We’re keen fibre fanatics and whilst we do use small percentages of synthetics such as nylon, we remain die hard natural fibre fans.

New Zealand Natural Clothing is centred on using the resources from New Zealand to create high quality garments, socks and accessories that:

• Are responsibility made
• Contribute positively to our sustainability
• Make our customers happy

There are advantages and disadvantages of natural fibres just like there are for synthetic fibres. Today we’re looking specifically at natural fibres.

We are giving you the good and the not so good so you have all the information you need to decide whether natural fibres are for you.

Natural fibre is woven or knitted from fibres that we find in our natural world.

Animals, vegetables and minerals produce fibres that we can use in fabric production.

We typically use animal fibres such as:

• Merino
• Possum
• Sheep wool
• Silk
• Alpaca
• Lambswool

Natural fibres are our top choice but they do have their disadvantages that you should be aware of. We'll start with the advantages and then look into the disadvantages of natural fibres.

We are massive advocates of natural fibres and would happily live in natural clothing year round. Here are some of the reasons why.

Natural fibres are super comfortable. We always use the finest quality which makes for soft, luxurious garments.

For example, possum fibre is hollow so it’s lightweight which makes for easy wearing all year round.

Natural fibres don’t need the chemical treatment from large factories that use a lot of fossil fuels.

They are also biodegradable!

And a lot of natural fibres don’t need to be washed as frequently which has a long term impact on the ecosystem.

For example, Merino puts less stress on the environment because it’s biodegradable.

Most natural fibres are low or non allergenic. This means that for those of us with sensitive skin won’t be irritated by the natural fibre.

Merino wool for example is low allergenic. Research shows that superfine merino wool significantly improves the symptoms of eczema due to the ability Merino has to absorb moisture. This article from the Medical Press makes for interesting reading and talks about how merino makes for a much more comfortable relationship between skin and garment for kids with eczema.

If you take care of your natural fibre products they will treat you well.

Sheep wool is really durable particularly if you’re out facing the elements a lot. When Natural fibre is taken care of it can easily last you a lifetime.

Natural fibres are pretty special in that they can wick moisture away from your skin which means that if you have a sweat on from working out, working on the farm or every day activities, it gets whipped away so you don’t get too hot or too cold.

This in turn helps regulate your body temperature, stops sweat from smelling and keeps you at optimum comfort.

What’s not to love?

Merino wool is exceptional at wicking moisture away from the body. We use 18-20 micron for our baselayers!

The natural fibre we use comes predominantly from animals so the protections they have in place transfer when we utilise the fibre for our clothing.

Alpaca is naturally water repellent and is hard to set on fire. A natural protetor for alpacas, an advantage for our clothing!

More and more people want to know how their clothes are made, where their food comes from and whether what they’re purchasing was produced responsibly.

Swanndri is a sustainable and locally sourced option but the manufacturing happens abroad. We have a very open relationship with our suppliers and we know that there are strict conditions in place. We ensure this at all times for our customers and to align with our ethical production standards.

Whilst there are multiple reasons to choose natural fibres, there are disadvantages to be aware of which we will tackle here.

Natural fibres are more expensive than synthetic fibres because they have a more sustainable process, they last longer and they’re much better quality.

When you buy an item of natural clothing you really are investing in it - it isn’t something you wear for a season and then sideline.

You can’t just throw your natural fibre garment on a quick wash and then into the tumble dryer because the risk of shrinkage is much higher than a synthetic item.

Natural fibre clothing needs special care and it’s always important to follow the care instructions to the letter to protect your clothing.

When you buy natural fibre clothing make sure to check the quality either by the micron or the touch.

There can be a variation in the micron of the fibre which can be misleading. You might buy a merino wool sweater only to find it not as soft as you believe it would be because the fibre wasn’t the finest wool.

Moths are natural fibres biggest enemy. They can destroy natural fibres overnight if given half the chance.

How you store your natural fibre clothing is really important so that you protect it from meddling moths!

You could use vacuum sealing, ziplock bags, or plastic containers with airtight lids to store your wool garments to protect them.

If you would like extra protection you can use moth balls too. But it is something you need to do!

As a natural clothing store we are natural fibre fanatics as it’s clear to see. It’s important to do your research and know both the advantages and disadvantages of what you’re planning to invest in and whether it works for your lifestyle.

We’re always here to help if you have questions and we love meeting you in store too.