We’ve always thought of bamboo- when we’ve thought about bamboo at all– as the snack of adorable panda bears. Or else, a furniture material found in homes more “zen” or “beach-y” than our own.
So we were a little surprised when we read in the Guardian today that bamboo is the latest and greatest arrival on the eco-fashion scene. Every item of clothing- from jeans to t-shirts and beyond- can incorporate, or be made of entirely, this earth-friendly resource.
We want to be all for it- the material is bio-degradable and won’t feel any heavier than cotton. We especially love that our use of it for clothing would not deprive any pandas of their favorite food.
But are bamboo clothes really soft enough? The Guardian writes that it’s “similar in feel to silk or cashmere,” but we’re not so sure. We checked out some bed sheets at Target last weekend and cotton/bamboo blends were on sale. Intrigued, we unzipped a package to inspect the texture, which turned out to be too rough to consider buying, even on sale.
Are we being too picky, or is bamboo still a bit too scratchy for everyday wear?
–ALISON COOL
Tags: bamboo, eco-clothing, the Guardian
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The thread count for the Target sheets might have been low, so that’s why it could’ve been scratchy feeling. It really depends on how the sheets or shirts are made, the shirts are probably made under better conditions to make them into yarns that are smooth and drapeable so that they have a similar hand to cashmere or silk.
You can’t really compare the fabric used to make target sheets with the fabric used to make (probably more high-end) clothes, so I wouldn’t dismiss it just yet.
Can’t speak for the Target sheets, but bamboo clothing really does feel like a cross between good cotton (think James Perse cotton) and real silk. It’s especially awesome for drape-y shirts — my favorites right now are from Sworn Virgins.
I agree. The fabric used for bargain-priced sheets isn’t the same as the type you would wear. I own a pair of wonderful bamboo yoga pants and they are softer than any cotton pants I’ve ever felt!
The Target sheets are most likely a poor example – unless you have an extremely delicate touch. I have a T and some sock made of bamboo and, they’re no cashmere, but are super soft.
I work for a premium clothing company and do fashion sourcing – I gotta tell you, I LOVE bamboo! We use a cotton/bamboo blend denim and the drape of the pants is gorgeous, plus they are softer than any of our other denims… Don’t give up on bamboo because of Target!
Haha, I meant “fabric sourcing” not “fashion sourcing”, although I guess it’s a little of both!
Yeah, the sheets must have been a poor example indeed! I completely agree with Chartreuse Girl–so much so that I almost can’t go back to cotton. My favourites are from beau soleil, and I have a favourite wrap dress from samunderneath that beats my similarly-styled DvF dress with a stick.
if you’re still looking for super soft natural fiber sheets, i am in love with the beechwood sheets that bed bath and beyond sells. http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?order_num=-1&sku=102743
it looks like they’re sold out of anything bigger than a twin on the site but i’m sure you could find some at the store. seriously, go and feel. so so soft and comfy.
oh, also…bamboo’s not just for eco-fashion. eco-tech too – http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/bamboo-laptop/
though i guess you could consider that a functional accessory? it does look pretty.
Like any new miracle eco product, bamboo is not all that. First of all, it is not a fiber, it is actually bamboo rayon. It is processed exactly like wood pulp to make rayon, and that process is energy intensive. Secondly, due to its burgeoning popularity, whole tracts of virgin land are being deforested to be replanted with a bamboo monoculture.
If I’m going to go with an eco fabric, I’ll stick to linen or silk.
the bamboo fibers must have been woven or processed differently. Just like their are diffrent weaves and types of silks and cottns i bet that there are a large variety of bamboo weaves and fabrics.
Agreed with everyone – I have a wrap that is 100% bamboo and it’s like a soft filmy jersey. It does drape really well.
Before the Guardian article…..
http://search.ft.com/ftArticle?queryText=syl+tang&y=12&aje=true&x=12&id=070302000936&ct=0
FT REPORT – BUSINESS OF FASHION: The next big natural thing
By Syl Tang, Financial Times
Published: Mar 02, 2007