Many people are becoming aware of the differences between natural fibers and synthetic fibers. Natural fibers have a beautiful hand feel. They breathe with your body instead of trapping warmth. At Marree, every single piece we make is intentionally crafted from natural fibers — and once you understand why, you'll feel it too. Let's dive in.
What Are Natural Fibers?
Natural fibers come from the natural world — grown from plants or grown by animals. Think linen, cotton, hemp, silk, wool, cashmere, alpaca. Humans have been spinning, weaving, and wearing these fibers for millennia. The ancient Egyptians wrapped their mummies in linen. They are, quite literally, in our history.
Hierogliphic of an Egyptian Ground Loom. Photo credit: Penn State University
What Are Synthetic Fibers?
Synthetic fibers are a much newer invention. Polyester, nylon, and acrylic are created from fossil fuels — essentially, they are plastic, first developed in the 1940s. They're less than a century old, compared to the thousands of years natural fibers have clothed us.
Microscopic view of natural and synthetic fibers. Photo credit: Penn State University
How Do Natural Fibers vs. Synthetic Fibers Feel on Your Body?
Natural fibers are comforting because they naturally hold air. That's what makes them breathable — and that breathability is what makes them so comfortable to actually live in. Take a look at the photo above. You can see the varying texture that natural fibers have. This is how they hold air, next to your skin, becoming temperature regulating for you. When you're cold, they warm you. When you're hot, they cool you down. Animal fibers such as wool, alpaca, cashmere and silk, in particular, are remarkably good at regulating your body temperature in both directions. Plant fibers such as cotton, linen and hemp drape beautifully holding their shape and are breathable around your body.
Polyester and other synthetics work differently. Because the fiber itself is essentially solid plastic, it traps moisture and heat against your skin instead of releasing heat. That warm, damp, trapped environment is exactly what bad microbes love — which is a big part of why synthetic clothing tends to hold onto body odor so much more stubbornly than natural fiber does. It's a bit like wearing a trash bag.
Your Closet and Your Budget
Natural fibers are more durable. They wash well, they wear for years, and they soften beautifully over time — that lived-in look that only gets better with age. You'll find yourself reaching for your natural fiber pieces again and again, simply because they make you feel good and look good.
Photo: Model wearing a silk dress that moves and flows with her.
Synthetic fibers, on the other hand, tend to break down faster. They lose their shape, fade in color, and start pilling after just a handful of washes. When you calculate cost per wear — the true cost of a garment divided by how many times you actually wear it — natural fibers almost always come out ahead. Quality that lasts is, in the long run, the more budget-friendly choice.
Connection to Planet, Plants, Animals, Designer, and You
Natural fibers are biodegradable. Synthetic fibers are not — they persist for decades, sometimes centuries.
Photo: Jenny sewing cotton fabric.
As a designer, Jenny loves working with natural fibers for the way they feel in her hands. She feels the connection — the softness, the drape, the way a fabric moves before it's even cut. That joy and intention go into every single piece Marree makes. When you wear something made from natural fiber, you're wearing a small piece of that care.
What to Do Going Forward
Start by shifting your mindset away from fast fashion, one purchase at a time. The next time you shop, flip the garment over and look at the care label. Ask yourself:
- What is the fiber content?
- Is the natural fiber blended with synthetic fiber?
- Can this be washed at home?
Most natural fiber pieces — including high-quality silk — can be machine washed on a cool, gentle cycle and either tumble dried on low or line dried. Use a laundry bag for delicate pieces like silk to give them extra protection in the wash.
Small shifts like these add up. Choosing natural fibers isn't just a style choice — it's a choice that touches your comfort, your closet, your budget, and the planet all at once.
Resources:
Microscopic Fibers
https://exhibitions.psu.edu/s/flax/item/4861
Egyptian Ground Loom
https://exhibitions.psu.edu/s/flax/item/4881
