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Fair Trade and Hemp Clothes: Feel Good About Your Wardrobe

Sustainable Fashion

Last Updated on February 8, 2024

Hemp clothes have been around for a long time but fell to the wayside a few decades ago. They’re making a comeback though, thanks to their anti-bacterial, long-lasting fibers and sustainable harvesting practices.

Hemp clothes are comfortable, anti-bacterial, and long-lasting, so it’s a top choice for sustainably-minded and Fair Trade-compliant hemp clothing brands. Hemp cloth is soft and gentle on skin and can be made into a variety of fashionable, trendy items. Clothes made from hemp are just one way you can contribute to a less wasteful fashion industry! I’m sharing some of the best hemp clothing brands that keep sustainability and ethical business practices in mind.

a woman wearing a black long sleeve and orange coat with overlay text reading "6 hemp clothing brands for earth-friendly fashion"

hemp clothes are back

Hemp fabric is made of hemp fiber, one of the strongest and most durable natural fibers in the world. It comes from the industrial hemp plant, a fast-growing and high-yielding crop that requires less water to grow compared to cotton.

Hemp cloth has been around for a long time — traces of hemp cultivation date back to 10,000 years ago! While hemp is not as widely used as cotton today, this ancient material is making a comeback in new collections from fashion brands.

And if you’re only picturing “hippy” or sack dresses, that’s no longer the case. There are several brands that turn hemp fabric into fashionable outfits without compromising on being eco-friendly!

hemp cloth can be used for almost anything

Garments commonly made from hemp fabric include dresses, hoodies, skirts, pants, and jackets. Tee shirts are especially popular thanks to the durability of hemp clothes. They make a great, gentle option for baby and kids clothing thanks to how soft and resistant to wear and tear they are.

However, the cellulose fiber from the hemp plant can be used as a sustainable component of almost anything. It can be turned into bags, canvas, rope, skincare products, building materials, paper, and food products. There’s even been talks of biodegradable plastic being made from hemp cellulose.

Considering how eco friendly hemp can be as a crop, it shows endless potential to solve a lot of problems we face with the climate and emissions, not just a wasteful fashion industry.

hemp clothing brands that offer comfy, earth-friendly fashion

To help you choose the perfect hemp clothing brands, this list includes brands that:

  • Use only hemp OR combine hemp cloth with another sustainable material (such as organic cotton)
  • Offer a variety of designs (so you can pick what’s right for you)
  • Follow Fair Trade practices for their products (sourcing and manufacturing)

The fashion industry is notorious for its waste, especially with today’s heavy emphasis on fast fashion that’s not built to last and too cheap to be worth repairing. Clothes made from hemp will not only last you a long time, but they demand less of the environment. Plus, these companies prioritize ethical practices and some are even climate neutral. Talk about a wardrobe you can feel good about!

the best clothes made from hemp

tentree

Tentree, based in Canada, works with partner factories around the world to ethically manufacture clothing. They use sustainable and responsibly sourced materials like hemp, organic cotton, and recycled polyester.

What’s with the name? Well, tentree plants TEN trees for every item you purchase! They’ve planted 66 million trees so far through this initiative and are aiming to plant a billion trees by 2030. Not only is it a Certified B Corporation, but it’s also Climate Neutral Certified.

They have a pretty wide range of products from shirts to pants, plus hoodies made for men, women, and kids. You can also find flannel and hats made with hemp on the tentree website.

Hemp clothes - a woman wearing a maroon sweater and jeans.

Valani

Valani makes clothing for women who want a “fun, flirty, and beautiful wardrobe,” and they do so using plant-based fabrics. Everything in their collection is made with hemp, Tencel, and banana fibers.

Dreamy is the best word to describe Valani’s clothing line. Looking at their collection, it’s like their dresses are meant to be worn in a field of flowers! Their clothes are stylish and versatile enough to wear at work or on a casual day out.

The brand’s sustainability goes beyond its fabrics — Valani complies with Fair Trade working conditions, recycles leftover materials, and plants a tree for each purchase! Browse through their selection of sustainably made dresses, tops, and bottoms on their website.

Thought

Thought is a UK-based clothing brand that has sustainability as a core value. They use natural and sustainable fibers including hemp, organic cotton, and bamboo to create a wide range of products from clothes to accessories to footwear.

The company has been around since 1995, and from then to now, their unwavering commitment to environmental sustainability in their manufacturing process really shows how thoughtful they are.

You can find a wide variety of dresses, jumpsuits, and other styles in their hemp collection for women, while the men’s collection has tees, trousers, and long-sleeved shirts.

A woman in a sports bra and leggings made of hemp fabric

Jungmaven

Jungmaven seeks to bring hemp to the forefront of the fashion industry by creating high-quality hemp clothing. Driven by a strong advocacy to heal the planet, the brand raises awareness about the benefits of using hemp and how it reduces overall environmental impact.

At the moment, Jungmaven sources hemp from Fair Trade-compliant producers located overseas but eventually, they hope to bring hemp production to the US.

Shop at Jungmaven for stylish tees, shorts, and sweatshirts for your casual everyday look. Want to match with your kids? They have clothes in children’s sizes, too! And while you’re at it, check out their hemp beddings and other home accessories.

Patagonia

Known for their vocal stance on environmental impact and sustainability, it’s no surprise that Patagonia has incorporated hemp into their products.

The top clothing brand features work and outdoor gear in their hemp collection which includes shirts, jackets, and overalls for men and women. If you’re looking for something simple, functional, and made to last, then Patagonia’s hemp line would be perfect for you.

Aside from being Fair Trade certified, Patagonia is also a Certified B Corporation which means that it adheres to the highest standards of social and environmental responsibility.

I love how Patagonia encourages customers to be conscious about their purchases and promotes secondhand shopping. You see, their Worn Wear program allows you to trade in old clothing to be repaired and resold on their website.

Clothes made from hemp - a men's denim-looking jacket made of hemp cloth

WAMA Underwear

Because it’s naturally anti-bacterial, hemp fabric was chosen by WAMA Underwear as the perfect material to create underwear from. I mean, out of all the clothing we wear on a daily basis, it’s the undies that really have to be clean and safe for your skin.

So it’s a great thing that WAMA Underwear uses a blend of sustainably-sourced hemp and organic cotton for all of their clothing. This makes their hemp underwear a practical, comfortable, and eco-friendly choice for both men and women.

The best part — their sustainable underwear is affordable and designed for everyday wear! They even have an option to buy them in packs if you want a set or two.

faq

is hemp hypoallergenic?

Hemp is hypoallergenic and safe for sensitive skin. Because it’s a plant-based material, it’s safer and healthier than synthetic fabrics like polyester or nylon. Do note, however, that some clothes use a blend of hemp and other fibers, so make sure to check the manufacturer’s label for possible allergens.

how to wash hemp clothing?

Keep it gentle. You can hand-wash clothes made from hemp or machine-wash with natural detergent but do not use harsh cleaners like chlorinated bleach. Air-dry hemp clothes for best results. If you’re going to use a dryer, keep it on low heat. Also, keep in mind that hemp gets softer the more you wash it! Don’t be surprised when your clothes are even more comfortable after several washes.

what are the downsides to hemp fabric?

The biggest complaint people have with hemp is that it wrinkles easily, which can make washing, drying, and even storing complicated. It’s also less colorfast than cotton, so its colors aren’t as vibrant or bright. But in my opinion, the biggest downside is simply lack of awareness. People are unaware that this versatile fabric can be made into any number of stylish fashion items.

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