Hemp clothing for women & men
What is hemp clothing?
Hemp clothing is woven from the bast fibers of the industrial hemp plant—not from its flowers or leaves. Industrial hemp contains practically no THC and has nothing to do with intoxicants. The fiber is one of humanity’s oldest textile materials: thousands of years ago, it was already being used to make ropes, sails, and clothing.
We have been working with hemp for years because we were able to accompany the plant in Northern Thailand and Nepal from sowing to finished fabric. You can see what this looks like on our In the Hemp Field page.
Table of Contents:
Benefits of Hemp Clothing
- Durability: Hemp fibers are among the strongest natural fibers. A hemp garment withstands significantly more washes than a comparable cotton garment.
- Moisture regulation: Hemp absorbs moisture without feeling clammy. In summer, this has a noticeably cooling effect.
- Odor-resistant: Hemp is less prone to developing odors. Often, airing it out is enough instead of washing it—good for the fabric and your water bill.
- Gets softer over time: Unlike many fibers, hemp does not wear out but opens up. After a few washes, the garment feels noticeably different than it did on the first day.
- Hardy to grow: Hemp grows quickly, requires little water, and generally does not need pesticides.
Disadvantages of Hemp Clothing—An Honest Look
This question is often asked and rarely answered. We think you should know what you are getting into before buying:
- Rougher at first. Pure hemp fabrics feel noticeably firmer than cotton when new. Anyone used to soft jersey fabrics will need to adjust. After three to five washes, the difference is largely gone.
- Wrinkles more. Hemp develops creases and keeps them. If you are looking for wrinkle-free clothing, this is not for you.
- More expensive. Processing is more complex and quantities are smaller than with cotton. This is reflected in the price.
- May shrink slightly. Hemp contracts somewhat during the first wash. That is why you should wash it cold and not put it in the dryer.
- Limited selection. There are simply fewer manufacturers. That is also why we often blend hemp with cotton, so we can produce certain cuts at all.
Our conclusion: Hemp is not a miracle material, but it is excellently suited to loose-fitting, long-lasting clothing. For close-fitting or particularly drapey garments, we use other fibers.
Hemp or Cotton: Which Is Better?
The answer depends on the garment.
Hemp wins in durability, moisture regulation, odor resistance, and cultivation—especially in terms of water consumption, where conventional cotton performs very poorly.
Cotton wins in softness from day one, variety of cuts, and price.
That is why we often work with blended fabrics. A cotton-hemp blend combines the softness of one fiber with the durability of the other—and is the best solution for many of our harem pants.
Hemp Clothing for Women
For women, we offer hemp clothing primarily in pants, tops, and shoes. Our short harem pants made from a cotton-hemp blend are particularly popular—light enough for summer, yet durable enough for festivals and travel. Our hemp ballerinas and slip-ons pair well with them.
You can find all models in our Women’s Clothing category.
Hemp Clothing for Men
For men, the main items are pants, shirts, jackets, and shoes. Our Baja-style hemp jacket is lined with cotton and will accompany you through the transitional seasons. Our short harem pants are also available in a cotton-hemp blend.
You can find all models in our Men’s Clothing category.
Hemp Shoes and Bags
Because of its durability and dirt-repellent properties, hemp is ideal for shoes and bags. Our hemp shoes for men and hemp shoes for women are available as slip-ons, espadrilles, and ballerinas.
We also offer backpacks, shoulder bags, and hemp belt bags—pieces that last for years and look better over time rather than worse.
Washing and Caring for Hemp Clothing
- Wash cold—30 degrees is enough and prevents shrinkage.
- Do not tumble-dry—air-dry, preferably on a hanger.
- Wash less often—in many cases, airing it out is enough because hemp hardly absorbs odors.
- Do not use fabric softener—hemp becomes softer on its own; fabric softener merely coats the fiber with a film.
- Iron while damp—if you want to iron it, do so while slightly damp at medium heat.
How Sustainable Is Hemp Really?
Hemp requires significantly less water to grow than conventional cotton and generally does not need pesticides because the plant grows quickly and naturally suppresses weeds. It also improves soil structure and can be used in crop rotations.
We still want to be honest: Hemp clothing is also transported, dyed, and processed. None of this is without an impact. We do what we can—we produce in small family-run businesses, ship carbon-neutrally, and disclose our figures in the Emissions Barometer.
Hemp clothing is part of our alternative clothing—and, for us, the most honest way to make long-lasting fashion.
