Natural fabrics are top of women’s searches when they are looking for quality fashion. After all, natural fabrics offer so many benefits, and can also be affordable, so what’s not to love?
Linen, cotton and silk are particularly adored by Australian women who enjoy the benefits of wearing natural fibres, which is why Femme Connection stocks a range of stylish, linen garments, cotton tops and dresses, and silk blend garments in our collections.
Let’s look at why women’s fashion that uses natural fabrics is so desirable right now, and which natural-fibre garments you absolutely must have in your wardrobe this season!
What’s a “natural” fabric?
A natural fabric is essentially anything that doesn’t use synthetic fibres made from petroleum-based products. Examples of natural fabrics include linen, hemp, silk, cotton, wool and animal fur. Viscose and bamboo fabrics may also fit under the “natural fabric” banner, although they’re regarded more often as “semi-synthethic” fabrics, as chemical processes are often used to create them.
Polyester, elastane, spandex, nylon and acrylic are all synthetic fabrics, although they’re often mixed in with natural fibres to give garments more stretch.
The benefits of wearing natural fabrics
There are a range of benefits to choosing natural fabrics over synthetic ones. These include:
Durability: Natural fabrics tend to be long-lasting, provided they’re well cared for. A linen shirt, silk top or cotton dress can last you for many seasons.
Good for sensitive skin: If you have skin sensitivities, fabrics like linen, silk and cotton can be your friend. Cotton and silk are particularly soft, and linen gets softer the more you wear it. These fabrics are also considered hypoallergenic, as their natural fibres don’t contain chemicals that trigger allergic reactions. In addition, they tend to be minimally processed, so that’s a further reduction in chemical use. (If you’re particularly sensitive, look for light-coloured cotton, silk or linen garments, without synthetic dyes.)
Breathability: Linen, silk and cotton garments are naturally breathable. Their fibres are naturally porous and loosely woven, which allows air to flow through the fabric while wicking moisture away from the skin. This helps regulate temperature and keeps the body cool and dry in warm weather.
Antibacterial: Linen and silk both contain properties that inhibit the growth of bacteria and fungi. Cotton’s natural fibres are less likely to harbour bacteria compared with synthetic fabrics, especially when kept clean and dry.
Moisture absorption: Ever worn a synthetic top on a hot day? The fabric gets moist and clings to your body. It’s far from comfortable. Cotton, linen and silk, on the other hand, absorb perspiration and draw moisture away from the skin (this is known as moisture wicking). Wearing these fabrics in summer will ensure you stay comfortable and dry out quickly.
Thermoregulating: Linen and silk are both thermoregulating, meaning these fabrics keep you warmer in cold weather and cooler in summer heat.
Biodegradable: Linen (from the flax plant), cotton (the cotton plant) and silk (from silk worms) are biodegradable fibres. 100% pure linen, silk and cotton garments naturally break down at the end of their life, which can’t be said for synthetic fibres. This means you aren’t leaving any nasties behind.
Natural Fabric Styling Tips
When you’re seeking versatility in terms of styling, natural fabrics are the answer. For example, wearing a natural linen dress in summer is an easy option that looks stylish and keeps you comfortable. You don’t need to match a top and bottoms, and just need simple summer footwear (sandals, wedges, canvas sneakers), a tote bag, hat, and minimal accessories.
Linen shirts are also great to pair with wide-leg summer linen pants or over the top of a cotton t-shirt.
A silk-blend top is a great option when you're looking for a nice top to wear to work or a special event. Wear with a cotton skirt or tucked into linen tailored pants, and layer a linen blazer over the top for a polished look.
And our hip, graphic cotton t-shirts also fall into the category of comfortable women’s tops made from natural materials. Simply wear with jeans or shorts for an easy, relaxed look.
Tip: Natural fabrics lend themselves to similarly natural colours. This means they will look great in neutral shades like white, olive, beige, and soft pastels. But you can certainly opt for more vibrant colours or subtle prints if you desire more colour in your ensemble.
Find Popular Natural Fabrics at Femme Connection
We’ve put together some gorgeous women’s tops in natural fabrics in Femme Connection’s collection. Options include cotton, linen and silk-blend women’s tops, linen/viscose pants and 100% natural linen dresses. We also stock cotton t-shirts for comfortable casual wear, plus silk tops for elegant occasions. All of these fabrics are perfect for spring and summer wear, but can be worn all year round.
Femme Connection Natural Fabric Women’s Fashion
Linen, cotton and silk are, undoubtedly, desired fabrics in women’s fashion in Australia. So we ensure you have a good supply of each in our ladies’ fashion collections. We also have plant-derived viscose garments that are lightweight and breathable options for wear in the warm seasons. So if you’re looking for lightweight and breathable tops, pants, and summer dresses in natural fabrics, explore our collections!
Find natural fabric fashion right here at Femme Connection, including 100% linen tops, linen pants and linen dresses, as well as linen/viscose blends, silk/viscose blends, and cotton women’s tops. With a wide range of ladies sizes, and free Australia-wide shipping for purchases over $75, there’s every reason to shop for natural clothing with us!