Suitable
What is bamboo clothing?
Although bamboo looks like a tree, it is actually a type of grass. Growing almost a metre a day, it is one of the fastest-growing plants in the world. Bamboo is best known for its robust, hollow stems, from which furniture, fences and scaffolding are made, but also clothing. For textiles almost always Moso bamboo is used, a species that is also on the giant panda's menu; however, the bamboo for clothing comes from planted fields and not from the panda's habitat.
How is bamboo clothing made?
Bamboo can be processed into textiles in several ways. The most common method yields bamboo viscose. For this, the harvested stems are first pulverised into a paste. Chemically treating that paste releases the cellulose, which is then spun into fibres. Garments are then made from that yarn, such as basic T-shirts and boxer shorts.
Properties of bamboo clothing
Bamboo clothing has become more popular among men in recent years, mainly because of the wearing comfort. The fabric is soft and feels pleasant on the skin, which you notice immediately with bamboo underwear. The fibre is fine and light, so clothing made of bamboo viscose breathes and wicks moisture away quickly. The fabric also holds on to odours less, even with intensive use. The drawback is that bamboo viscose is sensitive to wear and creases, so follow the instructions on the label and store the garments carefully.
Is bamboo clothing sustainable?
The plant itself scores well: bamboo reaches full maturity within a few months and generally grows without pesticides and artificial fertiliser, which makes cultivation considerably less burdensome than that of cotton, for example. The caveat lies in the processing. Chemicals are involved in turning bamboo stems into usable fibres, and that step makes the difference between a sustainable raw material and a sustainable garment. Production methods that handle this more carefully now exist, but that is not yet the standard everywhere. So look out for labels if you care about this.