Need to know - Natural Fabrics
What do we mean by natural fabrics?
And why it matters to you...
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'Natural fabrics' is a phrase used often in fashion, but rarely explained in a way that actually means something for real life. At NRBY, it's not a trend or tick-box. It's a design choice that affects how our clothes feel, and how long they live in your wardrobe. Here's what we mean and why we believe it makes a difference for you.
Natural vs Synthetic: What's the Difference?
Natural fabrics - These comes from plants or animals and include cotton, linen, silk, cashmere and wool. They're breathable, biodegradable, and designed by nature to work with the body.
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Synthetic fabrics - These are man-made fibres, often derived from fossil fuels. Think polyester, acrylic, nylon and even recycled polyester. They're engineered to be strong and cheap to produce, but they behave very differently on the body and in the environment.
What Synthetics mean for you -
Many large fashion brands rely heavily on polyester because it's inexpensive, durable, and easy to mass-produce. Even when labelled "recycled", polyester remains a plastic fibre.
Recyled polyester is often presented as a better option, but the reality is more complex. Studies show that it can shed up to 55% more microplastic fibres, which are also around 20% smaller, allowing them to travel further into ecosystems and the human body. Whilst many brands lean on recycled synthetics to appear more sustainable, we take a different approach, choosing natural fibres that biodegrade and perform as nature intended.
Here's what that can mean in real terms:
They don't breathe -
Synthetic fibres trap heat and moisture. This can lead to discomfort, overheating, and odour - especially when worn close to the skin.
They shed microplastics -
Every time synthetic garments are washed, tiny plastic fibres are released into water systems. These microplastics don't breakdown and can end up in rivers, oceans - and even drinking water.
They age differently and feel different-
Polyester tends to pill, hold smells, and lose its softness over time. Clothes may look "worn out" faster, even if they haven't been worn for long. There's a reason silks feels fluid, linen feels cool, and cashmere feels soft. Synthetic fibres can imitate the look of luxury - but rarely the feel.
Our approach at NRBY
We design with silk, cotton, linen, cashmere and wool because they feel better to wear, last longer, and align with how we believe clothes should live in your wardrobe. We also support this with responsible sourcing - Better cotton, FSC-approved linings, Oeko-Tex certified silks, Good Cashmere Standard. Because sustainability shouldn't feel complicated, it should feel like something you enjoy wearing.
