Why I’m switching to biodegradeable clothing
The plastic in clothing is a real problem.
Since creating this directory, I’ve learned more than I expected about what really makes clothing sustainable. As someone who studies brands and calls out greenwashing for a living, I noticed something strange, barely any brands fall under the biodegradable category.
Everyone’s shouting ethical clothing, sustainable clothing, eco friendly clothing, but when you check the fabric tags, most of it won’t rot back into the soil for a hundred years.
Then I looked at my own wardrobe and realised around 70% of what I own is biodegradable, the rest? Plastic fibres that’ll outlive me and end up in someone’s lungs. That doesn’t sit right with me. So from now on, if it doesn’t break down in soil like my compost, I’m not buying it.
Because the truth is, biodegradable clothing isn’t a trend, it’s a return to our roots. It’s what fashion looked like before fossil fuels got woven into our wardrobes.
Cotton, hemp and linen these are materials that decompose naturally, that come from the earth and return to it.
When we talk about soil to soil clothing, that’s what we mean.
The problem is that even the most sustainable clothing brands sneak in synthetics for “durability,” which really just means more microplastics. That’s not sustainability. That’s marketing.
What is a biodegradable clothing?
Biodegradable clothing is made from natural fibres that can safely decompose when returned to the earth. Think cotton, hemp, and linen. These are materials that break down through natural processes instead of sitting in landfill for centuries.
When you wear biodegradable fabrics, you’re choosing clothes that can return to the soil without leaving behind microplastics or toxic residues.
Most fashion today is made with synthetic fibres like polyester, nylon, or acrylic. Those are all forms of plastic. They shed microplastics into the water every time you wash them and never truly disappear.
Biodegradable clothing is the complete opposite. It’s designed to come full circle, from soil to soil, without harm. That is what real sustainability looks like.
Soil to soil is a must
I love this phrase, soil to soil clothing. It sums up the entire cycle fashion should follow. You grow it, wear it, compost it. Just like you do at home with fruit and veg.
Nothing ends up in landfill, nothing leaks toxins into rivers, nothing sits around for centuries.
I think about this a lot when I review brands. Everyone’s chasing “recyclable” but no one’s talking about compostable.
Recycling is just extending a product’s death. Biodegradation is returning it to life. That’s the difference between circular and truly regenerative fashion.
When you choose biodegradable clothing, you’re not just buying something ethical. You’re taking responsibility for the afterlife of what you wear. It’s an act of respect, for the soil that grew your fibres and the people who harvested them. Every fibre that goes back into the ground becomes part of the next harvest.
That’s sustainability in its purest form. No chemicals. No synthetics. Just soil to soil.
I love the way natural fibres look
There’s something grounding about natural fibres. Linen creases, hemp is sturdy, cotton fades, that’s real texture, not perfection.
It’s the opposite of fast fashion’s plastic sheen.
When I wear undyed linen or raw cotton, I feel connected to where it came from, the earth. That’s something no polyester blend can give you. It’s why I lean into ethical clothing that embraces imperfection. It looks better because it’s honest.
And visually, eco friendly clothing has evolved. It looks good now! The new wave of biodegradable fashion brands understand aesthetics. You can have modern silhouettes without synthetic stretch. You can wear hemp and still look elevated.
The best sustainable clothing isn’t beige and boring anymore, plus it’s fashion that breathes and ages with you.
Clothes that rot, makes me happy
It sounds strange to say, but it’s true. Knowing my clothes will eventually return to the earth makes me feel at peace. There’s no guilt. No hidden plastic. No landfill ending. Just a clean cycle. I like the thought that what I wear today might one day feed the soil that grows tomorrow’s fibres. That’s harmony.
Biodegradable clothing reminds me that fashion doesn’t have to be destructive. It can be part of the planet’s rhythm instead of fighting against it. When something can break down naturally, that’s real progress. That’s sustainability in motion.
Clothing with stretch is nice, but I don't need it
I don’t mind activewear that’s a little loose. At least I’m not sweating in plastic. Maybe it’s because I’m grown now (mid 30s), but I don’t care for the fake fit or synthetic shine. That’s the problem with most sustainable clothing brands today, they compromise.
They’ll preach about being eco friendly but sneak in lyocell or elastane, and that ruins the whole point. If it can’t rot, it’s not sustainable.
At this point you all know my entire wardbrobe from my videos. So if you spot any changes, know that it is biodegradable and will be sent to rot. Thanks for reading! @queenofvitality