Keeping It Natural

Choosing natural fibers is choosing quality, comfort, and sustainability all at once. These textiles honor both your closet and the earth, and will pay you back in the long run in both longevity and style. 

Here at KEEPER, we strive to keep our curation as natural as possible. That means, fabrics made from plants not plastic. So this month we're exploring what makes these fabrics sustainable and how to spot quality IRL. 

Lets begin! First up:

LINEN

Here's the thing about linen, it's basically the gift that keeps on giving. It comes from the flax plant, (which btw actually loves growing in places like Wisconsin). When you're out shopping for linen pieces, reach for the heavier weights that feel soft and substantial in your hands. If a piece feels scratchy and lightweight, that's a sign it's made from shorter plant fibers instead of quality long-stemmed flax. 

One of our favorite things about quality linen... It gets better with time. Wear it, wash it, and it becomes softer and more comfortable with every wash. It drapes like a dream and feels effortless against your skin, its the kind of fabric that just works. It's not uncommon to hear complaints about linen being "too wrinkly" or "itchy", this is likely due to poor-quality linen. So give a weightier linen a try and see if you can tell the difference! 

What really makes linen shine as a sustainable choice is how long it lasts. We're talking years or even decades of wear from a single garment. That kind of durability means less stuff ending up in landfills and way fewer replacements over time. Plus, the flax plant itself is pretty low-maintenance, it needs minimal pesticides and water compared to cotton, and almost nothing goes to waste. Nearly every part of the plant gets used.

To keep your linen looking and feeling great, wash it in cool water and air dry when you can. Here's a bonus: linen naturally resists odors, so you don't have to wash it as often. That means more water saved with every wear. And when your linen finally reaches the end of its life, it's completely biodegradable, it just returns to the earth it came from!

If you're looking to add some linen to your wardrobe, check out the Laced Linen Dress and Laundered Stripe Pants. Both showcase why we're so in love with this timeless natural fiber.

COTTON

Cotton is a natural fiber that's inherently biodegradable and renewable. What makes it sustainable depends on how it's grown. Organic cotton is cultivated without synthetic pesticides or fertilizers, protecting soil health and reducing chemical runoff. It also uses less water than conventional cotton when managed responsibly.

When shopping for cotton pieces, look for density and weight. Quality cotton feels substantial in your hands and holds its shape through repeated wear and washing. Tightly woven fabrics resist pilling and fading better than loosely constructed ones. Higher quality cotton also typically has a smoother finish and softer feel.

Hand-woven cotton is also one of our favorites in the KEEPER shop. The craftsmanship involved in hand-weaving creates unique textures and variations that machine-made cotton can't replicate. Hand-woven pieces often feature irregular patterns and a more artisanal quality, and the slower production process means greater attention to detail. While machine-made cotton offers consistency and efficiency, hand-woven cotton tells a story of human skill and care, making each piece truly one-of-a-kind.

To care for your cotton and extend its lifespan, wash in cool water and air dry when possible. This gentle approach preserves the fibers and reduces energy use. At the end of its life, cotton is completely biodegradable, returning naturally to the earth without leaving behind a trace.

Some of our favorite cotton pieces in the shop include the Cottonwood Dress (literally made from the cottonwood tree) the Omar Pants featuring hand-woven cotton as well as our best selling Heavy Weight Cotton pieces from Le Bon Shoppe. 

HEMP

Hemp is one of nature's most resilient and sustainable fibers. The hemp plant grows quickly without requiring pesticides, fertilizers, or excessive water, making it one of the most eco-friendly crops available. It actually improves soil quality as it grows, and nearly every part of the plant is utilized, creating zero waste in production.

Hemp fabric has a naturally textured appearance with a slightly rustic feel that gives garments character and authenticity. When shopping for hemp pieces, look for a soft hand and consistent weave. Quality hemp feels comfortable against the skin and becomes even softer with wear. The fabric naturally resists wrinkles, stretching and odors, making it super practical for everyday wear.

What makes hemp truly special is its incredible durability. Hemp garments are built to last for years, and the fiber actually strengthens when wet, meaning it can handle frequent washing without breaking down. This longevity is the cornerstone of sustainability, fewer replacements mean less waste and a smaller environmental footprint.

To care for your hemp pieces, wash in cool water and air dry when possible. Hemp naturally resists bacteria and odors, so you can wash it less frequently than other fabrics. The more you wear and wash your hemp garments, the softer and more comfortable they become. Just like linen and cotton, when hemp pieces finally reach the end of their life, they're completely biodegradable and will return to the earth without leaving a trace. 

If you love hemp or would like to try a hemp piece we recommend an every day basic like the Featherweight Hemp tee.