Natural Fibers 101

A Whole World of Natural Materials

Choosing natural doesn't mean choosing less. Plant and animal fibers span everything from everyday basics to lifelong luxury pieces. Here's the range the natural world has to offer.

Linen
Organic Cotton
Hemp
Cashmere
Alpaca
Wool
Silk
Jute
Ramie
Mohair
Angora
Merino Wool
Camel
Feathers & Down
Leather
Boar Hair

What Are Natural Fibers?

Natural fibers come from plants or animals rather than a lab: cotton and linen grown from the ground, cashmere and alpaca combed or sheared from animals. Because they're grown or raised instead of synthesized, they tend to breathe better against your skin, feel different from the first wear, and break down naturally instead of sitting in a landfill for centuries.

See the Fibers We Use

How Do I Care For Natural Fibers?

Caring for natural fibers really comes down to two things: a little more attention, and a little less heat. Most do best with cooler washes, air drying, and proper storage to keep moths and pests away. It's a small trade-off for something that actually lasts, and we've put together a full guide so you're never guessing.

View the Fiber Care Guide

Linen

Sturdy, breathable, and gets better with age.

Gets softer with every wash
Naturally moisture-wicking
Resists bacteria & odor
Stronger than cotton

Linen is spun from the flax plant and is one of the oldest textiles in human history, worn for thousands of years. Flax fiber is naturally stronger than cotton, highly breathable, and can absorb nearly a fifth of its own weight in moisture before it ever feels damp against your skin, part of why it's prized in hot, humid climates. It also resists bacteria and odor naturally, and unlike most fabrics, linen actually gets softer and more absorbent with every wash. The more you use it, the better it gets: a rare textile that rewards daily life instead of demanding to be babied. Our linen is Italian linen, made in Italy.

Why does linen wrinkle?

Linen fibers are long and stiff, so the fabric creases easily. Wrinkles are normal and part of how linen looks. It also gets softer the more you wash it.

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Cashmere

Luxuriously soft, but delicate: treat it gently and it'll last decades.

Finer & lighter than wool
Remarkably warm for its weight
Breathable enough for indoors
Lasts decades with care

True cashmere comes from the soft undercoat combed, never shorn, from goats that endure brutally cold winters at high altitude, which is exactly what makes the fiber so insulating. Each goat yields only a small amount of usable down each year, part of why genuine cashmere is prized rather than mass-produced. Fiber for fiber, it's finer and lighter than sheep's wool, yet remarkably warm, and breathable enough to wear comfortably indoors. Our cashmere was 100% Himalayan cashmere, hand-combed from Chyangra goats and knit by artisans in Nepal. Pilling is normal, not a flaw: a gentle cashmere comb removes it easily without damaging the fabric, and with proper care a cashmere piece can easily outlast a decade of wear.

Hemp

Tough, breathable, and one of the most sustainable fibers out there.

One of the strongest natural fibers
Naturally antimicrobial
UV-resistant
Improves soil as it grows

Hemp is one of the strongest natural fibers in existence: historically the fiber of choice for ropes and sails because it could take a beating and keep performing. It requires significantly less water to grow than cotton, typically needs little to no pesticide, and actually improves soil health as it grows by replenishing nutrients: it's one of the few fabrics that gives back to the land it comes from. It's also naturally antimicrobial and UV-resistant, resisting odor buildup and sun damage better than most fabrics, and like linen, it tends to soften with every wash rather than wear out.

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Organic Cotton

Soft, breathable, and grown without the synthetic pesticides conventional cotton relies on.

Gets stronger when wet
Highly breathable
Grown without synthetic pesticides
Gentle on sensitive skin

Cotton is one of the most breathable natural fibers around, and unlike most materials, it actually gets stronger when wet rather than weaker, part of why it holds up so well to regular washing. It's highly absorbent, fully biodegradable, and gentle enough that it's often the first fabric recommended for sensitive skin. Choosing organic specifically means no synthetic pesticides or fertilizers in the growing process: better for the farmland, the farmers growing it, and what ends up against your skin.

Why Organic Cotton, Not Conventional?

Conventional cotton is one of the most pesticide- and water-intensive crops grown anywhere, despite covering a relatively small share of global farmland. Organic cotton is grown from non-GMO seed without synthetic pesticides or fertilizers, using methods that build soil health instead of depleting it. For something that sits against your skin, or your child's, all day, that difference isn't a marketing detail. It's the whole point.

Why isn't cotton stretchy?

Cotton itself does not stretch. When a piece has stretch, it has a small amount of elastic in it. We name it on the product page.

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Alpaca

Softer and lighter than wool, with exceptional warmth.

Warmer than wool
Lighter in weight
Hypoallergenic & lanolin-free
Comes in natural colors
Gentle on grazing land

Alpaca fiber is lighter than wool yet noticeably warmer for its weight, with a silky hand that comes from the fiber's smoother surface structure. It's also hypoallergenic and lanolin-free (unlike sheep's wool), making it a great option for people who find traditional wool itchy or irritating. Alpacas themselves are gentle on the land they graze. Their padded feet don't tear up pasture the way hooved animals can, and because the fiber comes in a range of natural colors, it often needs less dyeing to begin with.

Pilling is normal

Every sweater pills where it rubs, like under the arms and at the cuffs. Take the pills off with a sweater comb or a fabric shaver. It takes about 30 seconds.

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Wool

Warm, naturally odor-resistant, and one of the most recycled fibers in the world.

Insulates even when damp
Naturally flame-resistant
Resists odor long-term
Renewable every year

Wool comes from sheep and has a natural crimp that traps air for insulation, keeping you warm even when it's damp. It can absorb a significant amount of moisture before it ever feels wet to the touch. It's also naturally flame-resistant, resists odor far longer than synthetic alternatives, and is fully biodegradable at the end of its life. Because sheep regrow their fleece every year, wool is a renewable fiber by nature rather than a one-time harvest.

Why no superwash?

Superwash wool is treated so it can go in the washing machine. The treatment usually strips the wool's outer scales with chlorine, then adds a thin polymer coating, a kind of plastic. We skip it, so you get wool with nothing added. The trade is that you wash it by hand and lay it flat to dry.

Silk

Lightweight, naturally lustrous, and surprisingly strong for how delicate it feels.

Naturally hypoallergenic
Resists dust mites
Wicks moisture from skin
Temperature-regulating

Silk is produced by silkworms spinning cocoons, then carefully unwound into one of the strongest natural fibers by weight, despite how delicate it feels. Its signature shine comes from the fiber's unique triangular structure, which reflects light at different angles like a prism. Silk is also naturally hypoallergenic, resistant to dust mites, and surprisingly good at wicking moisture away from skin. It regulates temperature well, feeling cool in summer and warm in winter, though it typically asks for gentler care than sturdier fibers.

Why Mulberry Silk Specifically?

Not all silk is created equal. Mulberry silk comes from silkworms raised exclusively on mulberry leaves in controlled, farmed conditions, producing a single continuous, incredibly fine filament that can stretch over 1,000 meters from one cocoon. That uniformity is what gives mulberry silk its signature smoothness, bright natural luster, and even weave, compared to wild silks like tussah, eri, or muga, which are gathered after the moth has already emerged and broken the cocoon, resulting in shorter, coarser, more irregular fibers. It's considered the gold standard of silk for a reason.

Jute

A coarse, fast-growing plant fiber best known for rugs, baskets, and home textiles.

Fast-growing & biodegradable
Absorbs CO2 as it grows
Exceptional tensile strength
Needs little water or pesticide

Jute is the second most-produced natural fiber in the world after cotton, and for good reason: it's one of the fastest-growing plants used for textiles, often ready to harvest in just four to six months. The plants absorb a notable amount of carbon dioxide as they grow, and the fiber itself is fully biodegradable and requires little water or pesticide to produce. Its natural tensile strength has made it a go-to for sacks, rope, and rugs for centuries, and its coarser texture makes it a natural fit for home goods rather than clothing worn against skin.

Ramie

A plant fiber similar to linen, valued for its strength and natural shine.

Gets stronger when wet
Resists bacteria & mildew
Holds shape
Resists shrinking
Thousands of years of proven use

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. It's also one of the strongest natural fibers available, and like cotton, it actually gets stronger when wet rather than weaker. Ramie resists bacteria and mildew naturally, holds its shape well without much stretching or shrinking, and carries a slight natural sheen, often blended with cotton or linen for added strength.

Mohair

A fuzzy, lustrous fiber from Angora goats, prized for warmth without heaviness.

High natural shine
Resists felting & matting
Naturally elastic
Takes dye vividly

Mohair is sheared from Angora goats and owes its signature halo and high shine to a smoother, less scaly fiber structure than sheep's wool, which is also part of why it resists felting and tends to feel less itchy against skin. It's highly durable, naturally elastic, and resists matting far better than many other animal fibers, all while providing real warmth without heaviness. Because of its sheen, mohair also takes dye exceptionally well, producing richer, more vivid color than most other natural fibers.

Angora

Ultra-fine and fluffy, with a halo effect even softer than cashmere.

Exceptionally lightweight
Superior warmth for its weight
Hollow fiber traps more heat
Signature fluffy halo

Angora comes from the coat of Angora rabbits, not to be confused with mohair, which comes from Angora goats, and is one of the finest, lightest natural fibers used in textiles. It's often compared to cashmere for softness, but with an even fluffier halo effect. Because the fiber is hollow at its core, it traps an exceptional amount of warm air relative to its weight, making it remarkably insulating without feeling heavy. It's typically blended with wool or other fibers for added strength, since on its own it can be delicate.

Merino Wool

The gold standard of wool: finer, softer, and far less itchy than standard wool.

Exceptionally fine
Non-itchy fibers
Naturally temperature-regulating
Resists odor for days
Moisture-wicking performance

Merino wool comes from Merino sheep, prized for producing some of the finest wool fibers of any breed: fine enough that most people who find regular wool itchy don't react to it the same way. It's naturally temperature-regulating, keeping you warm in the cold and cool when it's hot, and it wicks moisture while resisting odor for days of wear, which is part of why it's become the go-to wool for performance and travel clothing.

Camel

Lightweight insulation from the fine undercoat of Bactrian camels.

Naturally insulating without bulk
Lightweight for its warmth
Durable & long-lasting
Often left undyed in its natural tone

Camel hair comes from the soft undercoat of Bactrian camels, combed out during their molting season rather than shorn, similar to how cashmere is harvested. It's prized for being remarkably warm without much weight, and it's often left in its natural camel-toned color rather than dyed, since the fiber takes dye poorly compared to other animal fibers. Camels shed this undercoat naturally each year, making it a renewable fiber much like wool.

Feathers & Down

Nature's original insulation: lightweight, compressible, and remarkably warm.

Exceptional warmth-to-weight ratio
Highly compressible
Renewable (birds molt naturally)
Can last decades with care

Down refers to the soft, fluffy clusters found beneath a bird's outer feathers, most commonly from geese or ducks, and it's one of the most efficient natural insulators known, trapping warm air in thousands of tiny pockets. Unlike woven fibers, down isn't spun into thread at all; it's used as loose fill in things like pillows, comforters, and jackets. Quality down can last for decades with proper care, though it loses its loft, and insulating power, if it gets wet without a chance to fully dry and fluff back out.

Leather

Not technically a fiber, but a natural material that ages beautifully with the right care.

Gets better with age (not worse)
Naturally durable
Breathable & flexible
Develops a unique patina

Leather isn't woven or spun like a textile fiber: it's a tanned animal hide, which is why it behaves so differently from everything else on this page. Properly cared for, leather actually improves with use: the patina that develops over years of handling is part of what makes a piece unique, not a sign of wear to avoid. It's naturally breathable, flexible, and far more durable than most synthetic alternatives marketed as "vegan leather," which are typically plastic-based and don't hold up nearly as long.

Boar Hair

Natural, plastic-free bristles with a taper built right in.

Firm enough to exfoliate
No synthetic fill
Holds its shape over time
Traditional standard for body brushes

The bristles on our dry brush are natural boar hair, not synthetic fill, set in a bamboo handle with a cotton rope tie for hanging. No plastic anywhere on the brush. Boar bristles have a natural taper, firmer at the base, softer toward the tip, that most synthetic fibers can't replicate, which is why it's the traditional standard for body brushes: firm enough to exfoliate and stimulate circulation without being harsh on skin, and it holds its shape far longer than plastic bristles do.

Shop the Dry Brush Boar Hair

Charcoal knit sweater draped over a chair

Why Isn't Everything 100% Natural?

A few pieces, our alpaca socks, for example, include a small amount of nylon or elastane for structure. Without it, a sock has no way to stay up short of tying it around your calf, and we've yet to meet a customer who wants that. We keep these amounts as minimal as possible. In our alpaca socks, the nylon is on the outside for structure and durability, and a small strip of elastane is embedded in the top band.

Odd & Lesser-Known Natural Fibers

These rarely show up in a typical closet or home, but they're still genuinely natural fibers, some ancient, some nearly extinct commercially, all worth knowing exist.

Plant (Cellulose) Fibers

Seed & Fruit

Kapok: Silky seed-pod fluff, used mainly for pillow and life-vest filling.
Coir (Coconut): Coarse husk fiber, prized for doormats, brushes, and rope.

Bast (Stem)

Kenaf: A jute relative, used in rope, paper, and coarser textiles.
Nettle: Yes, that nettle, its stem fibers spin much like flax.
Banana-Stem Fiber: Pulled from banana plant stems, woven into rope and textiles across Asia.
Bamboo (True Bast): Mechanically processed bamboo fiber, not the chemically processed "bamboo viscose" above.

Leaf

Sisal: A stiff, durable fiber best known for rope, rugs, and twine.
Abaca (Manila Hemp): Exceptional strength, historically used for ship rope.
Pineapple (Piña): Fine leaf fiber woven into a lightweight, lustrous fabric in the Philippines.
Henequen: A coarse agave relative used for rope and twine.
New Zealand Flax (Harakeke): Not true flax, a strong leaf fiber woven traditionally in New Zealand.
Agave: A tough leaf fiber sometimes called "vegetable silk."

Grass & Other

Raffia: A soft, flexible palm fiber common in basketry and natural ties.
Rattan: A stiff, climbing palm fiber, more furniture than textile.
Seagrass: Coarse and water-resistant, used for rugs, baskets, and mats.
Straw: Dried cereal stalks, woven into hats, baskets, and mats for centuries.
Cork: Technically bark, not fiber, but a renewable material occasionally used in textiles.

Animal (Protein) Fibers

Hair & Wool

More Wool Breeds (Shetland, Romney & Others): Beyond Merino, different sheep breeds produce distinctly different textures.
Llama: A cousin to alpaca, slightly coarser but still warm and lightweight.
Yak: Down combed from high-altitude yaks, prized for cashmere-like warmth.
Qiviut (Muskox): One of the warmest fibers known, extremely rare and expensive.
Vicuña: An extremely rare wild camelid fiber, among the most expensive in the world.
Guanaco: A wild relative of alpaca and llama, valued for its soft undercoat.
Horsehair: Coarse and stiff, traditionally used in upholstery, not worn against skin.
Bison / Buffalo Down: A soft, naturally shed undercoat gaining attention as a byproduct fiber.

Secretion & Other

Wild Silks (Tussah, Eri, Muga): Gathered after the moth emerges, giving a coarser, more textured, tan-toned silk.
Spider Silk: Exceptionally strong and elastic, but nearly impossible to farm at commercial scale.
Byssus (Sea Silk): An extraordinarily rare mollusk fiber, essentially unavailable commercially today.

Not Natural Fibers, Despite Sounding Like Them

Rayon, viscose, modal, lyocell (Tencel), bamboo viscose, and cupro all start with plant cellulose, but they're chemically processed into fiber rather than simply spun from it, which is why they're called "regenerated" or "semi-synthetic" fibers. Acetate falls into the same category. None of these are inherently bad, but they're a different thing than a true natural fiber, and worth knowing the difference when you're reading a label. Plant-based plastics belong on this list too: they start with plants but end up as plastic.

Rayon

Made by dissolving wood pulp in chemicals, then extruding it into fiber. Soft and drapey, but the production process is chemically intensive compared to a fiber that stays close to its natural form.

Viscose

The most common type of rayon, made using carbon disulfide and other solvents that break plant cellulose down into a pulp before it's re-spun into fiber.

Modal

A refined version of rayon known for being softer and more durable, but it goes through the same wood-pulp-to-chemical-solution process as viscose.

Lyocell / Tencel

Also wood-pulp-based, but made with a closed-loop solvent process that recycles most of the chemicals used, a meaningfully cleaner version of the same regenerated-fiber family.

Bamboo Viscose

Despite the "bamboo" on the label, this is standard viscose processing applied to bamboo pulp: the bamboo itself doesn't survive the process in any recognizably natural form.

Cupro

Made from cotton linter waste, the fuzz left on cottonseeds after ginning, dissolved in a copper-ammonia solution, then regenerated into a silky fiber.

Acetate

Produced from wood pulp treated with acetic acid, the same family of chemical process as the others, prized mostly for its silk-like sheen and drape.

Plant-Based Polyester

Made with some ingredients from plants, often sugarcane, but it is still polyester. The plant part is turned into the same kind of plastic as regular polyester, and usually only part of it comes from plants. It does not break down the way a natural fiber does. On a label, "plant-based polyester" still means polyester.

PLA (Polylactic Acid)

Made from plant starch, usually corn or sugarcane. The plant sugars are turned into a plastic, and then the plastic is spun into fiber. It starts with plants, but it is not a natural fiber. It is sometimes called "compostable," but that usually means a special industrial composting plant, not your backyard pile.

Beyond Fibers: Other Nontoxic Materials We Trust

Fabric isn't the only place synthetic, toxin-leaching materials sneak into a home. Here are a few other natural, nontoxic choices worth knowing about when you're furnishing a room or stocking a kitchen.

Latex

Natural latex comes from the sap of rubber trees and is commonly used in mattresses and pillows as a nontoxic alternative to memory foam, which is petroleum-based and can off-gas synthetic compounds.

Wood

Solid, untreated wood is naturally biodegradable and free of the chemical binders found in particleboard or laminate, making it a safer long-term choice for furniture and kitchenware.

Glass

Glass is non-porous and completely inert, meaning it won't leach chemicals into food or drinks the way some plastics can, even with repeated heating and washing.

Stainless Steel

Stainless steel resists rust, doesn't leach chemicals, and holds up to years of daily use, making it a reliable nontoxic choice for cookware and food storage.

Cast Iron

Cast iron is naturally nonstick when properly seasoned, free of synthetic coatings, and can even add trace amounts of dietary iron to food during cooking.

Copper

Pure copper is a natural metal that people have used for tools, cookware, and drinking vessels for thousands of years. It heats quickly and evenly, and it needs no coating or lining. Over time it darkens to a soft patina, which is part of its look. Plain water is the traditional use for a copper drinking vessel. A little copper can move into the water, so use it for plain water only and follow the product's care steps. Pure copper reacts with acidic foods and drinks like tomatoes, citrus, vinegar, juice, and soda, so keep it away from them. Skip sparkling and flavored drinks too.