Bamboo Fabric 101: What Makes This Material Sustainable

Bamboo has long been associated with sustainability in the form of homewares and now, fabric. Learn more about this eco-conscious material and why designers go gaga over it.

We all know bamboo as a fast-growing crop used as a sustainable substitute for various homewares. Given its reputation as the ultimate eco-crop, designers and fashion brands refer to its characteristics for greener options in fiber. Many designers struggle to replace petrochemical-based synthetic fibers due to the price of plant-based fibers. So, let’s look at bamboo fabric and what sets it apart from other plant-based materials. Is this miracle grass as sustainable as people claim them to be?

What is Bamboo Fabric?

Historically speaking, bamboo has found many uses as a wonder grass that grows mainly in Asia. This plant became the go-to for paper production and, in recent times, homewares. During the apex of sustainability movements, people have turned from using plastic by purchasing bamboo products instead. From reusable items to flooring and accessories, bamboo became synonymous with the eco-conscious lifestyle.

As technology progress, so does our thirst for looking for more ways to utilize the bamboo pulp. Now, we use the same plant to craft fiber used to create yarn and fabric.

Is Bamboo Sustainable?

Generally, bamboo is incredibly sustainable. Under the right conditions, bamboo can grow incredibly fast. This means that you don’t have to use fertilizer to speed up its growth. Moreover, it self-generates from its roots, so you don’t have to replant it even after harvest.

Bamboo doesn’t require a large amount of water and pesticides to grow, unlike cotton. Moreover, a less demanding plant requires less labor. Bamboo is, without a doubt, one of the most sustainable plants in the market, and it deserves the notoriety it carries today.

The Process of Crafting Bamboo Fabric

Turning bamboo into fabric require various processes. Firstly, bamboo needs to be combed out into fibers and spun into thread. This results in bamboo linen, a material that’s a tad coarse. Creating bamboo linen requires a lot of labor, making it one of the most expensive fibers in the market. 

You might find other iterations of the bamboo fiber such as bamboo rayon. This is a lot more popular than linen due to its silky characteristics. It’s the perfect fabric for loungewear, undergarments, and beddings. Rayon undergoes chemical treatments before being spun into fibers. That said, the production of rayon has dramatically improved over the years. More and more manufacturers have found to treat and manage chemicals and waste that come from the production phase of this fabric.

As a result, bamboo rayon viscose fabric proves incredibly breathable. It’s also a lot stretchier than cotton, perfect for intimate garments and beddings. Not to mention, this type of bamboo fabric is a lot easier to weave to get a thin yet strong material used in dresses and bedsheets.

Bamboo Fabric on the Spotlight

Our collection boasts several bamboo garments that are truly lightweight and luxurious to the touch. These bamboo fabric must-haves are just as stunning as they’re sustainable.

Bamboo Wide Leg Jumpsuit

Let’s begin with the Bamboo Wide Leg Jumpsuit in eye-catching Henna. Get an instantly elegant look with this ultra-feminine jumpsuit. Perfect for any social affair, you can wear it not only by the beach but also in urban settings. Made from naturally-dyed bamboo crepe fabric, it features a flowy silhouette with a waist-low neckline, mirrored by an open back. The billowy sleeves and wide-legged shape of the jumpsuit create wonderful movement. Meanwhile, a tie subtly hugs the waist for a flattering silhouette.

Bamboo Button Down Maxi

Resort wear will never the same with the Bamboo Button Down Maxi. Made from 100% bamboo krinkle fabric, it’s a sustainable addition to your capsule wardrobe. It comes with a natural flow in a shade that comes from plant-based dyes. Show off your tan with its plunging neckline and let it embrace your feminine figure with its gathered waist design. It’s also subtly modest, with long sleeves and a hem that falls right at the ankles. Wear it as effortlessly elegant loungewear or a date-night look in the city or the tropics.

Bamboo Long Sleeve Crop and Side Slit Skirt

What we love about this set is that they’re perfect not only for dressier events but also for more casual lounging at the beach. The Long Sleeve Bamboo Crop and Side Slit Bamboo Skirt both come with soft lines that should feel luxurious against your new tan. Both made from 100% bamboo krinkle and tinted with plant-based dyes, it’s an ecological choice for an elegant and sultry look.

The top’s plunging neckline contrasts the voluminous sleeves. Meanwhile, the underbust band perfectly captures the natural contours of your body with ease. This seamlessly pairs with the side slit skirt for a set that exudes a classy allure. This high waist number comes with a fixed band as well as an invisible zip. Complete the look with minimal flats and accessories for your next resort getaway.

Ivory Bamboo Maxi

Finally, we present a versatile piece that is as elegant as it is minimal — the Ivory Bamboo Maxi. This relaxed number is perfect not only for dressy evenings but also for lounging in a luxury resort or boutique hotel. It features a deep V neckline and an open criss-cross back, perfect for your tan to stand out. Made from 100% bamboo satin, the dress also comes with a luxurious and graceful flow. This dress is the perfect inclusion to your eco-conscious wardrobe.

An Eco-Conscious Decision

Building an eco-conscious wardrobe can be a challenge. Any brand can quickly drop words such as “sustainable” and “eco-friendly”. However, only a few are genuinely transparent with how they source and manufacture materials. Over the years, manufacturers have been taking steps toward the right direction by improving transforming bamboo into fabric. So, if you want a fabric that’s a step up from polyester and cotton, bamboo fabric is a safe bet for you.