In a world dominated by fast fashion, it’s easy to see why synthetic fabrics like polyester and nylon are everywhere. They’re cheap, easy to produce, and have taken over clothing racks across the globe. But if you’ve ever wondered why natural fabrics—like cotton, cashmere, or linen—come with a higher price tag, here’s the inside scoop. Spoiler: it’s not just about cost; it’s about quality, sustainability, and your health.
How Natural Fabrics Are Made and Why They Cost More
Natural fabrics take time, care, and resources to produce, and that’s why they’re priced higher than their synthetic counterparts. Let’s break it down:
1. Cotton
• How It’s Made: Cotton comes from the fluffy fibers of the cotton plant. After harvesting, it’s cleaned, spun into yarn, and woven into fabric. High-quality cotton often comes from organic farming methods that avoid pesticides and harmful chemicals.
• What It Takes: Cotton farming requires lots of water (around 2,700 liters for a single T-shirt!), human labor to plant and pick the crop, and additional costs for organic certification.
• Why It Costs More: Organic cotton costs 20–50% more than regular cotton, and way more than synthetic fabrics like polyester.
2. Cashmere
• How It’s Made: Cashmere comes from the soft undercoat of cashmere goats, typically raised in cold climates like Mongolia and China. Workers comb the goats by hand during molting season to gather the fine fibers, which are then cleaned, sorted, and spun into yarn.
• What It Takes: It takes wool from 3–5 goats to make just one sweater. Add the time, labor, and resources needed to care for the goats, and it’s no surprise that cashmere is one of the priciest natural fabrics.
• Why It Costs More: Cashmere is about 5–10 times more expensive to produce than synthetic fleece.
3. Linen
• How It’s Made: Linen is made from the flax plant. Farmers harvest the plant, break down the tough outer layers, extract the fibers, and weave them into fabric. This process, called retting and scutching, is incredibly labor-intensive.
• What It Takes: Flax takes months to grow, and processing it requires skilled workers and time-consuming steps.
• Why It Costs More: Linen can cost 30–50% more than cotton and significantly more than polyester due to its intricate production process.
Why Synthetic Fabrics Are Cheaper
If natural fabrics sound like a labor of love, synthetic fabrics are their complete opposite. Here’s why they’re so much cheaper:
1. How They’re Made:
• Synthetic fabrics like polyester and nylon are made from petroleum-based chemicals. They’re melted, spun into fibers, and woven into fabric using machines—no farms, water, or seasonal labor required.
2. Low Resource Dependency:
• Unlike cotton or flax, synthetics don’t rely on land, water, or careful harvesting. Machines do all the work, cutting costs significantly.
3. The Price Gap:
• Polyester costs as little as $1–2 per yard. Compare that to organic cotton, which costs $8–12 per yard, and it’s easy to see why fast fashion brands choose synthetic materials.
Health Impacts of Synthetic Fabrics
Here’s where it gets real: synthetic fabrics don’t just hurt the planet—they can harm your body too.
1. Microplastics and Hormonal Disruption
• Synthetic fabrics shed microplastics every time they’re washed. These tiny plastic particles end up in the water supply and even inside your body.
• Many synthetics contain chemicals like phthalates and BPA, which mimic estrogen and can disrupt your hormones—especially for women.
2. Breathability and Skin Health
• Polyester and nylon trap heat and sweat, which can irritate your skin and lead to bacterial growth.
• Natural fabrics like cotton and linen are breathable, moisture-wicking, and gentle on your skin.
3. Grounding and Emotional Well-Being
• Natural fabrics come from the earth, and wearing them can have a grounding, calming effect. Synthetic materials? Not so much. They feel artificial because they are artificial.
Why Natural Fabrics Are Worth the Investment
So, why should you choose natural fabrics over cheap synthetics? Here are three big reasons:
• Eco-Friendly and Sustainable: Natural fabrics decompose naturally, while synthetic fabrics sit in landfills for centuries.
• Healthier for You: No toxic chemicals or microplastics leaching into your skin.
• Better Quality: Natural fabrics like cashmere, linen, and organic cotton last longer and get softer over time, making them a better long-term investment.
Naturre: Conscious Fashion
At Naturre, we’re all about conscious living. That’s why our clothing line is made exclusively from majority of natural fabrics like cotton. We believe what you wear should reflect your values, enhance your health, and protect the planet.
Yes, our pricing reflects the time, resources, and craftsmanship behind every piece. But when you invest in Naturre, you’re investing in yourself, your health, and the future of sustainable fashion.
Choose natural. Choose conscious. Choose Naturre: Conscious Fashion.
When you wear natural fabrics, you’re not just making a style statement—you’re making a statement about what matters to you. Let’s leave synthetic fibers in the past and embrace a future that’s healthier, kinder, and more connected to the earth.
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Written by Ashlee Sunshine