Ramie is probably the least-known fiber on this list, which is strange given it's been in continuous use for thousands of years — literally since ancient Egypt.
Where does ramie come from?
Ramie comes from the stalk of a nettle-like plant and is one of the oldest fibers used by humans, with a history stretching back thousands of years — famously used for ancient Egyptian mummy cloth.
What makes ramie worth knowing about today?
Ramie is one of the strongest natural fibers available, and like cotton, it actually gets stronger when wet rather than weaker. It resists bacteria and mildew naturally, holds its shape well without much stretching or shrinking, and carries a slight natural sheen — which is why it's often blended with cotton or linen for added strength.
We don't currently carry ramie pieces, but we wanted this guide to exist because it comes up constantly when people ask us about natural fibers in general. See how it compares to the fibers we do carry — linen, organic cotton, hemp, cashmere, and alpaca — in the Natural Fibers 101 guide, and if you want the washing and storage specifics for a piece you already own, the interactive fiber care guide covers it too.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ramie similar to linen?
Yes — ramie is often compared to linen because both are strong, plant-based bast fibers with a crisp hand and a bit of natural sheen.
Is ramie usually used alone or blended?
Ramie is frequently blended with cotton or linen, which adds strength and a subtle luster to the finished fabric.
Does ramie wrinkle like linen?
Ramie tends to hold its shape and resist wrinkling somewhat better than linen, thanks to its fiber structure, though it shares linen's crisp hand-feel.
