1. Good Studios hemp linen pinafore dress | $191 at Garmentory
get a $20 credit if you use my >>referral link<<
2. Eileen Fisher chambray dress | $218
3. Jungmaven women’s striped hemp/organic cotton t-shirt | $84 at Garmentory
4. Reifhaus tunic | $234 at Garmentory
5. Saucony jazz vegan/hemp shoes | $60
6. Eevoud hemp/cupro sleeveless v-back top | $125
Something you didn’t know about me: I was a marijuana legalization activist in college. LOL – who wasn’t?? 😉 no really. I went to the Hemp Festival, handed out literature, and talked up the benefits of hemp for clothing, and marijuana for medicinal therapies to everyone I could. I still believe in legalization, but don’t do much activism anymore. I probably should.
Why hemp? In a nutshell:
Hemp cleans oxygen, water and nourishes the land. Hemp is a natural fiber that’s cultivated with low impact on the environment. It requires no irrigation, uses no pesticides, synthetic fertilizers or GMO seeds. It’s one of the most durable natural fibers on the planet and results in a fabric with a wonderful hand. (via Jungmaven)
Did you know the word canvas comes from cannabis? That’s how prevalent the use of hemp fibers for industrial use (even PAPER!!) was before it started being unfairly conflated with marijuana, and growing/using hemp was outlawed in the US. Of course it was also thanks in no small part to heavy involvement and lobbying by paper companies, chemical companies, cotton, etc. who saw an opportunity to push such a versatile & environmentally friendly fiber out of their way so they could be free to use more TREES for paper. Now, in some states farmers are allowed to grow hemp for industrial use (which has negligible amounts of HTC, and therefore makes it useless for recreational use) but they’re reluctant to because of fear of the DEA.
This isn’t a problem in other parts of the world, in fact, France grows the most hemp for industrial use, followed by China (But, honestly, we should be growing hemp in the US). So, there’s really no shortage of hemp clothing out there, but most of it has, shall we say, a certain “look”? A lot of today’s hemp clothing lends credence to eco-friendly fashion’s “granola” moniker; it’s more hippie & boho than modern, chic, and minimal, in my opinion (Etsy hemp search results, I’m looking at you…).
Not a problem if that’s your style, but it’s no longer mine.
So, it was a bit of a challenge to find some hemp (most are hemp/organic cotton blends) pieces that I’d wear, and recommend, but I was pleasantly surprised to find more and more contemporary designers using hemp in their designs lately; it lends itself well to the minimal Japanese-style of Black Crane, Elizabeth Suzann, and Eileen Fisher. I don’t own any hemp clothing yet, but it seems to be similar to linen and would work well in loose, flowy tops, dresses, and pants.
Some of my favorite resources (along with the pieces above)
Elizabeth Suzann used hemp in at least this piece – hopefully some of you were lucky enough to snag it during the sample sale!!
Black Crane has done some pieces in hemp
Garmentory has a nice selection of hemp clothing – including some pieces by Jungmaven. AND, if you haven’t signed up at Garmentory yet, if you use my referral link, you’ll get a $20 credit in your account (and so will I). BONUS>
Jungmaven – love their “everyone in a hemp tee by 2020” slogan, and I just ordered (via Garmentory) their black baja tee to try.
Patagonia has some very practical hemp pants and shirts, not the most stylish…
Basic hemp/organic cotton t-shirt by ONNO
I love these pants by Prana
Arkins makes sustainable workwear and have some lovely hemp pieces, like this recycled hemp skirt.
Saucony hemp/canvas sneakers
Wallis Evera makes tailored hemp blend clothing, good for more “conservative” work environment or special occasion pieces.
olderbrother makes gender neutral clothing in Portland, and has a great straight pair of hemp/cotton trousers for $60.
Do you have any other resources for contemporary women’s hemp clothing? Do you own any hemp clothing/accessories? (I used to have a hemp/leather tote bag, but it’s long gone. How I wish I had it now!!)
Totally off topic…The subject of podcasts came up the other day and I wanted to mention awearworld.com if you are not familiar. All things fashion/sustainability. Last week was an interview with the director of The True Cost movie. ?
Hi Grechen,
I have a pair of hemp pants made by Patagonia that are now around ten years old and still going strong. I don’t wear them often but they have stood the test of time. They’re wide legged without having a flair and sit a little lower on the waist. I depend on them when traveling really because I can wear them with hiking boots and birk.’s as well as my favorite Frye boots to dress up (depending on the season). They’re a taupe and go with nearly everything.
Dawn
I’d love some hemp clothing (I love linen!) I’ll have to keep this in mind as I think about what I might need for this summer. NC just legalized hemp as an industrial crop last year (I think). So few things can grow in our crappy soil, and since we really need to transition away from tobacco, I’ve wanted them to grow hemp here since I moved (1998). Excited to see if it can happen!!
yes, i do know that podcast debi! this is going to make me sound TERRIBLE and petty, but i tried to listen to one and couldn’t get over her voice 🙁 the pitch or whatever, i just found it sort of grating. but i keep meaning to try again. ugh. i can’t believe i said that out loud. my husband won’t listen to some of my favorite podcasts with me because he can’t stand the guys’ voices…so i guess it’s a thing…
I have an older ES Georgia T in a hemp/silk blend and I did score the Lara top in the sample sale! Waiting patiently…
Thanks for sharing this list of places to purchase hemp made clothing from. It is amazing how beneficial using hemp can help the environment, and I think it’s crazy how taboo its become. But it’s good that legalization is catching wind!
I don’t own any hemp clothing yet, but I love the “Cut from a Different Cloth” tee by Superego. They make basic tees and hat. http://superegoclothiers.com/collections/all
I have a Jungmaven tee I love and a couple of Prairie Underground hemp/hemp-blend pieces I also really love https://www.prairieunderground.com/?s=hemp&post_type=product
I remember your mentioning once that you were libertarian, and I thought, “huh, must be weed.” Ha! I have two hemp work-appropriate tops from the sadly departed Ecoskin that I LOVE. They would be too hot in summer, but they are perfect for the cooler months. Nice drape, comfy, easy-care…no downside except they’re on the heavy side, so might not be great for travel, although maybe mine are just a heavyweight fabric. Very happy to hear from upthread that hemp may be coming to NC!
LOL – absolutely it’s the weed 😉
i remember ecoskin…so many eco-brands aren’t with us anymore from back in the day. the good thing is there are new ones popping up all the time!
yes! forgot about prarie underground. thanks for the recommendation.
i’m excited about my jungmaven tee, i hope i love it!
haha! i checked to see how many weeks it’s been since the sample sale to try and count how many more i have to wait 😉
my impression is that hemp is a bit more substantial than linen, but with the same “cooling” qualities, so i’m excited to try it. i think it would be great for summer…
and yay for growing hemp in NC 🙂 i doubt that will EVER HAPPEN IN TX LOL
that’s wonderful dawn! i look forward to adding more patagonia to my wardrobe – i only have my nano-puff jacket, but it’s a workhorse, and of course i love the company’s ethics.
Ha! I know what you mean! I guess I just suck it up sometimes because I really want to know what the guest says!
No sources that I’m aware of, but your post makes me acutely aware that we are at the beginning of a “fabric movement.” I look forward to the day when truly fashionable pieces made of hemp are abundantly available to purchase. For now, I find the Elizabeth Suzann, EF, Eenvoud, and Black Crane to be the st esthetically pleasing…but it appears we’ve got a long way to go before hemp becomes ubiquitous and hence, more affordable.
I love that you were a Mary Jane activist!!! ;-). Some good research/stats there. But, alas….lobbyists!
For me the best on that list is from Patagonia and Jungmaven – their items are more reasonably priced, look like they have some shape and a bit of colour. Most of the others are boxy, shapeless, lack colour and are too expensive. I like wearing natural fibres but decent looking items without the hefty price tag are hard to find.
oh, i love that – “fabric movement” ! i hope so.
Ooh, I love that Moth Coat from prairie underground! It’s on sale too. But I don’t need any coats!
Any clue on their sizing? Normal sizing, or “prestige” (eg tiny) sizing?
just chiming in…i’ve not tried any prairie underground, but i’d assume they’re “regular” sizing? sally from Already Pretty used to wear a lot of prairie underground, maybe search her archives for fit info?
I have several Prairie Underground tops & they tend to run true to size or maybe a little on the generously-cut side.
I knew I loved you for a reason! Actually hemp production has been legal in Canada for years and years. I think it’s mainly exported tho. For lots of hemp blends, check out Samuji’s resort collection. One of my very favourite designers, but I can only treat myself once in a very blue moon and even then on sale. High price point for me, but worth it if you can afford it. Simple, but definitely unique at the same time. And you never have to worry about the sizing. You will always take the same size.
oh! i have some samuji pieces in my “favorites” at garmentory, but i’m so unsure of how they’ll fit i’ve never ordered…
will try and find some of their hemp blends, thank you!!!
Thanks! I did find a sizing chart that gave actual measurement ranges on the site too, which is always helpful!