There was a time when luxury meant natural fibres. Cashmere, linen, silk, wool—these were the hallmarks of quality, the materials you could trust when you invested in clothing that mattered.
But somewhere along the way, that changed. Today, even premium brands blend their pieces with polyester, acrylic, nylon, and elastane—different names for what is essentially plastic, derived from petroleum rather than nature. What was once a guarantee of quality has become a guessing game—reading labels, decoding technical terms, wondering if that 'premium' knit is actually just plastic with a luxury price tag.
At Le Edit, we're committed to natural fibres—linen, organic cotton, merino and cashmere form the foundation of everything we create. This isn't a trend for us. It's a return to what luxury used to mean: materials you can trust, pieces that respect your body and the planet, and a brand that's transparent about every choice we make.
This guide explains why natural fibres matter, how they impact the environment and your body, and why returning to nature is one of the most powerful decisions you can make—for yourself and for the planet.
What Are Natural Fibres?
Natural fibres come from plants or animals, not petroleum or plastic. Unlike synthetic fabrics (such as polyester, nylon, and acrylic), natural fibres are renewable, biodegradable and designed by nature to work with the human body.
At Le Edit, we choose to design using only the best: cashmere, linen, merino, organic cotton, and leather. This same philosophy extends to our skincare—formulated with pure organic oils, nothing synthetic.
Each fibre has unique benefits — which we'll explore in detail in upcoming posts — but they all share one important quality: they are natural, breathable and biodegradable.
What's the Real Cost of Synthetic Clothing?
The majority of clothing produced globally today is either made from or blended with synthetic fibres—polyester, acrylic, nylon, elastane. Different names for what is essentially plastic.
Even luxury brands blend natural fibres with synthetics. A "cashmere blend" often means cashmere mixed with plastic. A "linen blend" diluted with polyester. At Le Edit, we're committed to natural fibres—and transparent about every material we use.
And the plastic problem goes deeper than labels. Every time synthetic garments are worn and washed, they shed microplastic fibres that enter our bodies and the environment - disrupting our hormones, causing inflammation and introducing toxic chemicals into our bodies and ecosystems.
Synthetic clothes never really disappear. At the end of their life, they sit in landfills for hundreds of years, never fully decomposing. Natural fibres, by contrast, are biodegradable—they don't just return safely to the earth, they nourish it, breaking down like compost to enrich the soil rather than polluting it for generations to come.
What are Microplastics and why should you care?
A single synthetic garment can release hundreds of thousands of microplastic fibres in just one wash. These invisible particles:
- Enter waterways and oceans
- Are consumed by marine life
- Make their way back into the food chain
- Accumulate in our bodies
- Never fully break down
Choosing natural fibres is one of the simplest ways to reduce plastic pollution and protect your health — without sacrificing style or comfort.
Are Natural Fibres Really Better for Your Body?
Your skin is your largest organ — and what you wear sits against it all day.
Natural fibres are biologically compatible with the human body. They allow your skin to breathe, regulate temperature and stay comfortable across seasons.
Benefits you'll feel immediately when choosing 100% Natural Fibres:
- Better airflow and breathability
- Improved temperature regulation
- Reduced sweating and odour
- Less irritation and skin sensitivity
Synthetic fabrics, by contrast, trap heat and moisture against your skin—creating an environment that can aggravate skin conditions, cause discomfort, and leave you feeling clammy. It's your body telling you something isn't right.
What's the Difference Between Natural and Synthetic Fabrics?
| Natural Fibres | Synthetic Fibres |
|---|---|
| Breathable | Trap heat |
| Biodegradable | Plastic-based |
| Temperature regulating | Sweat-inducing |
| Age beautifully | Break down over time |
| Lower environmental impact | Shed microplastics |
Once you experience high-quality natural fibres, it's difficult to go back.
Can Swimwear Be Sustainable?
Here's where it gets interesting. Traditional swimwear is made from polyester and spandex—both synthetic, petroleum-based materials.
We've chosen REPREVE® for our swimwear—the world's leading brand of recycled performance fibre. REPREVE® transforms plastic bottles into certified, traceable, high-performance yarn, giving existing plastic waste a second life instead of creating new petroleum-based materials.
By choosing REPREVE®, you're preventing plastic bottles from polluting our oceans, protecting marine ecosystems, and reducing plastic waste. It's the most responsible choice available until truly natural, high-performance swimwear alternatives exist.
Want to know more about how REPREVE® transforms plastic bottles into high-performance swimwear? We'll dive deeper into the process in an upcoming post.
How Do You Build a Capsule Wardrobe from Natural Fibres?
Natural fibres don't just feel better—they last longer and look better over time.
Rather than chasing trends, we believe in building a capsule wardrobe of considered pieces designed to be worn for years, not seasons. Start with quality over quantity: choose classic, versatile styles in natural fibres that work across your wardrobe and transcend seasons and trends.
High-quality linen softens with every wash. Merino and cashmere adapt to your body and regulate temperature across seasons. These aren't just clothes—they're investments that age beautifully and at their natural end of life return to the earth to nourish the soil rather than pollute it for generations to come.
This is slow fashion—intentionally made, intentionally chosen.
How Do You Find Brands That Don't Blend with Plastic?
It shouldn't be this hard—but it is. Especially when even luxury brands are quietly blending synthetics into their collections.
We made a conscious decision early on to be your go to for classic styles in natural fibres. Pure natural fibres like linen, cashmere, merino, and organic cotton. Specifically chosen to work with your body and the planet.
Every Le Edit piece is designed to:
- Respect the environment
- Support your wellbeing
- Fit seamlessly into a timeless, versatile capsule wardrobe
We believe clothing should work with nature—not against it. And we believe you deserve transparency, not guesswork, when choosing what to wear.
Where Do You Begin?
Sustainability doesn't require perfection. It starts with intention. You don't have to overhaul your entire wardrobe overnight.
Start small, with just one piece when you're ready for your next purchase. A single swap from synthetic to natural. Small changes add up:
- One linen shirt instead of polyester
- A cashmere knit that won't loose its shape and lasts years, not seasons
- Organic cotton basics that feel better on your skin
- Less plastic in your wardrobe, less microplastics on your skin and in the world
Every choice matters. And every choice makes the next one easier.
What's Next in the Series?
This article is the first in our Natural Fibre Series, where we'll explore each fibre in depth along with its benefits:
- Cashmere
- Linen
- Organic cotton
- Merino
- Denim
- Leather
Plus:
- Natural skincare and why it matters
Each article designed to help you make more informed choices — and build a wardrobe that feels as good as it looks.
Explore our natural fibre collections: Discover timeless pieces crafted from cashmere, linen, organic cotton and merino at www.leedit.co