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.

biodegradable

keeping things biodegradable, obviously natural bamboo fibre is, silk also is as it comes from a natural source (silk worm).

100% cotton thread is biodegradable, just looking into bamboo thread at the moment.. unsure what it’s strengths etc are.

silk thread?

Packaging - Bags

I have been thinking about how I would wish to have my collection packaged, whether it is bamboo paper/box/bags.

I then also thought that bamboo bags could be an accessory, whether it was like a handbag or more of a sustainable tote - shopping bag.

I like the idea that if you receive something sustainable, the package it comes in is also biodegradable/recyclable, or that it is something nice that you can keep and use

http://www.nzbagit.co.nz/products/?productCatalogID=3514 - some cool info on bamboo

http://bamboo-bag.com/producebags.html

bamboo knits…

but late for this, but I’ve been struggling with the idea o using bamboo as a fabric, which is mostly knit/jersey when I am also trying to use sculptural/tailored elements..

Quite cool though, knitting with bamboo yarn, to create something that looks quite sculptural

note though - bamboo has anti-bacterial properties, perfect for my garments, I am looking at leggings and under garments at the moment, so bamboo is a great choice of fabric, especially when worn close to skin

http://www.craftycrafty.tv/2009/02/knitting_bamboo_from_bam_boo.html

Knitting bamboo from bam boo

I love this idea! It’s a scarf, knitted in a bamboo pattern that’s actually made from the bamboo yarn, bam boo. Just look at the perfect regularity of the pattern - it’s wonderfully sculptural, just like the plant itself!

Bamboo is a bit of a wonder-fabric for two main reasons: firstly, it has naturally antibacterial properties, so it’s perfect for making garments that sit close to the skin. Secondly, it’s quite incredibly green: bamboo is one of the fastest growing plants on the planet, and thrives in harsh environments, meaning it can be cultivated on otherwise barren land. It also has very little need for pesticides, so almost all bamboo you buy is organic. If that’s sold you, you can order bam boo yarn from Elite Yarns Inc.

BAMBOO - fabric

Bamboo is an enduring natural resource, and a critical element of the economy, an ancient medicine and integrally involved in culture and the arts.

Bamboo is 100% biodegradable as it is naturally grown, without assistance from man, thriving naturally without using any pesticides or fertilizers. 100% sustainable, bamboo is one of the fastest growing plants in the world.

It is these reasons that Bamboo is becoming increasingly popular in the world of fashion, it is a luxurious fabric and feels amazing to wear, all the while being completely sustainable, anti-bacterial and so on.

http://www.greenearthbamboo.com - this is one of the many great websites I’ve come across, the internet has so much information, just depends on how much time you have to filter through it all! I feel like I could spend so much longer on this project and could have gone down so many paths, including assignment one, hopefully I will get a chance to revisit this all one day as I still don’t feel very clear about everything

Anyway, I have just been reading about Bamboo as a fibre and this study done on bamboo socks, and how some one with awful foot problems of swelling and sweating tried bamboo socks and said the difference was like ‘night and day’.

‘Bamboo fiber has particular and natural functions of anti-bacteria, bacteriostasis and deodorization. It is validated by Japan Textile Inspection Association that, even after fifty times of washing, bamboo fiber samples still possesses excellent function of anti-bacteria, bacteriostasis. Its test result shows over 70% death rate after bacteria being incubated on bamboo fiber samples. Bamboo fibers natural anti-bacteria function differs greatly from that of chemical anti-microbial. The latter often tend to cause skin allergy when added to apparel..’(http://www.greenearthbamboo.com/Articles.asp?ID=132)

I want to design Bamboo under garments for my collection, as a way to eliminate bacteria, and hopefully this will keep the outer-wear cleaner, which means less washing over all.
- Bamboo contains a natural agent called bamboo kun which requires no harmful chemicals to prevent bacteria and fungus from cultivating on it–keeping the fabric odor free. This allows for less washing which saves on energy, time and money.

I find bamboo such an interesting fibre, the more I learn about it I realise what an amazing material it could be, especially in the sustainable world. I am looking at trying to make my garments biodegradable, Bamboo is, and silk is as well, but it the digital printing that I am trying to find out if there are biodegradable dyes…. Hopefully if not now, one day there will be!

One problem I am having with using bamboo is the fact that it is mostly jersey knits, and I am trying to do tailored/structural garments, and then that it isn’t quite thick enough to be an outer layer.

I also haven’t been able to come across any bamboo fabric in Wellington, I got a sample of Viscose/Lycra from Global, which was the closest they had to simulate the feel of a bamboo fibre so I have been using that as a resource. There are some websites that have woven bamboo fabrics (mainly international) but it’s hard to know what they would feel like or what they would be suitable for..

sweat stuff

As a part of keeping sustainable aspect I have been looking at durability of clothing (green shield)

Thinking of places in the body that produce the most bacteria/ are closest to the skin, so the armpits etc, in terms of smell etc, they are the places that create the need to excess wash clothing.

I am thinking of creating some sort of insert or detachable part to my garments in the under arm areas, so that part can be removed and washed separately, needing less water/soaps, or using fabrics that require less washing..

http://inventorspot.com/articles/sweat_proof_fabrics_biomimic_reponse_pine_cone_humidity_30937

http://www.thefrisky.com/2009-08-06/advances-in-textiles-to-produce-sweat-proof-fabrics-please-say-yes/

durability

i have kind of switched sustainable paths at the moment and have been looking into durability of garments/fabric instead of so much the materials being used.

obviously, clothes that are closest to your body, especially in areas such as the armpits and crotch, get dirtier faster and need more washing, which has a larger effect on the environment and also wears out the garment faster.

looking into sweat resistant fabrics, so far i think there is only research going on, MMT textiles, who also looked at the Lotus leaf effect (stain/dirt proof) are researching the Pine cone effect.

Pine cones absorb moisture, becoming more dense, and then release it back into the environment in a dryer area. this is still being researched and studied, but hopefully will be available one day soon! however, i’m not sure how it works in terms of cleanliness, possibly if sweat etc is being absorbed, the garment will become smellier?

http://www.mmttextiles.com/technology.shtml

Bamboo Clothing

http://www.bamboobody.com.au/Men-c21/

http://www.nznature.co.nz/category/outerwear         

- NZ website, using a lot of natural/organic fibres

Green Shield fabric finish

As a part of sustainability I have been looking into fabric durability or fabric that stays cleaner for longer. This is to reduce the amount of washing needed (waste of water) and expand the life time of the garment.

‘Mimicking the water-repellent, self-cleaning function of a leaf’s surface, the GreenShield finish prevents liquids and stains from adhering to the fabric, causing them to bead up and roll off the surface.’ ( http://www.textileworld.com/Articles/2008/August_2008/Departments/QFOM_August.html )

Green Shield fabric finish is a finishing treatment that can be applied to fabric. It uses biomimicry and copies the lotus leaf which repels oil and water, and prevents bacteria and stains.

It is the most environmentally friendly stain preventative out there, reducing harmful chemicals by 8-10 times.

The GreenShield finish can go on any fabric that can safely pass through the curing process at greater than 250 degrees Fahrenheit temperature.

http://greenshieldfinish.com/index.html