

Yes, I’m so grateful to every brand that shared my vision and recognized my talent and dedication to my work. Picking just one is hard, but the one that got me saying: “Wow!” When I got the deal, it was definitely my collaboration with Farfetch, as they’re a giant in this business and operate worldwide. Of course, I love every brand that I work with and I always choose with whom I will work as I would never recommend to my community something that I personally don’t agree with or like. Polène Paris and Revolve are also one of my favorite brands to work with, I have been collaborating with them for years now and I have loved every bit of it! 

Who is your primary audience and what do you think they enjoy about your profile in particular?

My primary audience are women and I love that (haha) as what I do is for women mainly, so I love when I see that over 90% of my followers are women from all over the world! They enjoy my outfit ideas and how I present them, and I love to be able to inspire people.  

“Women all over the world enjoy my outfit ideas and how I present them, and I love to be able to inspire people. “

Jelena Simeonov

In what way does being a multicultural and international fashion influencer help you connect with your followers?

To be honest, it can be a little challenging because everytime I want to talk to my audience I always get stuck between “should I speak English so everybody can understand me, or should I speak Serbian as I am Serbian and it is my native language”. In the end, I normally choose English as I personally love to be able to understand what the influencers I follow are saying, so it is important for me that my followers can understand me, too! On the other hand, I love to be able to show my Serbian followers the life here, and when I travel to inspire others to visit some of the places I do, etc.

You are known for selling your clothes and repeating some key items in your outfits. Would you say that the fashion world is going in the direction of eco consciousness? 

Yes, I sell or give away a lot of my clothing as I get a lot of clothes from my collaborations with brands and I can’t manage to wear it all haha. In addition, it’s great that some of the clothing I sell is may not be available for purchase anymore, so my followers can get an almost new product for a smaller price and be unique, as not a lot of people will have the same item I love that there are a lot of reselling sites nowadays and I believe that we should all try and buy as consciously as we can. 

“I love that there are a lot of reselling sites nowadays and I believe that we should all try and buy as consciously as we can.”

Jelena Simeonov

Apart from fashion, you frequently put an emphasis on the importance of mental health on your profile. Would you mind sharing your thoughts on this topic with our readers?

In this crazy fast-paced world of online everything, it seems to me that it is not always easy keeping in mind what is important and what is not. We, people tend to make comparisons, and when we see somebody’s “perfect” life on social media we think that our own life is insufficient. It is a vicious and bad circle that is far from reality.

As I am a social media person I can say that my life is not only what you see on my page – those are just moments or minutes of my day/week/life that I choose to show. There is a whole life happening to me and all of us in the offline world that we don’t share. I love positivity and good vibes on my page, love to inspire people to be better and do better (and dress better haha) so that’s why I love sharing inspirational content as well.  

“In this crazy fast-paced world of online everything, it seems to me that it is not always easy keeping in mind what is important and what is not.”

Jelena Simeonov

What is the life motto or philosophy you try to live by?

“If it’s not going to matter in 5 years don’t spend more than 5 minutes being upset by it” – love this one. We tend to stress about the little stuff, but the only thing in this life that is truly important is our health – when you have that you have it all! 

Does having such a huge following base carry with it certain responsibilities?

Yes it does. You always have to be aware of what you are posting and what you are saying, as people get offended more easily these days. I personally don’t like to talk about certain matters online as I’m not an expert, so I choose not to get involved and keep my personal views that don’t have to do with fashion to myself. 

If you hadn’t chosen this path, what would be your other career choice?

Well, I imagine I would probably be doing some corporate job as that is what I graduated from at my University. People will probably not believe me when I say I was studying engineering and management haha but yup, I am very proud of myself for graduating, even though I was not that into it as my love for fashion was stronger.

What are the achievements you are most proud of in both your career and personal life?

12. There are still a lot of things I want to do, this is only the beginning of my career. I can say that I’m proud of myself for staying true to myself, being unique and able to make my way in international fashion, being recognized by a lot of big brands and companies. That is not an easy thing, especially nowadays – and of course for having my big “online family” that supports me and allows me to do what I love!

“I’m proud of myself for staying true to myself, being unique and able to make my way in international fashion, being recognized by a lot of big brands and companies.”

Jelena Simeonov

Are there any upcoming collaborations or plans you wish to share with our readers?

 Not for now, but I’m looking forward to this new year to do more, have more collaborations and be better than I was in the previous year!  

What would you say to people who wish to have a career in the influencer business?

For all of you guys who are interested in or thinking about starting this kind of job, just make sure that it’s something that you really love and are genuinely passionate about. It’s not easy, it’s not a part-time job – it’s a 24/7 time job. There are no days off and you always have to find inspiration for your work, no matter what. Be patient and consistent and, little by little the results will come.  

While I was listening to my friends talk about what they got on sale, it got me thinking: Why are we so consumed by buying new clothes? Why do we have to have everything that’s the latest fad? Do we believe the things we own say something about us? 

Let’s imagine a situation: I have had my favorite jeans, worn them for years until they ripped, and now I have to buy new ones – clearly, I need them. My dad does this, mostly. 

But how often is this the case for most of us? Usually, the story goes like this: I have a pair of jeans that fit me well. I like them. Ooh, but look at that bootcut dark-wash denim. Or these mid-rise mom jeans. And it’s 40% off! Add to cart. I really need the relaxed fit comfort pair. I’m gonna wear them all the time. And that’s how it starts…

Psychologically speaking, we could divide our shopping motives into two basic ones: utilitarian (like my dad) or symbolic. The utilitarian one is pretty obvious now – you buy a new pair of something because the old one is no longer usable. End of story.

Now, the symbolic kind – this is where the shoe pinches. It is by far our favorite kind and serves as an excuse to go on shopping sprees, enjoy Black Fridays and abuse the option of online shopping while we’re eating double-stuffed Oreos at 1 am. Don’t ask how I know. 

Culturally speaking, we associate buying new clothes with a feeling of pure joy. It has a celebratory, thrilling note, from trying it on to grasping those paper bag handles and heading out of the shop to wearing it for the first time. It causes our friends to say, “Wow, I love that outfit!” We might get a thrill from strangers’ approving (or disapproving, depending on what gets you going) looks. 

If you’re into clothes, the attention will act as a stimulant, and naturally, you’ll find yourself wanting more. And this is how we get a $3 trillion worth industry. 

Do we shop for clothes to feel superior?

While most of us shop to get that thrill, there are cases that Karl Marx, the German philosopher, and sociologist described: We buy new clothes because they make us feel superior to others. 

Clothes have long been a sure way to distinguish who’s who, and it remains true to this day. Not only that, but if the main reason we shop is to make ourselves feel as if we are above others, it happens more often than not that we quickly lose interest in our existing clothes and are already on the prowl for our next purchase.

I guess it all started while I was scrolling through social media:  an influencer was showing her following a new type of Barbie doll (not yet available for purchase in her country and thus considered to be a very exclusive commodity) popped up: it is dyed pink, and when you pour hot water into Barbie’s container, the color rinses off, and you’re able to see her usual Barbie features. 

While this got the 5-year-old inside of me exhilarated, a thought occurred to me: Why must we continuously give in the latest trends? Has owning the latest stuff become our personality? 

Luckily, the tides seem to turn. Sustainability has been on the radar and even more than that for quite some time. Some of the most famous and followed influencers have started to advocate being more conscious of our environment. 

An honorable mention is definitely Matilda Djerf, a Swedish influencer with a fanbase of 2.8 million followers, whose focus is the importance of healthy body image as well as including preloved items in her daily style. 

This kind of enormous following makes it evident that sustainability awareness has reached its crucial moment in history.

Then & now of second-hand clothes 

When I was a kid, I used to get a box of cousin clothes, and it was the best thing ever. The history of second-hand clothes goes as early as 1300, during Europe’s economic depression and widespread famine. In these difficult circumstances, the second-hand clothes market has started to bloom.

There were a couple of ways through which second-hand clothes reached new owners: they were given to family members as memorabilia, used to liquidate a deceased’s debts, or inherited from mother to daughter and altered to fit the latest fashion.

No wonder that, up to a couple of years ago, second-hand clothes were associated with a poor financial situation.

The more our society gained sustainability awareness, the more we changed our attitude towards clothes that were pre-owned, and, therefore, the name we use to describe them changed as well. This helped to shift the narrative, too. 

From the phrase second hand which makes it sound dull, with no thrill of the new which we all love so much about buying clothes, it turned into preloved, which is associated with somebody taking care of this piece before, and now I get to carry on. How lucky am I!

Kate Middleton isn’t a stranger to repeating outfits – why should we be?

The fascination with what members of the royal family wear has long been present among royal watchers. However, when Kate Middleton’s engagement to Prince William was announced, the Issa London navy blue dress she wore sold out online in a heartbeat. 

This continuously happened with every item she had on when she would step out in public, and it prompted the media to call it ‘the Kate effect’. Kate’s team has caught on to this, so they devised a plan: for most of her regular engagements that are not major events, she re-wears clothes – either as separates or as outfits.

If the newly appointed Princess of Wales isn’t opposed to repeating outfits – why should we be? She is sending a clear message to the world: being eco-conscious is the new black. And we are ready to follow.

The allure and consequences of mass production

Mass production of garments dates from the early 20th century. As this article explains, it was produced by and worn by the same sweatshop girls working for a wage of $4-5 an hour. 

It was the first time in history that the lower classes could dress in the same clothes as the upper classes, and the construct of it is what the mass production industry is based on today. Today, we have 92 million tons of textile waste every year.

Mass-produced clothes serve our sudden whims – they enable us to spot a Zara dress on the app at midnight and have it delivered to our doorstep in 3 to 5 working days. If that seems too long, we can run out to the nearest Zara store on our lunch break and have the dress in our hands before we even have the time to think the words impulsive buy.

The consequence? Aside from the indubitable rise of eco-consciousness among the young generations, which has spurred a widespread fashion of thrifting for vintage or preloved clothes, kids these days don’t want to wear the same clothes as their peers and look uniformed, like we all go to the same boarding school.

Zero-waste Fashion

As a much-needed response to the fast world in which we live today, a new term was coined: zero-waste fashion. Brands have focused on making their production free or almost free of waste. 

This was done by using different approaches: using fabrics that were leftovers or discarded by other brands like the brand tonlé operates; previewing the designs in 3D using digital samples and operating on a made-to-order basis, which basically means that no items will be manufactured until an actual order is placed by a customer or upcycling the already existing items such as Worn Wear Patagonia or the fresh look given to jeans by ReDone. The future is now!

Wrapping up

Buying new stuff is not necessarily about pragmatic reasons or common sense but more about the thrill of the hunt, the excitement of the first outing in a new outfit, and cheering up. The question is: how do we keep clothes, just clothes? How do we alleviate the thirst for shopping and take away the power it holds over us? I’ll let you know.

This article describes all you need to know about the popular Modal fabric.

What is Modal fabric?

Modal fabric is a type of rayon invented in Japan in the 1950s. It was engineered to enhance the traditional rayon production process and develop a softer and more resistant version. 

Therefore, Modal has structural properties that make it more resistant to shrinking and stretching when wet than traditional rayon; because of that, it’s also known as “high wet modulus rayon.”

Modal fabric is made from beech tree pulp. Given the chemicals used in its production, it’s often considered a semi-synthetic fabric. Depending on how it’s produced, Modal fabric can be more sustainable than its traditional counterparts. 

As we will see later in this article, some Modal types are biodegradable and compostable.

Its properties make Modal suitable and superior to other fabrics for underwear, activewear, and home pieces like bedsheets.

RELATED ARTICLE: 9 plant-based sustainable fabrics you and your skin will love

How is Modal made?

The steps involved in producing Modal fabric are similar to those followed to make rayon or other types of viscose fabrics. Here’s a summary of what it involves. 

1. Harvest beech trees, chip them, and extract the cellulose from their pulp.
2. Make sheets from the cellulose and soak them in sodium hydroxide. 
3. Break the sheets into smaller pieces and soak them in carbon disulfate.
4. Soak the cellulose xanthate produced in the previous step in sodium hydroxide again.
5. Put the subsequent liquid solution through a spinneret to create the fibers.
6. Soak the fibers in sulfuric acid to form yarn.
7. Wash, bleach, dry, and load the yarn onto spools.
8. Woven or knit the yarn to create the fabric.

Is Modal sustainable?

The production of Modal fabric is not inherently sustainable. Still, it can become sustainable depending on how the manufacturers handle the production process and what specific steps are optimized to be environmentally responsible. 

There are a few areas to consider when analyzing the sustainability of Modal:

Raw materials

As mentioned earlier, the raw material for Modal is wood from beech trees. It’s easy to conclude that the more fabric we make, the more deforestation we potentially cause to the planet. However, some companies use certified trees planted explicitly for this purpose in places where no other agriculture is possible. Unfortunately, this is not always the case; in some countries where regulation is laxer, the trees harvested might come from rainforests.

On the other hand, trees are a more sustainable raw material than, for example, cotton, which requires enormous amounts of water to grow, making Modal in itself a more sustainable fabric than traditional cotton fabric.

Chemicals and waste

You can see in the previous section how Modal is made and the number of harmful chemicals required to produce it. The process, of course, ends up contaminating the water and environment and harming the people who work to make the fabric a reality.

Bleaching and dyeing processes

The underlying problem with these two processes is highly related to the above because, to dye fabric, many toxic materials are used and released into the environment.

A sustainable Modal fabric option

The company Lenzing produces one of the most sustainable Modal fibers under the branded name TENCEL Modal. According to their website, “the fibers are extracted from naturally grown beech wood by an environmentally responsible integrated pulp-to-fiber process, which is self-sufficient in energy and recovers co-products from parts of the wood.” 

It’s worth mentioning that TENCEL Modal is sourced from sustainable forests in Austria and neighboring countries. The fully integrated pulp and fiber production at the Lenzing site in Austria makes it possible to produce fibers in an eco-responsible way. TENCEL Modal fibers have earned the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) BioPreferred® designation.

Given Lenzing’s state-of-the-art process, TENCEL Modal fibers are biodegradable and compostable under industrial, home, soil, and marine conditions.

Lenzing also innovates the bleaching and dyeing processes by integrating them into their pulp-to-fiber production: Their Eco Clean technology is more environmentally responsible than conventional bleaching and completely chlorine-free.
Similarly, Eco Color technology offers an alternative to the Modal dyeing process. Textiles using this technology have been certified with the EU Ecolabel for textile products, a label of environmental excellence awarded to products meeting high ecological standards.

Modal properties

Modal fabric is an exquisite, soft fabric used as a substitute for silk or cotton. It’s very flexible, lightweight, and breathable. It has moisture-regulating properties and can keep your skin dry and cool.

Because of the above properties, it’s perfect for its usage in underwear and activewear garments.

Modal is deemed luxurious considering its remarkable properties, and it’s often more expensive than viscose or cotton.

• Long-lasting softness. The most notorious property of the modal fabric is its softness and gentleness to the skin. It also retains its softness even after several washes. 
• Breathability. Modal is highly lightweight and breathable, making it perfect for activewear and wearing during sporty activities.
• Moisture regulating. Modal has better moisture-wicking properties than cotton, keeping your skin feeling pleasantly cool and not clinging to it. 
• Shrink resistant. Modal fabric is enhanced to avoid shrinking, unlike other forms of rayon.

Biodegradable and compostable. If sourced from a certified brand such as TENCEL, the Modal is biodegradable and compostable; therefore, it can fully revert to nature.

Modal compared to other fabrics

Modal compared to cotton and polyester

In this table, I describe the main differences between Modal and other mainstream fabrics, such as cotton and polyester, so you get an idea of how these fabrics compare to each other.

How to care for Modal

​​Modal is generally easy to care for, given that it can be machine-washed and it’s not very sensitive to temperature. As always, we recommend looking at the specific instructions in your garment label because it’s typical for Modal to be mixed with other fabrics that might require extra care.

• Modal can be washed at any temperature, even though cold water is ideal. 
• It’s better to use oxygen-based bleach since chlorine bleach can weaken the fabric.
• Select low or medium heat for drying and promptly remove your items from the dryer to about wrinkles.

Modal fabric FAQs

Is modal a natural fiber?

Modal comes from a natural raw material, wood pulp. However, some chemicals are used to convert the pulp to fiber, and that fiber is considered semi-synthetic. 

In the case of TENCEL Modal, the fibers are biodegradable and compostable.

Is modal made from bamboo?

Some particular types of Modal fabric are made from bamboo, but it’s more common for it to be made from beech tree wood pulp.

Is modal compostable?

Yes, if we talk about TENCEL Modal, the fabric is certified biodegradable and compostable under industrial, home, soil, and marine conditions.

Is modal good for summer?

Yes, Modal is one of the best fabrics for summer, given its fantastic properties. It’s lightweight, breathable, and optimized for moisture absorption keeping your skin dry and cool during the summer.

Is modal warm?

Unfortunately, Modal is not one of the best fabrics to keep you warm, so it’s not ideal to use it in winter climates. 

Is modal fabric quick-drying?

Modal does not dry as quickly as other fabrics like polyester or nylon. It has similar features to cotton in that sense; therefore, it is not an ideal option for travelers who need to wash on the go and dry their clothes fast.

Is modal waterproof?

Modal has excellent moisture-wicking properties, and it won’t retain as much water as cotton; however, it cannot be considered waterproof.

Is modal odor resistant?

Yes, given that modal cellulosic fibers have excellent moisture-wicking properties, they can help regulate your body temperature, handling sweat and odor better than other fabrics. That’s one of the reasons it’s widely used for sportswear.

Is modal good for practicing sports like hiking?

Yes, Modal is one of the best fabrics to wear to practice sports. It’s stretchy, lightweight, breathable, and optimized for moisture absorption keeping your skin dry and cool meanwhile you practice hiking.

Is modal good for tie-dye?

Yes, you can tie-dye Modal as long as you’re using fiber-reactive dye. As the fabric is enhanced to be more resistant when wet, it’s even better than traditional rayon for this purpose.

Is modal good for sublimation?

The only suitable fabrics for dye sublimation are polyester, nylon, and lycra. As a general rule, it’s suitable only for synthetic materials. Since modal is a natural (regenerated) fiber, it’s not a good option for sublimation printing. 

Final thoughts

Modal fabric is an excellent alternative to traditional rayon, given its enhanced properties and potential for becoming a sustainable material. Also, the fabric is currently one of the best for underwear and athletic clothing because of its properties.

Companies like Lenzing constantly innovate to produce more environmentally responsible yarns, making it possible for brands and consumers to make better choices.

Thanks to recycled materials, the amount of energy, water, and dye is reduced by using a product that has already been processed. The savings are achieved by offsetting the production of new materials.

Companies such as Columbia, The North Face, Patagonia, and many others encourage consumers to bring in old clothing to be repurposed.

This blog post will detail what each type of recycled fabric entails and the advantages and challenges they pose regarding sustainability so you can make an informed decision about your purchases.

Recycled polyester

Recycled polyester, or rPET, is usually recycled from plastic bottles, such as ones that contain water or soda. Recycled polyester fabric is soft to the touch but durable and robust, making this a popular option for clothing or other products.

To produce rPET fabric, the polymer is mechanically shredded into confetti-like pieces that are then converted to pellets, melted, and spun into new yarn.

Advantages of recycled polyester

• rPET requires 59% less energy to produce and reduces CO2 emissions by 32%.
• The process helps combat plastic being thrown away in landfills and polluting oceans. It’s possible to make one extra-large T-shirt from 5 recycled bottles.
• It adds transparency to the supply chain. For example, some manufacturers like REPREVE identify rPET from collection to manufacturing using tags.

Challenges of recycled polyester

• The recycling process of PET bottles into fabric can only be done once; recycled polyester fabric cannot be recycled into another fabric again. And even if it’s possible under certain circumstances, like with chemical recycling, the quality of the material is inferior, making the garments lower quality than virgin polyester ones. In that sense, recycling only delays the eventual destiny of the plastic in landfills.
• Fabric-to-fabric recycling is difficult because many garments contain polyester and blend with other materials, making recycling nearly impossible.
• Recycled polyester does not address the microplastics problem. Both virgin and recycled polyester fabric pollute the environment with microplastics released into the atmosphere every time we wash our clothes.

Even though rPET takes significantly less energy to produce than virgin polyester, more sustainable options like hemp, wool, and organic cotton are still available.

As consumers, we can help by acquiring rPET products that do not require frequent washing, such as bags or shoes – to avoid microplastic pollution – and look for durable goods that can be resold and refurbished to make the most out of them.

While recycled polyester is better than virgin one, it’s still not the most sustainable material, as it does not help with circularity. Therefore we should use and consume it carefully.

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: The Reality Behind Cupro Fabric: Is The Material Sustainable?

Recycled nylon

Recycled nylon is sourced from pre and post-consumer waste, such as finishing nets, which means that recycled nylon can be good for cleansing the ocean of unwanted material and preventing adding more. Recycling also saves energy spent on manufacturing new virgin nylon.

Recycling nylon usually involves a process called hydrolysis. Hydrolysis is when water and chemicals like sodium hydroxide and sulphuric acid break down the cell structure of the fabric on a molecular level to then rebuild it into recycled nylons.

Advantages of recycled nylon

• The main advantage of recycled nylon is that it can be recycled indefinitely. Compared to recycled polyester, this is a more circular option.
• Using recycled nylon fabrics can significantly reduce CO2 emissions compared to virgin nylon. For example, Patagonia used recycled nylon in 90% of the clothing they designed for the Spring 2021 season, which reduced emissions by 20%. That amounts to more than 3.5 million pounds of CO2.

Challenges of recycled nylon

• Nylon cannot tolerate high temperatures, so the source materials have to be thoroughly cleaned before recycling to avoid organic contaminants remaining alive.
• Creating recycled nylon yarn is very similar to creating its virgin counterpart. Even if it has less impact on the environment, it still releases toxic substances and carbon emissions into the atmosphere.
• We must also remember that nylon is made from fossil fuels and, therefore, it is not biodegradable. And so, even if the fabric was recycled, it could end up as waste or in landfills polluting, just like traditional nylon.

We have learned that recycled yarn is made from existing products that would otherwise pollute our oceans and landfills. Therefore, recycling nylon is the best way to achieve circularity and minimize the environmental impacts of new production.

ECONYL is the name brand for one of the most advanced recycled nylon. If you want to learn more about it, you can check out our article, which explains the ECONYL process in detail.

To address nylon’s inherent challenges, initiatives such as project EFFECTIVE try to find alternatives for plastics. Nylon is a great candidate to be substituted by bio-materials. For example, AMNI Soul Eco – the first biodegradable nylon yarn – is part of a new generation of sustainable yarns that are changing the fashion world.

Combined, these innovations – recycling and biomaterials – offer viable solutions to the nylon industry’s challenges and provide opportunities for more environmentally friendly materials.

Recycled cotton

The recycled cotton process starts with natural textiles such as shirts or jeans being broken down into raw materials in a textile recycling factory. This recycled cotton is spun into yarn and fibers, often used to make new garments or other textiles.

Advantages of recycled cotton

• Recycling cotton means no new cotton plants need to be harvested, vastly reducing water and contaminants released into the environment. 
• Even though quality may not be par with traditional cotton, recycled cotton can find a new life in countless applications, including those typically relegated to lower-quality materials like insulation, mop heads, and stuffing.

Challenges of recycled cotton

• Cotton is most commonly mixed with polyester fibers during the recycling process. The mixing of materials may introduce difficulties in recycling the material again.
• One drawback of recycled fibers is that they are never as good quality as the original fiber. Specifically, this will mean a lower ratio of long fibers and less uniformity in length, which can limit the end-use application.
• Recycled cotton is often blended with virgin cotton to improve yarn strengths. Generally, no more than 30% recycled content is used in the finished fabric or product.
• Recycled yarn can cost more than standard cotton and may be too expensive or unrealistic for some uses.

When you combine recycled cotton and recycled polyester, the opportunity for a substantial reduction in environmental impact is enormous. For example, Patagonia’s Responsibili-tee T-shirt uses 63 gallons of water less when compared to those manufactured using traditional yarns, partly because no new cotton had to be harvested.

Regarding innovation in recycled cellulose textiles, the company Renewcell created a natural material called Circulose, made 100% from discarded fabrics – mainly cotton.

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: What is Lyocell Fabric and How Is It Revolutionizing the Clean Fashion Movement?

Recycled wool

Natural, renewable, and biodegradable, wool is the most reused and recyclable fiber around the planet. Slow fashion designers choose to work with wool, one of the world’s oldest natural fibers, to create many fashionable pieces.

The first fabric recycled was wool. In the mid-19th century, its popularity grew in North America and Europe, where rationing occurred during WWII.

Wool is a natural fiber with considerable long-term sustainability. Wool products are made of three primary materials: natural wool, wool dye, and wax or resin to make the fabric waterproof. As these materials are often reused for several applications before they need to be replaced, wool garments can stay in circulation for some time, making them an environmentally-friendly choice.

Producing wool, however, requires a vast amount of resources like land, water, and dyes to color the finished product. We use recycled wool to extend the lifespan of fiber that has already been produced.

Advantages of recycled wool

• With the aid of modern-day quality controls, the wool is meticulously sorted into color groups before being shredded. The sorting process allows selecting and blending colors of raw wool fabrics to the desired hue, which prevents the need for a dyeing process. The method also uses significantly less energy than necessary to produce new textiles.

Challenges of recycled wool

• The information currently available about the challenges of recycling wool are minimal. Still, it is possible to assume that labor-intensive work and knowledge of how to do so are necessary.

Final thoughts

We hope you enjoyed this article! As you can see, recycled materials are a more sustainable alternative than traditional ones. However, they cannot completely solve the environmental issues we face related to fashion over-consumption. Therefore, they are not a green light to mindlessly buy more clothes because they are labeled as recycled.

If you would like to learn about plant-based fabric options, read our article on how these new materials may help address some of our sustainability challenges in the future.

But it is important to note that fabrics associated with an eco-friendly message do not always tick all the boxes necessary to accomplish that mission. 

Along with the sustainable movement came the concept of greenwashing, meaning the outward appearance of greener attitudes and behaviors by brands, for example, came first to the actual adoption of such measures. 

Aspects of production like resources and materials aren’t immune to this: fabrics that were once considered sustainable for having one or a few objectively “eco-friendly” features turn out not to be quite what they seem when we get down to it.

Having gained a name for itself as “vegan silk,” cupro fabric has been commonly used as a great animal-free alternative for silk, great for dresses and other lightweight pieces. While the material is, in fact, vegan and features a lot of the same aesthetic qualities as silk, that’s not the end of the story.

Let’s take a closer look at cupro, what it is, and how we can intentionally place it on the scale of eco-friendly fabrics we should invest in today. 

What is cupro fabric?

Cupro is a semi-synthetic material that falls under the wing of Rayon fabric. Featuring the silk-like look and texture discussed above, cupro fabric has gained fame as a silk alternative. 

Eliminating the need for silkworms and boasting practical features such as machine-washability (something silk lacks!), there seem to be quite a few built-in sustainable characteristics to the cupro fabric when we first start digging. 

Cupro’s primary element is linter, a commonly disposed part of the cotton plant. Linter, the tiny fibers surrounding the cotton plant, is recycled and used for the production of the fabric rather than being eliminated as waste during cottonseed oil production. 

Also known as cuprammonium rayon, cupro material is made mainly by the Japanese company AhasiKASEI, under their brand, Bemberg.

How is the cupro fabric made?

After the linter has been sourced, chemicals like copper, ammonium, and sulfuric acid, amongst others, are used to create the silky fabric known as cupro. More specifically, chemical processing includes steps like spinneret machines to be processed into thin fibers.

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Circulose: The Innovative Circular Cellulose Fabric That You Will Love

Is cupro sustainable?

Undeniably eco-friendly features make cupro’s often premature designation as a sustainable fabric an understandable assumption. Beyond being a vegan material, cupro is bio-degradable and made from an otherwise discarded byproduct of a popular, massively-produced commodity. 

Compared to traditional fabrics like polyester and cotton, which are extremely popular in the fashion industry but notoriously harmful to the planet, cupro’s green features do call attention in a good way. Despite these features, it is also imperative to note how this fabric lacks when it comes to being truly sustainable.

The truth is, the high levels of chemical solutions used in cupro production must be disposed of once the process is through; while this can seem simple enough, it’s not that straightforward. Properly disposing of harsh chemicals like copper and ammonia is a costly and challenging process to master, which means it often isn’t done correctly. 

In addition to having adverse long-term effects on the workers that deal with them regularly, these chemicals cause incredible damage to the environment once they leave factories and production centers in less than ideal ways. 

While the cupro itself may be biodegradable, the chemicals used to produce it will remain as harmful agents on our planet. Ultimately, this isn’t a viable solution that can save us in the long term. 

At the end of the day, while we can celebrate some of the progress made by the textile industry when it comes to cupro, it can’t be said that the benefits of this fabric outweigh its adverse effects on the earth. 

The benefits of using cupro fabric

When it comes to its usability and benefits beyond the production process, cupro has a lot going for it.

Comfort and aesthetic 

This beautiful material is known to be incredibly soft and lightweight, as well as breathable and perfect for hot weather. 

Featuring a gorgeous and sophisticated look, cupro is also incredibly visually appealing, able to be used in high-end clothing that would otherwise depend entirely on the usage of silk. 

Affordable and practical 

Far more affordable than traditional silk and entirely cruelty-free, cupro fabric has various practical features contributing to its benefits.

Hypoallergenic and easy to maintain, this fabric caters to a broad audience through its practicality.

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: REPREVE: All You Need To Know About The Recycled Fabric

Brands using cupro fabric today

Curious to see how cupro is used by brands and present on the market today? 

Here is a list of some brands that are using cupro! Browse these shops to learn more about their missions and look at their cupro pieces.

• Girlfriend Collective 

• Altar 

• Whimsy and Row

• Amour Vert

A step in the right direction 

While it’s clear that cupro fabric is not the end all be all of the sustainable materials in the fashion industry (or anywhere else, for that matter!), it’s also valuable to note how it has contributed positively to the green movement.

Its popularity is another way of bringing attention to how new and old textile alternatives can be successfully implemented into the fashion scene without sacrificing quality and style. 

While there is undoubtedly a long way to go in finding more feasible, long-term alternatives as we move forward, cupro certainly stands as an example of the right direction, featuring admirable characteristics we hope to continue seeing in the sustainable fabric movement.

The fashion industry’s journey towards sustainability continues!

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Modal Fabric: All You Need To Know About Lightweight Material Made From Wood

Introduced in 2011, the Econyl fabric has made an incredible impact in the fashion industry through its innovative manufacturing approach and potential to create change. 

Also known as Econyl regenerated nylon, this Aquafil trademarked fabric allows the notoriously waste-heavy fashion industry to change how it looks at textile manufacturing and the consequent health of our oceans. 

Developed for years by their Energy & Recycling business for sustainable fabric technologies, Aquafil perfected the Econyl polymer manufacturing process. The 50-year-old yarn manufacturer revolutionized the concept of waste, using ocean and landfill waste to create Econyl products that can be regenerated indefinitely.

What is ECONYL, and how is it made?

Econyl is recyclable nylon regenerated from waste products. It’s easy to understand the positive impact this recycled fabric has on the ocean’s health when we compare the traditional nylon-manufacturing method to the innovative way of producing Econyl.

To make nylon fiber, textile companies need an organic compound called caprolactam – derived from refined oil – which means that every nylon product, from clothing to carpets, is manufactured after the extraction and transformation of oil. Unsurprisingly, oil extraction and transformation take a heavy toll on the environment.

Econyl, on the other hand, sidesteps the entire oil drilling and extraction process because the only raw materials it needs already exist: old fishing nets, fabric scraps, used plastic, and other types of ocean waste.

After the waste is collected and sorted, Aquafil removes the impurities from the raw materials (depolymerization) and then polymerizes them once again to create the needed caprolactam. After that, the material is ready to be transformed into yarn and used for various applications!

About Aquafil, the company behind ECONYL

The company was founded in 1965 and established its first production facility in Arco, Italy, in 1969. They specialized in the polymerization and manufacturing of nylon 6 fibers.

After years of perfecting nylon yarn production, in 2017, a new business unit was established in the company — Energy & Recycling — to focus on sustainability issues.

They began producing ECONYL polymer from pre and post-consumer waste in 2011 in their Julon plant in Ljubljana, Slovenia.

In 2017 Aquafil shares went public on the Italian stock exchange; this was, in part, thanks to concrete achievements like ECONYL 100% recycled and 100% performance nylon yarn. In addition, Aquafil revolutionized the concept of waste, transforming it into a raw material that can be regenerated indefinitely.

Moving even further with their sustainability aims, in 2018, the company took part in the European project EFFECTIVE to develop nylon and other textile fiber from biomaterials.

Is ECONYL really sustainable?

While ECONYL is good for the environment, in principle, it doesn’t address all of the problems related to the production, usage, and disposal of nylon on the planet. So let’s then divide this topic into two parts: what ECONYL solves and what’s still missing.

As we read before, the recycled yarn is produced from already existing nylon products, which, if not recycled, would remain polluting the oceans and landfills for many years (it’s estimated that nylon takes 30 to 40 years to degrade). 

Therefore, making that waste useful again is a great way to achieve circularity and not contaminate the environment even more with the production of brand new nylon.

RELATED ARTICLE: Recycled Fabrics Are The New Black, But Are They Sustainable?

If the Aquafil process were 100% perfect, they would recycle all the existing nylon an indefinite number of times, and the world would not need to produce any virgin one. Of course, that’s a massive challenge for just one company, but Aquafil aims to improve on circularity. 

In recent years, Aquafil has increased the production of secondary raw materials (in particular ECONYL regenerated caprolactam) to promote a circular economy. In 2018, the overall quantity of secondary raw materials used was around 168,000 tons.

On the other hand, the are inherent problems associated with nylon production that ECONYL currently doesn’t address. The recycled fabric is produced very similar to virgin nylon, which means there’s probably water contamination, toxic substances, and carbon emissions.

Let’s remember as well that nylon is a fossil fuel-derived fabric, and hence it’s not a biodegradable product. So even ECONYL yarn will stay on the planet for a long time, possibly ending up as waste and polluting in the same way as traditional nylon.

To tackle the inherent challenges that the fabric has, initiatives like project EFFECTIVE try to substitute plastics with bio-materials. Nylon is an excellent candidate to be replaced by organic materials. 

The innovative process introduced by the EFFECTIVE project begins with creating and manufacturing bio-based polyamides and polyesters and continues with a demonstration of their usability in large consumer products. Finally, the loop is closed by demonstrating circular end-of-life treatment of products.

All of these innovations, when combined, might offer a realistic way to achieve sustainability and address the current challenges that nylon products pose to the environment.

ECONYL fabric certifications

ECONYL has received several certifications, including Standard 100 certification from OEKO-TEX. You can find all other certifications here.

ECONYL properties

Econyl fabric is highly similar to nylon, meaning that most of this fabric’s characteristics will remain the same as its predecessor. 

As a synthetic fabric, it is very resistant to decomposition and will take approximately 30 to 40 years to degrade. Some of its consumer-friendly features are:

• Strength and elasticity: Econyl is very often used for form-fitting clothing like stockings, leggings, tights, activewear, and swimwear for this reason.
• Water resistance: The fabric doesn’t absorb water, making it perfect for outerwear garments such as trench coats, ponchos, and umbrellas.
• Wrinkle resistance: There’s no need to worry about ironing!
• Fast-drying: This makes the fabric ideal for travelers. 
• Easy to wash: To wash your Econyl pieces, avoid chlorine bleach, using only regular laundry detergent and preferably cold water. As for drying, I always prefer air drying to extend the lifespan of delicate items like tights or lingerie.

On top of its many benefits, Econyl is also an extremely versatile fabric. Its relative strength and resistance to abrasion make its possible applications endless: it can be used to create functional items such as tents, sleeping bags, and ropes, as well as to produce day-to-day accessories like luggage, gloves, and athletic shoes.

The material has gained a lot of popularity among fashionable apparel brands that are more and more investing in using ECONYL in their designs to cater to clients that care about sustainability.

As an example of the above, Prada has replaced some of its most iconic nylon products with Econyl — dubbed as Re-Nylon — and plans to substitute all its nylon with recycled material by late 2021. The material is also now famously being used for outerwear by Gucci and Burberry.

Here you can find a list of other brands that use ECONYL fabric in their clothing lines.

ECONYL cost

The cost of ECONYL fabric is slightly higher than virgin nylon. According to Vogue Business, Prada spends about 15 to 20 percent more per linear meter of the material. The cost increase is due to recovering waste nylon from the environment and the state-of-the-art process of depolymerizing and then polymerizing it back to produce the yarn.

ECONYL compared to cotton and polyester

How to care for ECONYL garments

ECONYL fabric has the same physical and chemical properties as regular nylon; therefore, the same care instructions apply. Nylon is usually very easy to wash and take care of, but it might be damaged if the proper techniques are not followed.

Remember always to check your clothing tags for specific directions, but you can use the following general advice:

• Washing. Wash ECONYL separately in a cold or low-temperature setting for best results. You can use regular laundry detergent but avoid chlorine bleach.

• Drying. If you’re using the drier machine, select the lowest temperature possible to prevent potential damage or melt the garments. Air drying might be the best option to extend the life of delicate items like tights or lingerie.

Closing thoughts

Many people believe that Econyl has the potential to make the concept of “recycling” mainstream in the fashion industry. 

It’s not just a great material that makes quality products and fashion pieces but also a great way to make the importance of cleaning our oceans more apparent and tangible for everyday people. 

Luxury fashion brand Prada has already announced plans to substitute all its nylon with recycled material by late 2021 with its brand of recycled nylon. Various other brands seem to be following suit!

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Modal Fabric: All You Need To Know About Lightweight Material Made From Wood

Of course, for our oceans to be even better, an industry-wide effort is necessary to spread awareness of this technology and encourage its use by new consumers. Hopefully, it’s only a matter of time. 

Econyl seems to be getting steady traction in the industry, inserting itself as a soon-to-be staple when it comes to sustainable fabrics. As more and more brands and consumers adopt this fabric over time, our oceans will get increasingly cleaner!

If you would like to expand your knowledge about modern sustainable fabrics, make sure to check out the article I wrote about the fascinating EcoVero viscose fabric.

ECONYL fabric FAQs

Luckily, some of today’s technologies allow for new, more sustainable, and durable options than the majority of fashion merchandise, all while preserving their quality and value – lyocell is one of those options.

If you are looking for more sustainable ideas for fashion and clothing without sacrificing style and comfort, look no further than Lyocell, an amazing new fabric that is quickly winning over the hearts and minds of fashion consumers around the globe.

What is Lyocell Fabric?

Lyocell is classified as a type of rayon, a semi-synthetic fiber made from a natural source like wood. Its sought-after look and feel hold many similarities to other popular natural fabrics such as silk. 

Before lyocell, other types of rayon were manufactured mostly through what is called a “viscose process,” which generates large amounts of contaminated water and yields carbon sulfide, a dangerous neurotoxin.

In the search for a better way, scientists developed a new method that uses considerably less water through a closed-loop system, meaning that less than 1% of the chemicals used actually count as process waste. This has tremendous benefits to the environment and produces a fabric that, in many ways, is actually superior in quality to other options.

One of the most sustainable brand names for lyocell fibers is TENCEL Lyocell, commercialized by Lenzing.

Benefits of Lyocell Clothing

Lyocell technology creates a rare win-win-win situation: it benefits the environment, the industry, and consumers. Here’s how:

• Sustainability: Lyocell is one of the most sustainable fabrics today, and it is because it has eco-friendly benefits at every step of the supply chain:
  • Procurement: The raw materials needed for production are renewable cellulose soft-wood crops and wood pulp, which is considered carbon neutral.  
  • Processing: The manufacturing process is reasonably low in water and energy intensity, and does not require chemical bleaching. This means that it produces far less chemical and water waste than other processes, all while using far less energy!
  • Waste Management: Because there is far less waste being produced as a side-effect of the processing stage, there is less need for infrastructure solely focused on the isolation, transportation, and discard of high volumes of contaminated water. Also, at the end of the product’s lifecycle, lyocell is 100% biodegradable. 

• Versatility: Lyocell can be used for many different applications, which further increases its positive impact on the environment as less sustainable options can slowly be replaced everywhere in consumers’ lives.  When it comes to clothing, lyocell can be used for intimates, day-to-day garments, and active sportswear. It can also be used to make high-quality bed sheets and towels. Companies that jump on this trend to create high-quality lyocell products will positively disrupt the industry.

• Quality: The fashion industry likes to throw around the term “quality,” but what exactly does this mean? For lyocell, the answer is easy: its quality can be attributed to its highly durable, wrinkle-resistant features, as well as additional benefits that make it extremely comfortable and convenient to wear:
  • Smooth texture: Lyocell clothing has that “peachfuzz” feel; it is incredibly smooth and gentle on the skin. It is also somewhat flexible, meaning it doesn’t easily crease or wrinkle with use.
  • Breathability: Incredibly light and breathable, lyocell clothing has great applications for normal day-to-day use as well as for sports. It has great moisture-wicking properties that allow you to stay cool and dry even on a hot summer day, without the clothing sticking to your skin.
  • Durability: Take good care of your garments and they will take care of you. Lyocell makes this easy because it is resistant to wrinkles, and requires less washing than fabrics like cotton.
  • Visual and Aesthetic Appeal: With lyocell clothing, you can enjoy all the benefits above, while still looking and feeling great. These garments look rich, and luxurious, and can also be customizable to your preference: since it comes from a natural source, they can very easily be dyed with your favorite colors!

RELATED ARTICLE: 9 plant-based sustainable fabrics you and your skin will love

How to Maintain Your Lyocell Garments

While it’s certainly durable, lyocell is also a delicate fabric – it’s important to know how to care for your lyocell garments in order to maximize their lifespan and usability. Treat it as you would pieces made of silk!

Washing: When you can, opt for hand washing your lyocell garments for greater care, or simply use the washing machine on the gentle cycle. For stain removal, favor using oxygen bleach to remove stains and other unwanted dirt. 

Drying: sun-drying your clothes is always preferable, as it avoids using fresheners and other chemicals such as dryer sheets and softeners. If that option is not available, you can still air dry it or machine dries it in low heat.

Pressing: steamers are preferable, but you can both iron your garment and use a pressing cloth.

Closing Thoughts

Lyocell combines great looks, comfort, and environmental friendliness, ready to continue winning over many consumers over the coming years.

Despite its higher price tag, fashion enthusiasts and consumers should consider investing in lyocell pieces for their personal collections. 

Besides comfort, luxury, style, and value for money, lyocell allows us all to feel good about contributing to a cleaner environment for us all. Taking good care of our clothes and being mindful of how our day-to-day habits impact the world is a trend we can all get behind, and lyocell is a great new option to do it with!

RELATED ARTICLE: Circulose: The Innovative Circular Cellulose Fabric That You Will Love

Lyocell fabric FAQs

It’s not looking good, but there is one company that is changing that: Re:newcell, who developed a recycled fabric that goes by the name Circulose.   

What is Circulose and how is it made?

Circulose is a natural material made 100% from discarded textiles and it is an innovative solution to textile waste. In fact, Circulose closes the loop of fashion, which is known to be the second most polluting industry in the whole world, without compromising on style or quality. 

The first step of the manufacturing process is the recollection of textile waste and worn-out clothes, which in this case are the raw material for this fabric. The company behind Circulose explains that these garments can’t be resold to people because they are either worn out or “hopelessly out of style”. So, they make sure they don’t end up in landfills, as it usually occurs.

Moreover, they clarify that they prefer cotton clothes because they contain a lot of cellulose. Cellulose is the most abundant organic polymer in the world and its purest form can be found indeed in cotton. 

These recycled garments are used to recover the cotton that is then manipulated to extract the (recycled) cellulose. Before that, clothes need to be shredded, de-buttoned, de-zipped, de-colored and turned into a slurry. Afterward, dyes and contaminants like plastic polyester are taken out and finally, cotton is put through a water-based chemical process to extract the cellulose. 

Once the pure cellulose is taken out, it is then dried and pressed into sheets of Circulose. As you can see, the name of this fiber comes from the fact that it is indeed circular cellulose. 

The sheets of Circulose are packaged into bales and then shipped to be finally transformed into natural textile fibers, once again. The fashion loop is now closed. 

RELATED ARTICLE: Hemp Clothing Benefits: Why You Should Be Wearing This Ethical Fiber

About Re:newcell 

Re:newcell was founded in 2012 and it is the company responsible for Circulose. Only two years after its creation, the Kristinehamn-based manufacturer (Sweden) developed the first prototype of this new material. 

What sets Re:newcell apart from other textile manufacturers is that they focus on developing sustainable production processes that preserve natural resources, and reduce both carbon emissions and the use of polluting chemicals.

Moreover, traditional regenerated fibers, like Lyocell and viscose, are made by using cellulose sourced from wood. Re:newcell’s patented technology, on the contrary, sources the cellulose from recycled textile fibers. 

Is Circulose sustainable?

Yes, it is. Circulose is not only sustainable because it is an alternative cellulose pulp that is made from recycled textile waste. It is also eco-friendly because its innovative production process is powered by 100% renewable energy. 

In addition, this new material doesn’t involve the need for cotton fields, oils, or trees, as the company uses what is already out there to manufacture it. That is old clothes and discarded textiles. 

In comparison to clothes made in a conventional way, garments made of Circulose cut their environmental impact to almost zero. That is because circulose reduces the use of water, the creation of microplastics and waste, and the deforestation fashion footprint.  

If we compared viscose fibers made from wood pulp to the ones made of textile waste, we could clearly see that these last have a much lower carbon emission impact. And therefore a more positive impact on the planet. 

What are Circulose applications?

So far, we have mentioned that Circulose is an incredibly sustainable material that can change the textile and fashion industry. But there is a lot more. Circulose can also be applied to other industries and products.

For example, it could be used as an alternative to plastic and therefore it could work in the manufacturing of hangers. In fact, a study made by the University of Northumbrian claimed that an estimated 954 million plastic hangers are made annually only in the UK. And most of them end up in landfills after one single use. 

Re:newcell already came up with a successful prototype of a hanger made with Circulose, so it shouldn’t be a surprise if we came across an entirely new production in the near future. 

RELATED ARTICLE: Hemp Or Wool Clothing: Which One Is Better And Why?

Which brands are using Circulose?

Circulose is a cutting-edge material and it is not news that brands and businesses from all around the world want to be part of this revolution. Re:newcell has collaborated with several world-leading brands, promoting a circular economy and a sustainable approach to fashion. 

In 2019, the Sweden company partnered with Chinese viscose manufacturer Tangshan Sanyou, who now produces viscose fibers made 50% of Re:newcell’s Circulose pulp and 50% of FSC certified wood pulp. (FSC stands for Forest Stewardship Council).

The following year, H&M became the first brand to use Circulose on a market scale, when they launched the Conscious Exclusive collection for the Spring-Summer 2020 season. The garment in question was a navy blue dress made partially with Circulose, which was made using worn jeans.  

Another label that collaborated with Re:newcell is Levi’s, long known for its sustainability efforts. In July 2020, the brand launched the Levi’s® 502 Taper jeans, which became the most sustainable model in the history of the label until that moment. 

As well, a limited edition collection by the firm Vero Moda, called “The Beauty of Second Life”, also included a ruffled mini dress made 50% of Circulose. The other half was sourced from wool cellulose.

Of course that the essential goal in the textile and fashion industry would be that there wasn’t any waste at all. But until that is solved, Circulose fiber presents itself as a temporary and viable alternative to waste cotton. 

For more on sustainable materials, take a look at AMNI Soul Eco: All You Need To Know About The Sustainable Nylon Fabric and REPREVE: All You Need To Know About The Recycled Fabric. 

Among these innovations, we have been over new eco-friendly alternatives to conventional textiles. We have already talked about REPREVE Recycled Fabric and now it’s time to discover AMNI Soul Eco. 

What is AMNI Soul Eco?

AMNI Soul Eco is part of a new generation of textiles that are environmentally-friendly. It is a recyclable and reusable nylon that is as resistant and high-performance as traditional polyamides, and it is the world’s first biodegradable yarn in the world.

Nowadays, when speaking of sustainable synthetic fibers, it is most common to find that they are eco-friendly because they are produced to reduce waste on the front-end by using recycled materials. Yet AMNI Soul Eco goes beyond that.

In fact, this fabric is the only recyclable and biodegradable polyamide thread in the world at the moment. It takes into consideration the manufacturing process, but also the end of the yarn’s lifecycle. 

How is AMNI Soul Eco made?

AMNI Soul Eco is a yarn developed and produced by Solvay, and distributed by FULGAR. This yarn has similar look and purpose to conventional synthetic fibers, yet its chemical structure and composition is slightly different.

While conventional synthetic fibers do not allow bacterial penetration and have a slower degradation process, AMNI fabric is made using an enhanced polyamide and manufactured in a way that it is easier and faster for bacteria to digest. 

RELATED ARTICLE: Circulose: The Innovative Circular Cellulose Fabric That You Will Love

Is AMNI Soul Eco sustainable?

Yes, it is. AMNI Soul Eco is part of a new generation of sustainable yarns that are changing the fashion world. 

On a first note, water is reused during its manufacturing process, which reduces the need of employing virgin, clean water for its making. On the other hand, the manufacturing process also helps preserve the ozone layer as it reduces the greenhouse gas emissions. The small amount of gasses that are created are taken care of before they are released to the air. 

Moreover, the Amni Soul Eco production doesn’t involve the use of harmful substances. It has been certified by Oeko-Tex 一an independent control and certification system that focuses on the safety of textile products for human use一 as Standard 100 Class 1 yarn, which means it is toxic free and suitable for everyone to wear, from adults to babies.   

These approaches allow brands and companies to respect and take care of the planet’s limited resources. 

How long does it take for AMNI Soul Eco yarn to biodegrade?

Thanks to its enhanced polyamide 6.6 formula, AMNI Soul Eco is a biodegradable fiber that takes between 3-5 years to decompose. That is a huge difference if compared with conventional polyamides that take more than 50 years to biodegrade. 

In other words, the AMNI Soul Eco solution decomposes ten times faster than the other synthetic fabrics we can find in the market today. 

This technical yarn provides high quality clothing and, therefore, more durable garments. But, just like any other product, their lifecycle must end in the Earth’s soil. What is in fact innovative about AMNI Soul Eco is that it can disappear from the planet in a very short period of time, which reduces the environmental impact of the textile and fashion industry. 

When disposed of in landfills, this technical yarn gets in contact with microorganisms that can only be found in the anaerobic environment, responsible for breaking down the fabric into biomass (that is organic matter) and biogas, and accelerating the biodegradation process.

That is, AMNI recycled nylon can exclusively biodegrade under landfill conditions, where there is no oxygen and where we can find this particular bacteria. Therefore, it will not deteriorate or smell during standard usage. 

After said biodegradation process, the remains can become new environmental resources or they can also be used for producing combined heat and power (that is cogenerating electricity). 

As a consequence, this whole process enhances landfill productivity waste and helps preserve and protect remaining green areas. 

RELATED ARTICLE: REPREVE: All You Need To Know About The Recycled Fabric

What are AMNI Soul Eco’s main benefits?

Aside from being sustainable, AMNI Soul Eco fabric is also very comfortable, breathable and it feels like a soft touch on the skin. It is a high-quality fabric with moisture absorption properties that can be recycled once its lifecycle is over. 

This light textile can be easily dyed and washed, as well as quickly dried. Clothes made with Amni Soul Eco don’t suffer any changes during their usage and they last as long as the ones made with conventional polyamides. 

How is AMNI Soul Eco used?

AMNI Soul Eco yarn can be used for all fashion industry purposes. For example, thanks to its breathability and softness, it is particularly suitable for lingerie, hosiery and underwear. 

It also works great for jeanswear, sportswear and beachwear because it is comfortable and it can dry fast. AMNI Soul Eco is a major breakthrough for the textile and fashion industry, but it is also a big step forward for future generations and the care of our only planet. 

Another application for this textile are accessories, including hats, caps, bags, backpacks and similar sports accessories. 

Which brands are using AMNI Soul Eco?

AMNI Soul Eco is an innovative fabric, and although its discovery and production is quite recent, we can already find brands from all around the world that are implementing it in their collections. 

To name a few, Italian conscious brand Save The Duck, Hawaii-based activewear brand Lilikoi and American designer Mara Hoffman with her homonymous label. 

As we said earlier, one of AMNI’s main applications is beachwear and swimwear. For example, Frankies Bikinis from Los Angeles has launched a sustainable collection with this fabric. As well as AURAI Swimwear, founded by italo-brazilian designer Natalia Bertolo, Brazilian label Baianá Eco and Mallorca-based brand Nakawe. 

To learn more about eco-friendly fashion and discover similar materials, visit our sustainability section. 

So whether you spend your hours sitting behind a desk or running across town from one meeting to another, let these sustainable fashion brands outfit your way to success. Now, if you are blessed enough to work from home, the top sustainable fashion brands women love have something special for you too.

Eileen Fisher

People have been raving about Eileen Fisher’s affordable, sustainable workwear for quite some time. With a heavy focus on recycling clothing, sourcing sustainable fabrics, and fighting against unfair labor conditions, Eileen Fisher is definitely amongst the top 8 sustainable fashion brands for work. You can opt for dozens of basics-meets-business-casual options knowing that over 1.6 million pieces have been repaired and resold through their “Green Eileen” program that reduces textiles waste. The brand is also touted for its excellent work culture and environmental responsibility. In fact, their numerous initiatives cover everything from water and energy conservation programs to fair trade and energy conservation programs. From Pima cotton dresses to linen tops and organic cotton cardigans, this Eileen Fisher has all your workwear needs covered.

Vetta

Vetta quickly became one of the most beloved sustainable workwear clothing brands thanks to their versatile capsule collections of 5 items that make 30 different outfits. You can shop by item and by capsule or DIY your way to the ethical fashion world with a completely custom assortment of 2,3,4 or 5 items. Rest assured that all their woven clothing is made in a family-run factory in NYC. As for their beautiful sweaters, they are crafted in LA with solar energy power. Furthermore, they also have a holistic approach to sustainability, which is why they are committed to slow fashion manufacturing while also using 100% recycled materials for their packaging. If you are on the lookout for ethical fashion brands for work, Vetta’s Tencel, Organic Cotton, and deadstock fabric will undoubtedly tick all your sartorial boxes.

Amour Vert

For Amour Vert, ethically-sourced, traceable, and eco-friendly raw fibers and materials are at the forefront of their sustainability pledge. Their affordable, sustainable workwear is crafted from GOTS cotton, TENCEL modal, FSC-certified repurposed plant seed fibers, and ethical wool. Even their packaging is made from recycled materials and soy-based inks. Thanks to their local small-scale manufacturing program, fewer chemicals, water, and wastewater are used to produce it. The “wear to work” collection runs the gamut from smart-casual kit cardigans and button-down staple shirts to comfy cropped pants. Unlike most ethical fashion brands for work, Amour Vert carries an array of utterly chic floral options too. Young, fresh, and most importantly, sustainable and ethical work clothing – what more can you ask for?

RELATED ARTICLE: 10 Sustainable Clothing Brands For College Students Who Love Affordable Fashion

Aday

When it comes to the best sustainable fashion brands, comfort, style, and quality are pretty much guaranteed. As Aday mentions, wardrobe staples should be cleverly designed to wear on repeat. They pledge to help you reap the benefits of power dressing with versatility and longevity in mind. The collection includes a slew of sustainable clothing for work from recycled, regenerated, biodegradable, and bio-based fibers with renewable fabric manufacturing. From high-performing Bluesign and OEKO-TEX certified  REPREVE polyester to TENCEL, the options are all in your favor. The affordable, sustainable workwear line covered the needs of serial outfit repeaters who love styling their minimalistic wrap tops, air jackets, comfy tailored pants, and chic button-downs in dozens of different ways. In fact, they actively encourage customers to participate in the Outfit Repeater Challenge to inspire them to wear and re-wear their versatile collection again and again. 

Stella McCartney

When we think of the best sustainable fashion brands women swear by, Stella McCartney is the first sustainable and ethical work clothing line that comes to mind. From ethically-made suits and co-ords crafted for a modern, effortless look to wear-me-everywhere shirts that are perfect for on-and off-duty ensembles, the vestiary options are endless. The well-known environmental activist uses 100% sustainable viscose, Econyl regenerated nylon, Bolt Threads’ Microsilk, Evrnu’s NuCycle yarn. Additionally, almost 45% of McCartney’s operations are run on 100% renewable, green energy. Of course, the brand is also a member of the Ethical Trading Initiative and pledged to report its activities and progress in the code of labor of the company. Let’s just say that they are truly one of the best sustainable fashion brands for the work of 2022.

The acquired

The Acquired is certainly one of the top sustainable fashion brands women wear on repeat. They aim to outfit modern, busy women on a mission to succeed with the best sustainable clothing for work. On top of that, every piece is handmade from nature-derived or biodegradable fabrics. From suit outfits and office-appropriate dress looks to ensembles with skirts and trousers, their virtual shelves are chock full of eco-conscious, enviable options that won’t force you to compromise on style and professionalism. Did we mention that you can also choose your next favorite sustainable workwear based on your body shape?  

RELATED ARTICLE: 10 Sustainable Clothing Brands For Petite You’ll Love

Rest assured that the aforementioned best sustainable fashion brands for work will help you reintroduce some creativity into our daily office ensembles. Luckily for us, more and more companies are switching their questionable manufacturing and sourcing practices with transparent, ethical alternatives to minimize waste and further assist the environment. 

There are so many sustainable clothing for work to choose from – all you have to do is start browsing through the list of affordable, sustainable workwear ASAP.