9 Common Natural Fabrics for Clothing Manufacturing

Natural fabrics are highly regarded for their superior breathability, comfort, and sustainability, making them a popular choice in the clothing manufacturing industry. The following guide will provide a detailed introduction to these fabrics and their use in clothing manufacturing.

Natural fabrics refer to materials made from natural sources. They can be 100% natural, coming directly from plants (e.g. cotton, linen) or animals (e.g. wool, silk); or semi-natural (recycled fibers), made from natural raw materials (e.g. wood pulp) but chemically processed to become fibers (e.g. Tencel™, Modal, Bamboo Viscose). Both fabrics provide environmentally friendly, breathable, and comfortable options for clothing manufacturing.

1. Cotton: The cornerstone of the textile industry

Cotton is one of the textile industry's most widely used natural clothing fabrics. Made from natural cotton fibers, it is soft, breathable, durable, and suitable for a variety of clothing such as T-shirts, shirts, underwear, and children's clothing. Its excellent moisture absorption makes the wearer feel comfortable, especially in hot and humid climates.

Organic cotton is grown without the use of synthetic pesticides, fertilizers, or harmful chemicals. This environmentally friendly growing process is safer for both workers and consumers. Organic cotton retains all the benefits of conventional cotton while adding sustainability value.

Sansansun Sports is proud to have a reliable network of natural and organic fabric suppliers, ensuring a high-quality sourcing system that meets strict global quality standards.

2. Linen: The perfect combination of freshness and durability

Linen is a natural fabric made from flax plant fibers, which is highly regarded for its excellent strength, breathability, and moisture-wicking properties. Linen is known for its refreshing texture and natural sheen, and it becomes softer and more comfortable with each wash.

Linen keeps the body cool and dry, and is especially popular in warm climates. Linen is often used to make summer clothing, casual wear, beachwear, and lightweight suits due to its durability and elegant appearance.

In China, typical linen products provided by Sansansun include shirts, dresses, pants, etc., which combine fashion, comfort, and functionality. In addition, linen is often blended with other fabrics such as cotton or spandex to create a versatile textile suitable for sportswear and casual wear, which is breathable and stretchy, making it perfect for sportswear.

3. Wool: A natural fiber that is both warm and breathable

Wool is a natural fiber from sheep that is known for its excellent warmth, moisture-wicking, and breathability. It provides warmth in cold weather while remaining breathable in mild climates for comfort.

Wool is widely used in a variety of garments, such as sweaters, cardigans, coats, and jackets. In recent years, premium merino wool has also gained popularity in performance apparel and underwear for its softness and good temperature-regulating properties.

4. Hemp: Ideal for sustainability

Hemp is a natural fabric made from the stalks of the hemp plant, known for its strength, durability, and environmental benefits. It uses very little water, grows quickly, does not require the use of pesticides, and enriches the soil, making it one of the most sustainable textile fibers.

In the field of apparel manufacturing, hemp is often used to make T-shirts, pants, dresses, skirts, jackets, hoodies, casual blazers, work clothes, and even denim-style pants. It is often blended with fibers such as organic cotton, recycled polyester, or spandex to enhance softness, flexibility, and performance.

Through OEM customization services, Sansansun helps brands develop hemp apparel that meets their design, performance, and sustainability goals.

5. Silk: A symbol of luxury and elegance

Silk is one of the most luxurious and oldest natural fabrics used in clothing manufacturing. Made from fine fibers spit out by silkworms, it is highly praised for its natural sheen, silky texture and elegant drape.

Silk is widely used in both casual and formal occasions due to its elegant appearance and soft touch. The most common silk clothing includes shirts, blouses and camisole, which are perfect for both professional and daily wear. Silk dresses, especially evening gowns and camisole dresses, are popular in formal occasions due to their elegant temperament and exquisite shape.

6. Cashmere: The perfect combination of luxury and warmth

Cashmere is a high-quality natural fiber extracted from the underhair of cashmere goats, mainly distributed in cold regions such as Mongolia, China, Nepal and parts of Iran.

Cashmere is known for its extraordinary softness, warmth and light touch, and is considered one of the most luxurious fibers for clothing manufacturing. It is much warmer than wool, but softer and more comfortable next to the skin.

Cashmere is often used in winter clothing due to its excellent warmth retention properties. Classic cashmere garments include jackets, sweaters, cardigans and pullovers.

The fabric is often blended with other materials such as wool, silk or cotton to increase durability while maintaining its soft touch.

7. Alpaca: A Hypoallergenic Luxury Choice

Alpaca fabric is a high-quality natural textile made from the wool of alpacas, which are native to the Andes Mountains in South America. Alpaca fabric is known for its superior softness, warmth and lightness, making it a luxurious alternative to traditional wool.

Unlike sheep wool, alpaca wool does not contain lanolin, making it hypoallergenic and suitable for sensitive skin. The fabric also has a natural sheen and excellent drape, making it highly aesthetic.

Alpaca fabric is mainly used to make clothing suitable for cool climates due to its thermal insulation properties. Common alpaca garments include sweaters, cardigans, coats, jackets and pullovers, which are warm and breathable and comfortable to wear.

8. Bamboo fiber: A breathable and durable fashion choice

Bamboo fiber fabric is a semi-natural textile made from bamboo. While the raw materials are natural, most bamboo fabrics, especially bamboo viscose, are made through chemical processing, which places them somewhere between natural and synthetic fibers.

For brands seeking a reliable bamboo apparel manufacturer, Sansansun is a trusted partner. We specialize in producing high-quality bamboo apparel with a focus on sustainability, providing breathable, durable and fashionable sportswear products.

Our production capabilities cover a wide range of apparel, from everyday basics like T-shirts and activewear to breathable loungewear and activewear, all made from environmentally friendly materials.

9. TENCEL: A Soft and Breathable Natural Alternative

Made from natural wood pulp, Tencel fiber is a naturally sourced fiber. Although it undergoes a gentle chemical process to be made into fabric, it remains environmentally friendly. Because its raw materials are naturally and sustainably sourced, Tencel fiber is often considered a more natural alternative to fully synthetic fibers.

Known for its extraordinary softness and smooth texture, this natural fabric is very comfortable to wear. It also has excellent breathability and moisture wicking properties, helping to keep the skin dry and cool all day long.

Tencel fabrics are commonly used in T-shirts, dresses, shirts, pants and lightweight jackets. It is also commonly used in shorts, leggings, home wear, pajamas, hoodies, and work wear. Tencel fabric is soft and breathable, suitable for both daily wear and for creating a more elegant style.

As a sportswear manufacturer in China, Sansansun provides a full range of services, from design consultation and fabric sourcing to production and delivery, to meet your sportswear manufacturing needs in one stop.