In the 1970s some really bad fiber choices were made. Americans were moving away from the all-natural choices like cotton that the flower children embraced and becoming overly excited about new choices like the polyester leisure suit and Qiana for women's formal dresses.

Unfortunately for the planet, all of those suits and dresses are probably still in a landfill somewhere because it takes about 200 years for manmade fibers to biodegrade.

Outerwear

Surprisingly, the majority of winter coats still have manmade outer shells even if the lining or filling is natural. The outer material of these coats may have fancy names to connote their ability to stand up to harsh weather, but they are still made in labs and will still be plaguing the earth for generations.

Not only that, but the inner filling of many winter coats is down. Down is the inner layer of feathers, mainly from geese. Before demand was so high, down was obtained from geese that had been killed for food. Unfortunately, a lot of the down needed today is obtained in extremely cruel methods while the geese are still living.

On the other hand, the best choice for cold weather outerwear will always be wool. A wool jacket can bridge several seasons, is naturally water repellent and will wear well over the years. The best part is that wool is natural so it will biodegrade.

Wool is also sustainable. Every year sheep produce a new coat of wool and they have to be shorn or soon they will not be able to move from the weight of it.

Not only is wool a great fiber for outerwear, but it is also being used for footwear, and of course, knitters have always valued wool for sweaters, mittens and hats.

Professional Clothes

Linen is an excellent choice for everyday career wear. Linen comes from the flax plant and has been woven into fabric since England's Stone Age. Linen was the primary material worn for centuries and is starting to have a comeback.

Since linen is a natural fiber, it is breathable and has a beautiful sheen. It is just as appropriate for office wear as it is for beachwear. It adjusts body temperature well and many believe it even has healing abilities and can improve and prevent such things as rashes. Linen is still the choice of material for bandages because of its antibacterial properties.

Linen, like wool, will last for many years and then biodegrade when its usefulness as clothing has ended.

Casual Clothing

Cotton has always been a good choice for lightweight, breathable clothing. Like linen and wool, it's sustainable and biodegradable. However, two new fibers are currently giving cotton some competition.

Bamboo is being used for everything from reusable straws to clothing to paper towels. Bamboo is, of course, biodegradable but it is also one of the most sustainable materials on the planet because of its growth rate.

It is also lightweight and breathable when turned into fabric. Because of its quick replenishment, bamboo items tend to be inexpensive but they are also durable.

Another such material is hemp. Hemp fiber has always been used to make strong but rough items such as rope. Modern methods, however, can make hemp into a more wearable fabric. It is even possible to produce a smooth and silky material from hemp fiber.

With the many superior and long-lasting choices possible, there is no reason to purchase anything made of manufactured material. Natural fibers are the best choice, not only for the wearer but also for the planet.  They outperform any man made material and simply biodegrade when their usefulness is over.