So you already know that bamboo is one of the most sustainable resources on the planet. But you might be surprised to learn that panda food is making inroads in your closet.
Bamboo fabric, a soft, rayon-like material made from the pulp of bamboo grass, is cropping up in clothing stores around Charlottesville. Stephanie Finn, manager of The Hip Joint, sells bamboo yoga-wear from brands like OMALA, be present, and Avani. “It’s really nice to wear to workout because it’s really wicking, so it pulls moisture away from your body,” says Finn. Since bamboo is naturally antimicrobial, its fabric is hypoallergenic and even helps mitigate body odor.
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Bamboo fabrics are showing up in yoga clothes, outdoor clothes and even sheets. |
On top of being wearer-friendly, bamboo is a more eco-friendly crop than cotton. But, like most cotton blends, converting bamboo into fabric usually involves a chemically intensive process that is less than sustainable.
Even so, “A lot more is made from bamboo than you realize these days,” says Sarah Stacy of EG clothing store. She’s right. Blue Ridge Mountain Sports carries North Face bamboo liner gloves. You can even find bamboo socks and sheets at Target. Just watch out for hungry pandas.—Kathryn Faulkner