O2wear australian bamboo basics
BAMBOO CLOTHING
O2wear Australia specialises in bamboo fibre base layers for women. If you’re after seriously soft fabric that feels great against your skin, bamboo clothing is the perfect choice. In recent years, bamboo fabric has become increasingly common, with applications ranging from hygiene and medical products to home furnishings, however bamboo clothes are by far the most popular use. You can check out our full range of bamboo products here and buy from our secure online store.
Eco-friendly: Bamboo clothing is synonymous with eco-fashion. Bamboo fibre is considered to be eco-friendly for a number of reasons, however the main reason bamboo clothing is considered eco friendly and organic is because of the raw material – bamboo plants. Bamboo is a very hardy crop. It requires no irrigation and no fertilisers or pesticides to grow. Within 3-4 years it is ready for harvesting and can be continually reharvested. Crops of bamboo yield significantly more than both wool or cotton crops. All of these factors contribute to bamboo fibre being considered a sustainable, versatile and eco-friendly resource for clothing. You can read a more extensive review of bamboo and the manufacturing process in our bamboo fibre page, or read about organic clothing.
Softness: Bamboo fibre is exceptionally soft so it feels great against your skin. While the plant itself may not seem like it would make for soft clothing, the process of extracting bamboo cellulose and converting it into fibre results in a very smooth and soft yarn. This yarn is weaved into the fabric used for bamboo clothing. You can buy bamboo clothing from our secure online store.
Sensitive Skin: Many people with sensitive skin report that clothes made from bamboo are far less irritating to the skin than other traditional fabrics. The smooth rounded fibres of bamboo viscose significantly reduce irritation, making it a good choice for those who suffer from allergies, in particular eczema. Bamboo fabric doesn’t require any chemical treatments to give it its antibacterial characteristics and this is one factor that is attributed to its popularity among people with sensitive skin. All our products are certified with the Okeo-Tex 100 Standard ensuring that no residual chemicals or harmful elements are present in the fabric used for manufacturing our garments.
Easy Care: O2wear bamboo clothing is both colour fast and machine washable. A gentle tumble dry or cool iron can also be used if necessary but you should find that the bamboo fabric is relatively quick drying and wrinkle resistant. Read more on our product care page.
Moisture Wicking: Bamboo fibre is very popular because of its moisture wicking properties. With almost twice the moisture transfer rate of cotton, it is an ideal fabric for clothing worn directly against the skin. The use of bamboo fibre in sportswear, yoga clothing and high performance active wear has also increased due to this unique property.
Biodegradable: As a natural product derived from plants, bamboo fibre is biodegradable. Having reached their useful life, products made from bamboo can be composted and disposed of in an organic and eco-friendly manner. Synthetic fibres such as nylon or rayon remain in landfill for a significantly longer time. Read more on our organic clothing page.
UV Protection: Bamboo clothing is proven to have superior UV protecting qualities. While some studies have questioned the extent to which bamboo clothing is UV resistant, a recent study by Deakin University found bamboo fabric is 60% better than cotton at protecting the wearer from the sun’s harmful UV rays. Find links to the Deakin University study, and read more at our links & resources page.
Breathability: Because it is derived from plant fibres, bamboo clothing is significantly more breathable than traditional fibres and synthetics. Clothing made from bamboo is naturally temperature regulating, meaning it is cool to wear in summer, and a warm underlayer for winter. Check out our online store where you can buy bamboo clothing.
Insulating: Bamboo is a naturally insulating fibre. When woven into fabric, bamboo clothing helps to trap a small layer of air against the skin. This layer acts as insulation, helping to keep the wearer cool in the hot weather, and warm during winter. Bamboo is nature’s solution to comfort in any season. You can read more about organic and environmentally friendly clothing from our bamboo links & resources page.
Antibacterial: Many manufacturers report that bamboo clothing is antibacterial and antifungal. This claim stems from the bamboo plant itself. As bamboo grows organically, without the need for pesticides or fertilisers due to its inherent antibacterial characteristics, by extension bamboo clothing is thought to possess these same characteristics. Tests however haven’t substantiated these claims conclusively. Read more on our organic clothing page. Bamboo fibre may not be any more antibacterial than other fabrics, however there is a suggestion that bamboo clothing is particularly suited to adults and babies with sensitive skin and this may be in part due to superior antibacterial properties – so the jury is still out!
THE BOTTOM LINE
While bamboo clothing has many great benefits and is grown in an eco-friendly and organic manner, there is still some debate as to what extent bamboo really is eco-friendly. This is because of the manufacturing process, during which chemicals are used in the course of turning the bamboo pulp into fibre. So while bamboo clothing may not be wholly environmentally friendly, it does go a long way to improving upon more traditional water intensive crops such as cotton. And of course, it’s a great fabric that is not only breathable, moisture wicking and easy-care, it’s incredibly soft and looks great to wear. Check out our full range of bamboo clothing in our secure online store.
And just in case you were wondering: Pandas in the wild like to eat about twenty-five types of bamboo. They don’t like Moso, the one used for bamboo clothing. To read more about the bamboo itself, have a read of our bamboo fibre page, or learn about organic clothing.
- it’s quite cool to see the kind of prices bamboo clothing sells for, O2wear create basic garments such as leggings and camisoles, their bamboo leggins are $39.99AUD and $29.99AUD for camisoles, seems pretty reasonable for a good quality, silky soft garment.
