What are the most common materials used in making your clothes?

Natural Fibres

Here are some of the most common textiles used for garment production. Let’s start with materials made from natural fibres. 

Cotton

First on our list is cotton. This is by far the most common textile in the apparel industry. Cotton is the most profitable non-food crop in the world, providing work to almost 7% of all labour in developing countries (WWF, 2013). According to Florida State University, this material comprised 60% of all U.S.-produced retail apparel and home furnishings (Florida State University, 2020). But why is this material so successful? 

This textile is used to manufacture all types of clothes, from T-shirts to trousers, hats, and socks. Not many people know that plenty of materials, such as denim, corduroy, and muslin, also come from cotton. But what are some of the properties that contributed to its success? 

First and foremost, cotton is easy to clean, as it withstands high temperatures. It’s also durable, provides an excellent screen printing surface, and can absorb heat and sweat. 

Unfortunately, however, this product is extremely polluting. Over 10,000 litres of water are used to produce just one kg of cotton (The World Count, 2024). The cultivation of this plant is also associated with soil erosion and health concerns for its workers. In this regard, organic cotton can provide a good solution for brands wanting to use this material while protecting the environment. 

Wool

Wool is the most common animal fibre in the apparel industry, making up roughly 1% of all our clothes (CO Data, 2016; TextileExchance, 2022). This material is highly breathable and absorbent and can keep our bodies warm thanks to its insulating properties. For this reason, it is mainly used to produce warm clothes such as cardigans and sweaters. Some popular wool fabrics include mohair, merino, and cashmere, which is the most expensive. Wool is fully natural, meaning that it is biodegradable and, compared to other fabrics, can be considered quite sustainable, as its production often produces less CO2 emissions than other materials.

Linen

Less than one per cent of our clothes are made from linen. However, this material can be used to produce all kinds of clothes, including shirts, skirts, and dresses. Linen dries quickly, is durable, and ventilates well; the ideal option for summery clothes. This fabric is made from linen fibres from a so-called flax plant, which is fully biodegradable. This plant requires fewer pesticides and less water for its cultivation than other crops, meaning linen is often considered a sustainable fabric. However, compared to other textiles, this tends to be quite costly. 

Silk

Even though only a minimum percentage of our clothes is made from silk, this fabric is still considered one of the most luxurious options on the market. This material is made from silkworms, which produce cocoons from which we derive long fibre strands. Silk is known for its breathability, elasticity, and ability to absorb liquid. However, unlike what most people think, this material is not so sustainable. On the bright side, it is fully biodegradable and requires fewer pesticides than other materials. On the negative side, it is associated with lots of water waste, as roughly 850-1000 tons of water are used to produce one ton of raw silk (Fashion United, 2021). 

Synthetic fibres

 Unlike natural ones, synthetic fibres are made artificially through chemical synthesis and comprise roughly 60% of the global garment’s production (Vox, 2019). Here are the most common ones. 

Nylon 

This synthetic plastic material was developed in 1930 by American chemist Wallace H. Carothers and is known for its resistance to wear, heat, and chemicals (Britannica, 2024). Often used for lightwear, this textile doesn’t perform too well when it comes to sustainability. Unfortunately, nylon is not biodegradable, meaning it persists in the environment for very long periods. While at the beginning, this material was more expensive, today it is extremely cheap, especially when mixed with other fibres. 

Polyester

Polyester, a synthetic fibre usually derived from petroleum, is often blended with cotton to improve clothes' durability, wrinkling, and shrinkage. This material is extremely durable, easy to dye, and often used for outerwear clothes. Similarly to nylon, polyester is not biodegradable, and the dyes used for this material are insoluble in water. On top of this, this fabric is quite water-thirsty. On the bright side, similarly to nylon, this fabric is pretty cheap. 

Ryon 

Also known as viscose, Ryon is a semi-synthetic fibre, as it is made from the chemical treatment of wood pulp. This fabric is quite soft and was once referred to as artificial silk. Some of its positives include its ability to absorb moisture and be wrinkle-free, while on the negative side, it shrinks quickly and doesn’t stretch much. In terms of sustainability, ryon doesn’t perform too well. This material is responsible for the deforestation of ancient and endangered forests, and its manufacturing processes require highly toxic materials. 

Elastane 

Last on our list is elastane, renowned for its stretchability. It is used in almost all underwear and bras in their waistbands and all other parts requiring stretchiness. If you have a pair of leggings that can fit almost every size, they are probably made of this material. This fabric is quite expensive compared to other synthetic materials due to its useful properties. Unfortunately, elastane has a petroleum base, meaning it cannot be considered environmentally friendly. On top of this, like most other synthetic fabrics, it is not biodegradable.