Materials
Natural fibres at a glance: cotton, linen, wool and wood-based fibres
Whether a garment cools, warms, creases or flows is decided mainly by the fibre. Here we introduce the most important materials in our collection: cotton, linen, wool and fibres made from wood. You'll find out how they feel to wear, what they're suited to and which certificates go with them.
At a glance
- Natural fibres are plant-based (cotton, linen) or animal-based (wool).
- Lyocell and Modal are made from wood, but are produced in an industrial process. That's why they're called cellulose or regenerated fibres.
- Certificates such as GOTS, OCS or RWS verify the origin of the fibre. Which one applies to an item is stated on the product page.
Cotton: the soft all-rounder
Cotton grows as seed hair in the bolls of the cotton plant. It is soft, breathable, absorbs moisture and washes well. That's why it's the first choice for T-shirts, sweatshirts, underwear and nightwear.
Organic cotton is grown without synthetic pesticides, without synthetic fertilisers and without genetically modified seed. This can be verified through standards such as GOTS or OCS. Read more in Organic cotton or conventional cotton.
Linen: cool and hard-wearing
Linen is made from the stems of the flax plant. The long fibres are very tear-resistant. The fabric feels cool, dries quickly and has a typical, slightly irregular texture. However, it creases quickly. Blended with cotton, linen becomes softer and creases less. You'll find everything about its properties and care in Linen: properties, feel and care.
Wool: warm and rarely needs washing
Wool is an animal fibre; in our range it's mainly lambswool and merino wool. The crimped fibres trap air and keep you warm. Wool can absorb moisture without feeling wet straight away and often just needs airing. It's ideal for knitwear, scarves and coats.
The Responsible Wool Standard (RWS) sets requirements for animal welfare and grazing land and bans mulesing. We explain the details in RWS wool and merino. Wool items are not vegan.
Wood-based fibres: TENCEL™ Lyocell, Modal and LENZING™ ECOVERO™
These fibres consist of cellulose that is extracted from wood and spun into new fibres. The raw material is natural, the production is industrial.
- TENCEL™ Lyocell is smooth, cool and fluid. According to the manufacturer Lenzing, more than 99 % of the solvent is recovered.
- Modal is particularly soft and stays supple even after many washes.
- LENZING™ ECOVERO™ is a viscose fibre from Lenzing, which we use for example in knit blends with organic cotton and lambswool.
More on this in TENCEL™ Lyocell and Modal.
The fibres compared
| Cotton | Linen | Wool | Lyocell | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Origin | plant (seed hair) | plant (flax stems) | animal (sheep) | wood (cellulose) |
| Handle | soft | crisp, textured | warm, soft to slightly coarse | smooth, silky |
| Strengths | versatile, easy care | cool, hard-wearing | warming, rarely needs washing | fluid, cool |
| Proof | GOTS, OCS | depends on the item | RWS | TENCEL™ branded fibre from Lenzing |
Why many fabrics are blends
Many garments combine several fibres. A blend of Lyocell and organic cotton drapes more fluidly than pure cotton, linen with cotton creases less, and wool with cotton feels lighter. With blends, a certificate applies to the fibre content it covers. The exact composition is on the care label and the product page. If a fabric contains recycled fibres, you can read what's behind them in Recycled materials.
You can see which standard applies to an item in the "Production" tab on the product page. Our Certificates page gives an overview, and you'll find washing tips for each material in the care instructions.
FAQ
Is viscose a natural fibre?
No. Like Lyocell and Modal, viscose is a cellulose fibre. The raw material is wood, but the fibre is produced in a chemical process.
Which fibre is best for hot days?
Linen and TENCEL™ Lyocell feel particularly cool. Lightweight cotton in single jersey is also comfortable.
Which fibre keeps you warmest?
Wool. Its crimped fibres trap a lot of air and so retain heat.
