Each year, a staggering 100 billion or more items of clothing are made. Out of these, about 20% remain unsold, destined to join piles of discard. These fashion leftovers wriggle their way in to landfills, the incinerator or the shredder, with just a small proportion of clothes being recycled. Moreover, fast fashion is a highly polluting industry and often grapples with ethical issues, whether operating as sweatshops or exposing workers to dangerous conditions and exploitation.

Why Hemp Fabric?

Hemp is an eco-friendly crop. It requires no pesticides and needs little water, yet it renews the soil with each growth cycle. Its long roots prevent erosion and help retain topsoil. Hemp also grows readily in most temperate regions.

The fabric quality of hemp also transcends cotton on multiple levels. Firstly, it is lightweight and absorbent, with three times the tensile strength of cotton. It is also durable under different weather conditions as it is often championed for it’s UV and mould-resistant properties. Furthermore, it also keeps you warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer due to its optimal breathability. It has a longer ‘shelf’ life as colours absorb better on the fibre and it is more wash resistant. So for those of you are compulsive laundry do-er’s, your hemp outfits will stand a longer change in your wardrobe. Lastly, Hemp cloths “won’t” get you high while wearing it!

In the world of fashion, hemp is praised for its outstanding qualities. Although it is needless to say that a lot of us haven’t made that shift in our own personal wardrobes just as yet. Why? Well, the top three reasons are based on affordability, accessibility and style. Here are 6 stylish and affordable brands made from hemp.

1. Cannabie™

With sustainability at its core, Cannabie’ well-priced and durable menswear and womenswear is made from environmentally-friendly fabrics in ethical factories.

The company’s commitment to sustainability also extended to external facilities in its supply chain. Cannabie works with its suppliers to help them improve their sustainability profiles.

2. Daoism Act™

Break in to a sweat without guilt in Daoism Act’s soft activewear that’s made from eco-friendly hemp. They produce responsibly, maximize wear time with high-quality products and extend the life of your hemp clothes.

They use planet-friendly hemp fabric, best-practice working environments across the supply chain and even have a whole collection of clothing made from leftover fabric from previous collections.

3. Foxxy™

Foxxy’s effortlessly stylish silhouettes are perfect for the boardroom, while the company’s support of women’s rights and multi-faceted approach to environmental and social issues make it a true leader.

Their exquisite range of Western Hemp Apparel includes jeans, jackets, skirts tops and dresses, all made from Hemp.

4. Hempkari™

From the streets of Lucknow, Hempkari brings an exquisite range of hemp clothing with a traditional Indian twist. They are weaving a new fashion trend by blending traditional Lucknavi Chikan Kari with hemp fabric to create a limited range of Indianised apparels. With intrinsic handiwork and beautiful designs, Hempkari is adding a touch of sustainability to our wardrobes.

5. Hemploom™

Started in 2020, is India’s first sustainable handloom brand that manufactures a wide selection of collectibles using the Hemp fabric.

Manufacture 100% biodegradable products with 0% THC, using the sustainable fiber that is procured from the magical plant. Apart from its many benefits to the environment and the rich cultural value, it is a great boon to the textile industry.

6. Rumaal™

Rumaal is a sustainable and ethical brand that manufactures printed Hemp Handkerchiefs, focusing all their efforts on sourcing responsibly and locally, trading fairly and manufacturing ethically.

Each Rumaal is handcrafted with a lot of love and perfection using this ancient Indian printing technique and has its own unique charm. Handkerchief made out of hemp fabric is lightweight, absorbent and antimicrobial.