Why Tencel clothes for women make sense
What is Tencel® fabric?
Tencel® (also known as lyocell) is a completely sustainable fabric that's generated from the wood cellulose of farmed eucalyptus trees. It's similar in its hand to rayon and bamboo, but it eliminates the environmental negatives of those fabrics. Sympatico’s Tencel clothing is blended with hemp—a highly sustainable, natural fiber in its own right. Read on to learn more about women's Tencel fashions and why they make sense for the planet and for you.
How is Tencel sustainably grown?
Unlike rayon and bamboo, Tencel’s supply chain is transparent. It is obtained from eucalyptus trees that are grown on farms—no old growth forests, genetic manipulation, irrigation, nor pesticides are used. These forests and the pulp produced for Tencel have earned Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification that the products come from socially and environmentally responsible forests. The European Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification has also endorsed Tencel's farming practices as sustainable.
Anastasia models a hemp and Tencel Swallowtail Top that feels good and is good for the Earth.
Why is Tencel a better choice than conventionally grown rayon?
Tencel has some distinct advantages over traditional rayon. Rayon manufacturing generates highly polluting air and water emissions and uses polluting agents containing cobalt or manganese. Processing rayon causes a strong, unpleasant odor.
Related: What's so great about Tencel (and hemp)!
What makes Tencel fabric processing environmentally friendly?
The ground pulp used to make Tencel is treated in what is known as a closed loop process in which non-toxic organic solvents are recycled with a recovery rate of 99.5% and bleach is not required. The tiny amount of remaining emissions is decomposed in biological purification plants. The fabric manufacturing process was awarded the European Award for the Environment by the European Union.
TENCEL® fabric carries the Oeko Tex 100 certification, an international standard developed in 1992 to certify that it contains no harmful substances. Tencel also has been awarded the European Community Eco-label flower for products and services with reduced environmental impacts.
Anastasia’s Princess Top is handcrafted in the U.S. from an earth-friendly hemp/Tencel blend.
Tencel clothes for women are awesomely comfortable
Tencel fibers are spun into yarns and then woven into textiles that are soft, absorbent, very strong when wet or dry, resistant to wrinkles and drape well. Tencel lends these qualities to the fabrics with which it is blended. It is often blended with natural fabrics such as hemp, cotton and wool.
Sympatico’s collection of tops, pants, and skirts is made from a blend of Tencel and hemp that combines the best qualities of both textiles.
