fibrMaterial guides
What each fibre actually does on your body, how to judge quality, and what the certifications mean.
Organic cotton
Grown without synthetic pesticides, and — if the certificate is real — processed without the nastier finishing chemicals too.
Linen
Flax is the fibre that gets better the more you wash it, and the one that will crease no matter what the product photo suggests.
Cashmere
Two numbers decide whether a cashmere sweater lasts a decade or pills into a rag by February: fibre length and ply.
Wool and merino
Fine merino can be worn for days without smelling, and a coarse wool jumper will itch whatever the label promises. The difference is the micron number.
Tencel lyocell
Lyocell is made from wood pulp, drapes like silk and feels cool to the touch. It's a regenerated fibre, not a natural one, and the brand name matters.
Hemp
Hemp is linen's tougher cousin: a bast fibre that starts stiff, softens with every wash and is very hard to wear out.