Types of textile fibers & Silk – A green material for a sustainable style

Textile fibers are the backbone of the fashion industry, ranging from natural to synthetic materials. Among them, silk stands out—not only for its elegance but also for its potential as a sustainable, eco-friendly fabric. Let’s explore some familiar types of textile fibers and discover why silk is considered a 'green' choice for those who care about sustainable fashion.

Natural Fibers

Natural fibers are made from materials that occur in nature, primarily sourced from plants grown and harvested by humans for textile use. These types of fibers have been used for thousands of years - since ancient times and long before the Industrial Revolution, when people relied solely on natural fibers to make clothing.

Some of the most common plants used to produce natural textile fibers include cotton, flax, ramie, and jute. From these, we obtain flax fibers (used for linen), ramie fibers, and jute fibers, which can be woven into fabric using both traditional and industrial methods.

Besides plant-based fibers, there are also natural fibers derived from animals. For example, silk comes from silkworms raised to produce silk threads, and wool is made from the hair of animals such as sheep, goats, camels, and rabbits — with sheep being the most common source.

Mulberry Silk

There are four main types of natural silk, with mulberry silk being the most common, accounting for over 95% of global production. Silk is considered the “Queen of Fibers” due to its delicate production process and low yield, yet high value in the fashion world.

Silk fibers are naturally glossy, highly absorbent, and have superior smoothness. Silk fabric, woven from silk threads, is soft, luxurious, and breathable—ideal for warm weather thanks to its moisture-wicking properties, and perfect for cold climates because of its low thermal conductivity, which helps retain body heat.

Cotton Fiber

Cotton is one of the most widely used natural fibers, derived from the cotton plant. It has been cultivated for centuries and remains a key material in the textile industry. Cotton fibers are classified based on length, color, purity, and texture. Generally, longer fibers produce higher-quality cotton.

Cotton is loved for its excellent moisture absorption, making it breathable and comfortable to wear. Though it tends to attract oil and dirt, it is easy to clean. It’s also known for being gentle on the skin, causing little to no irritation—making it a safe, skin-friendly material.

Cotton becomes even stronger when wet, is alkali-resistant, but is sensitive to acid and flammable. It also has good resistance to moths and insects.

Wool Fiber

Wool is a natural fiber obtained mainly from sheep, though it can also come from goats, camels, and other animals. It's well-known for its warmth, elasticity, and ability to trap air and retain heat. Wool is often used in winter clothing due to its excellent insulation properties.

Wool quality depends on several factors, including fiber diameter, crimp (curl), yield, color, and durability. Finer, thicker wool usually means better quality and higher value.

Semi-Synthetic Fibers

Based on the raw materials and production methods, chemical fibers are divided into two main types: Regenerated fibers, which are made from natural sources with high cellulose content such as bamboo, wood, or reeds. Synthetic fibers, which are produced from fossil-based materials like coal, petroleum, or natural gas.

Polyester (PES)

Polyester is one of the most widely used synthetic fibers in the textile industry. It is derived from petroleum and produced through a polymerization process. Polyester is more commonly used than natural fibers due to its excellent oil absorption, which makes it effective in water resistance, dust resistance, and flame retardancy.

In addition, polyester is highly resistant to dirt, doesn’t shrink when washed vigorously, doesn’t wrinkle, and is difficult to stretch out of shape. It also offers great thermal insulation, is easy to dye, and resists damage from mold and mildew.

Polyamide (PA) – Nylon

Nylon is a synthetic fiber made from carbon, water, and air. As a type of plastic, nylon is strong and elastic. It is created through a chemical process called condensation polymerization. Since nylon was invented in a laboratory, its production is complex and highly technical.

Nylon is known for its durability, flexibility, and ability to retain shape, making it ideal for clothing, sportswear, and industrial applications.

Elastane (EL) – Spandex

Elastane, also known as Spandex in North America, is another popular synthetic fiber. It is best known for its exceptional stretchability. Elastane absorbs very little moisture, doesn’t generate static electricity, doesn’t pill, and has a light, smooth surface that is easy to dye.

Because of these properties, elastane is often blended with other fibers to create stretchable fabrics used in activewear, underwear, and fitted clothing.

Viscose (CV) – Rayon

Viscose is a regenerated fiber made from cellulose, similar to cotton, but its molecular structure is re-engineered. This makes it a chemically processed fiber, classified as semi-synthetic.

Viscose has a lower structural orientation and is generally weaker than cotton. It becomes softer and more flexible when wet, but its strength decreases significantly. It is shinier than cotton and reacts more quickly to chemicals, which results in lower durability compared to natural cotton.

Other Synthetic Fibers

In addition to the fibers mentioned above, the textile industry continues to innovate and introduce new types of synthetic fibers, such as:  Polyester Partially Oriented Yarn (Polyester POY);  Polyester Drawn Textured Yarn (Polyester DTY); Polyester Fully Drawn Yarn (Polyester FDY); Polypropylen (PP); PE; …..

The Traditional Handwoven Silk Process

The traditional silk-making process begins with sericulture the art of raising silkworms, especially those that feed on mulberry leaves. These silkworms spin cocoons made of long, continuous silk filaments. Harvesting these threads is known as the reeling process, where the delicate fibers are carefully unwound. Each cocoon can produce up to 1,000 meters of silk filament, which is then twisted into silk threads.

Once the silk threads are ready, the weaving process begins. Traditional looms, such as handlooms, are used to craft intricate patterns by hand. Different regions have their own signature weaving styles and motifs. For example, in India, Banarasi and Kanchipuram saris are famous for their luxurious silk fabrics, often adorned with complex designs inspired by nature, folklore, and mythology.

However, traditional silk weaving is a time-consuming and labor-intensive craft. Depending on the complexity of the pattern, it can take several weeks or even months to complete just one piece of silk fabric. Despite the hard work, many artisans continue to pursue this tradition because it allows for a level of artistry and craftsmanship that machine-made fabrics simply cannot replicate.

The result is a fabric that is not only luxurious and elegant, but also deeply rooted in cultural heritage and historical value.

Silk – A Sustainable Fabric for a Greener Future

Wearing silk is often compared to putting on a second skin - light, breathable, and incredibly comfortable. Thanks to its natural protein-based composition, silk is also biodegradable, breaking down naturally without harming the environment.

While agricultural chemicals are commonly found in the production of clothing even natural fibers like cotton often rely heavily on pesticides during cultivation mulberry trees, grown to feed silkworms, are extremely sensitive to chemical exposure. Even pollutants like household smoke or urban dust can affect the quality of mulberry leaves and the health of the silkworms.

As a result, traditional silk villages have disappeared in many places where mulberry trees and silkworms couldn’t survive rapid urbanization. Concrete buildings replaced open fields, and industrial life disrupted the delicate ecosystem needed for silk farming. Today, you’ll mostly find mulberry farms thriving in clean highland regions or quiet rural areas where the lifestyle remains close to nature. In rare cases where plant treatments are needed, only safe, organic methods are used to protect the environment and the silkworms.

Every time we wash clothes made from synthetic fibers such as polyester or nylon, thousands of microplastic particles are released into the water. These tiny plastic fibers flow into the soil or end up in rivers and oceans. Scientists have found that microorganisms often ingest these fibers, which are then eaten by larger aquatic animals. Eventually, fish and seafood consumed by humans may carry microplastics bringing plastic back into our bodies through the food chain.

This cycle can be prevented if more people become aware of the problem and choose to wear natural, organic fabrics like silk.

Even more alarming is the fact that many cheap synthetic fabrics can emit nitrous oxide (N₂O) during production - a greenhouse gas 300 times more harmful than CO₂. Choosing natural fibers isn’t just better for personal health, but for the planet as well.

Thanks to its outstanding qualities and the growing awareness of eco-conscious consumers, silk especially high-quality silk from Vietnam is earning a well-deserved place in sustainable fashion. With its elegant texture, refined patterns, and cultural richness, Vietnamese silk appeals to discerning customers who appreciate the true value of natural materials.

At GAMME, we believe that sustainable value goes beyond a single product. It reflects a lifestyle, a philosophy, and a legacy for future generations. Silk is not only a luxurious material - it's a statement of how we choose to live, consume, and preserve the planet for those who come after us.