The Natural Fabrics Guide

Natural fabrics keep you cooler because they breathe — the fibres allow air to circulate and moisture to evaporate off your skin, rather than trapping heat and sweat the way polyester does. Hemp is especially good in the heat: it wicks moisture quickly, dries fast and stays cool to the touch. It's one of the reasons our hemp wrap skirts have become a warm-weather favourite across the world.

Brand new, cotton usually feels softer — but hemp catches up quickly and then keeps going. Hemp fibres soften with every wash and wear, without weakening the way cotton can. Give a hemp garment a few months and it often ends up softer than cotton, with far more life left in it. Many of our customers tell us their most-worn Wildalaya pieces are the ones they've had the longest.

For comfort, breathability and the planet — yes. Polyester is a plastic: it traps heat, holds onto odour and sheds microplastics into waterways every time it's washed. Natural fabrics like hemp and cotton breathe, regulate temperature, biodegrade at the end of their life and generally feel far nicer against the skin. Polyester does resist wrinkles better, but we think that's a small trade for everything else.

Yes, natural fabrics wrinkle more than synthetics — and honestly, we've made peace with that. Creasing is a sign the fibre is natural and breathable rather than coated in plastic. Hemp softens and relaxes as you wear it, so light creases tend to fall out with body warmth. A quick steam or a hang in a humid bathroom sorts most wrinkles, and a slightly lived-in look suits relaxed silhouettes like our wrap skirts and shirts beautifully.

No. Wildalaya clothing is made from natural plant fibres — primarily hemp and hemp-cotton blends — with no polyester, nylon or other synthetics in our fabrics. Our pieces are made in small batches by artisans in Dharamshala, India, using AZO-free dyes, so what touches your skin is as natural as we can make it.

Natural fabrics can shrink a little, mostly in a hot wash or tumble dryer. Hemp is more stable than pure cotton, but we still recommend a gentle, cold machine wash and line drying in the shade — it protects the fibres, the colour and the fit, and it uses less energy too. Cared for this way, your Wildalaya pieces will hold their shape for years.

Yes. AZO dyes are a group of synthetic dyes, some of which can release compounds linked to skin irritation and health concerns — several are restricted or banned in the EU. AZO-free dyes avoid these compounds entirely, making them a kinder choice for your skin, for the artisans who dye the fabric, and for the waterways where dye houses operate. Every Wildalaya fabric is dyed with AZO-free dyes.

Yes — natural fibres are often recommended for menopause, particularly for managing hot flushes and night sweats. Breathable fabrics like hemp wick moisture away from the skin and release heat rather than trapping it, which can make temperature swings noticeably more comfortable. Loose, layerable natural pieces — like a wrap skirt or an open hemp shirt — make it easy to adjust as your body does.

Absolutely. Hemp is naturally temperature-regulating: the same breathability that keeps you cool in summer helps trap warmth against your body when layered in winter. A hemp shirt or dress worn over a thermal layer, or under wool, is a lovely winter combination. It's one of the reasons hemp pieces earn their place as year-round wardrobe staples rather than seasonal buys.

Awareness has caught up with polyester. People are learning that it's made from fossil fuels, sheds microplastics with every wash, traps heat and odour, and lingers in landfill for hundreds of years. As more of us look for clothing that's comfortable, long-lasting and gentler on the planet, natural fibres like hemp are a natural place to land.

Often longer — especially hemp, which is one of the strongest natural fibres in the world, around three times stronger than cotton. Synthetics don't biodegrade, but they do pill, lose shape and hold odour, which is usually what sends them to landfill. A well-made hemp garment, cared for gently, can be worn for many years — which is exactly how we design at Wildalaya.