I've avoided synthetic fabrics for years. People used to think I was just being a woowoo anti-science luddite hippy (this was back before microplastics were a well-known phenomenon). But the fact is I just didn't like the texture of synthetics.

Here are some examples of natural fiber, all of which are lovely:

• Linen - made from flax; lightweight, airy, dries quickly. Great for summer.
• Bamboo - made from bamboo. Feels like a dream. Softer than cotton, lighter than linen, smooth as silk. Sustainable. Not even crazy expensive.
• Micromodal - made from beech trees. Similar to bamboo, but even softer.
• Rayon - made from cellulose. Often used in blends to impart softness and elasticity. Many different kinds. Bamboo and micromodal might technically be kinds of rayon. Also known as viscose.

Non-vegan:

• Sheep's wool - Many varieties. Soft, warm, comfortable even when wet. Great for winter (and hiking socks!). Can be felted due to the properties of the fiber. Comes in a range of qualities, but low quality wool can be itchy.
• Alpaca - Like wool, but softer, sturdier, and warmer. More expensive than wool.
• Kashmere - made from a species of goat fiber. Very very soft. Also expensive.
• Mohair - Different kind of goat wool. Haven't tried this one personally so I can't describe it.
• Angora - Made from rabbit wool! Also haven't tried this one, but supposedly it's very soft.
• Yak - Suuuper warm. Durable. Not as expensive as you might think.
• Silk - Soft, smooth, shiny. Also non-conductive and low-friction! Tends to be expensive, though.

And of course, cotton is versatile and has a wide range of qualities (depends on growing region, thread count, and processing methods. Pima and Egyptian cotton are supposed to be the highest quality, but are also more expensive. Organic cotton is best for the environment).

Here are just some examples of fabrics you can make with cotton:

• Jersey knit
• Terry cloth
• Flannel
• Denim
• Satin
• Muslin

Be sure to check the tags though: many "cotton blends" contain polyester, and often they label something "flannel" when it's just polyester with a plaid print (real flannel is a type of fabric, not the pattern on the cloth. If you can't see the individual threads that make up the pattern, it's not real flannel, just a print).

Final note: most fibers can be either knit or woven, with textures depending accordingly. There are sooo many different kinds of wovens, each with its own unique pattern. Could write a whole textbook just on different kinds of weave.

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