Fast fashion may be common in today’s era, but it certainly isn’t sustainable or ethical.
All the fast fashion brands make their clothing with cheap labor costs, which endangers the rights of their workers.
Keeping this in mind, consumers are looking for something that is sustainable and follows all ethical rules.
That is why hemp clothing is becoming more in style since it is one of the most sustainable fashion conceptions currently in trend.
Manufacturers are growing hemp in an environment that is organic, free of fertilizers and other harmful pesticides.
People also consider hemp as one of the most eco-friendly options when it comes to fashion and apparel.
Although hemp clothing is environmentally friendly and sustainable, the real question is, why is it so expensive?
Shouldn’t something that’s eco-friendly be friendlier on the pocket as well?
To look at why hemp clothing is expensive, we have to see how it is made.
How is Hemp Clothing Made?
Hemp is manufactured from the stem of the Cannabis sativa plant.
The Cannabis Sativa plant is known to be the source of the most sustainable and durable textiles.
The farmers produce the hemp plant from the stem, and all the harmful chemicals are reduced, which in turn makes the fabric strong.
The yarn that is spun from this fabric is durable and thick, which makes it excellent for being used for environmentally friendly clothes.
The fabric that comes out of the hemp textile is soft and gives off a familiar sensation to the cotton fabric, but unlike cotton, it can last twice as long.
The fabric is naturally dye-absorbent, and it is light and airy, making it perfect for people who live in hot climates.
Unlike cotton, which shrinks when put into water, this material is shrink resistant and will not tighten when you wash it.
Uses of Hemp Fabric
Hemp fabric is versatile and can be used in many different ways.
Since hemp fabric is safe and natural, people manufacture different items ranging from bags and shoes to even paper.
The apparel that is made using this fabric is organic and long-lasting.
Since the dyeing procedure of this fabric is easy, manufacturers can dye the fabric in a variety of different colors so that the products appeal to people of all ages.
This fabric is soft and comfortable, and it is also helpful in protecting our skin against harmful UV rays.
The shoes that are made from this material are sturdy and will last you up to 10+ years.
Leather is made by harming animals, and plastic disturbs our ecosystem, which causes global warming.
As an alternative, hemp material poses no environmental threat, nor does it promote animal cruelty.
The plant also grows in mass quantities, which in turn adds up to its sustainability.
Why is Hemp Clothing so Expensive?
Hemp can work as the perfect alternative to producing apparel without any risks, but that is not the reason for it being costly.
Many factors promote the cost of hemp fabric. Some of those factors are:
1. Low production rate of hemp fabric
The textiles for hemp clothes are made from organic fibers that are extracted from the plants.
Since the plant needs a specific type of environment and soil to grow, it is not produced worldwide.
The largest producers of this fabric are in Korea, Italy, and China.
The production rate of this fabric is low, and the industry that finishes the textile is even lower.
Since the production rate is low, the cost increases.
2. Organic fabric
Manufacturers produce the fabric with organic and natural fibers that grow in a safe environment.
The material also grows fast compared to other fabrics and uses less water and land.
Before selling organic hemp, suppliers must provide a certificate stating that they used only natural environmental practices and that no chemicals were used.
This increases the quality of the fabric and gains the trust of customers.
However, the increased quality of the fabric means that the cost of the fabric also increases significantly.
For this reason, this fabric is not as commonly used as cotton or other textiles in the fashion industry.
3. High demand for cotton
Although hemp is an eco-friendly and sustainable fabric choice, people still prefer cotton when it comes to clothing.
Cotton is also cheap compared to hemp. This increases the demand for cotton and automatically decreases the demand for hemp.
Despite its obvious advantages, hemp fabric is still treated as the second choice when compared to cotton.
Since the demand for hemp is not great, the prices will increase.
4. Low consumer rate
The production rate of hemp is low, and the consumption rate is even lower.
For the prices of hemp clothing to decrease, both supply and demand must be high, but since neither is increasing, the cost of this fabric stays up.
If the demand for hemp clothing increases, the cost will also decrease.
Hemp might be costly, but it is a great alternative to producing high-quality clothing without harming our environment.
