While for many shoppers, the main quality of any piece of clothing they are interested in is how it looks, there are other factors which can influence one's selection that should also be considered. Fabrics are each unique from one another, and possess the ability to affect the wearer's emotional and spiritual state, health, and the environment. Making conscious clothing choices which reflect these aspects is part of fashion alchemy.
Civilizations in ancient India had the concept that each type of fabric or textiles possesses its own characteristic energy. In Sanskrit the word "Ayurvastra" translates to mean "healthy clothes" which implies that clothing has the power to influence one's health and well-being. The unique texture, physical and chemical properties, and source of the material all play a part in determining its overall qualities.
Every type of material has features which set it apart from the others. Cotton is a commonly used fiber that is natural, and it has long been attributed with the ability to attract divinity and positivity and keep negative vibrations away from the wearer. Also natural in origin, silk is known for its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory healing powers that keep skin vibrant, and prevent infections. Bamboo can be grown organically and naturally repels odors and may also be antibacterial.
As a synthetic textile, polyester is derived from petroleum, but today some manufacturers are producing a variation that is made from recycled materials that is more eco-friendly. Many vintage shops will resell classic polyester fashions too, which is another form of recycling itself. Lyocell is a fabric made from wood pulp that is processed in a environmentally friendly way and it does not wrinkle, so no ironing is required.
The long fibers of processed soy can be used for making a soft and silky fabric which is very suitable for undergarments. Hemp is another material, easily grown without chemicals, and it is also very versatile in nature so it can be used to manufacture either soft or durable garments. It is believed to have some antibacterial properties too.
The wool of the Kashmir goat is shorn and combed out to produce luxurious cashmere, which is usually used to make sweaters. If it is not processed with chemicals and blended with synthetic fibers, cashmere can be kept for a long time. Flax, another crop which can be grown organically, is used to make linen, another classic fabric that is lightweight and breathable, making it ideal for summer weather.
Alpaca sheep, which are the source of alpaca wool used for clothing, are usually raised without receiving any kind of injections or hormones, making their wool relatively pure and it is also durable and stays looking good for years if well cared for. A fabric called Ingeo can be made from fermented plant sugars, which does not require as much energy to process as cotton does.
Fabrics truly possess a life of their own and should not be viewed as a lifeless, inanimate object, since they can benefit the health and mindset of the wearer. Today people also have more clothing choices than ever before which take the protection of the environment into consideration, and as more become aware of its importance, they make a point of recycling used clothing instead of dumping them in already overcrowded landfill sites.
Civilizations in ancient India had the concept that each type of fabric or textiles possesses its own characteristic energy. In Sanskrit the word "Ayurvastra" translates to mean "healthy clothes" which implies that clothing has the power to influence one's health and well-being. The unique texture, physical and chemical properties, and source of the material all play a part in determining its overall qualities.
Every type of material has features which set it apart from the others. Cotton is a commonly used fiber that is natural, and it has long been attributed with the ability to attract divinity and positivity and keep negative vibrations away from the wearer. Also natural in origin, silk is known for its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory healing powers that keep skin vibrant, and prevent infections. Bamboo can be grown organically and naturally repels odors and may also be antibacterial.
As a synthetic textile, polyester is derived from petroleum, but today some manufacturers are producing a variation that is made from recycled materials that is more eco-friendly. Many vintage shops will resell classic polyester fashions too, which is another form of recycling itself. Lyocell is a fabric made from wood pulp that is processed in a environmentally friendly way and it does not wrinkle, so no ironing is required.
The long fibers of processed soy can be used for making a soft and silky fabric which is very suitable for undergarments. Hemp is another material, easily grown without chemicals, and it is also very versatile in nature so it can be used to manufacture either soft or durable garments. It is believed to have some antibacterial properties too.
The wool of the Kashmir goat is shorn and combed out to produce luxurious cashmere, which is usually used to make sweaters. If it is not processed with chemicals and blended with synthetic fibers, cashmere can be kept for a long time. Flax, another crop which can be grown organically, is used to make linen, another classic fabric that is lightweight and breathable, making it ideal for summer weather.
Alpaca sheep, which are the source of alpaca wool used for clothing, are usually raised without receiving any kind of injections or hormones, making their wool relatively pure and it is also durable and stays looking good for years if well cared for. A fabric called Ingeo can be made from fermented plant sugars, which does not require as much energy to process as cotton does.
Fabrics truly possess a life of their own and should not be viewed as a lifeless, inanimate object, since they can benefit the health and mindset of the wearer. Today people also have more clothing choices than ever before which take the protection of the environment into consideration, and as more become aware of its importance, they make a point of recycling used clothing instead of dumping them in already overcrowded landfill sites.
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