Soy Fabric is Soy Very Eco-Fabulous
I bet you never thought you'd wear your food. From your table to the clothing on your back, soy is an incredibly versatile plant and can be extremely eco-friendly.
Soy fabric is made from the waste by-product of manufacturing tofu. Soy proteins are spun into long fibers for use in the textile industry.
Soy first made its debut onto the fashion scene (believe it or not) in the 1930s. Henry Ford, fascinated by the versatility of soy, experimented with soy-based fabrics in his automobiles. In fact, Ford even had a soy fabric suit tailored for himself.
However, it wasn't until the late 1990s that soy fabrics reemerged into the fashion forefront. Chinese businessman and scientist, Li Guanqi, perfected the process to prevent soy threads from breaking and pilling, making soy fabrics a viable eco-friendly fashion resource.
Characteristics of Soy Fabrics
- Soft and supple
- Easy to care for
- Biodegradable
- Looks and feels similar to silk (sometimes referred to as "vegetable cashmere" or "soy silk")
- Resists wrinkling
- Moisture wicking
Like bamboo and other green-labeled fabrics, soy is questionably eco-friendly. Unless it is organically grown, soy farming uses pesticides and oftentimes, genetically-modified seeds. In addition, the chemical processes required to manufacture tofu waste into textile fibers are less than eco-friendly. However, as demand for soy fabrics and soy clothing increases, hopefully we will see positive changes to the soy manufacturing industry.
Getting Your Soy On
Soy fabrics are still fairly uncommon. Therefore, clothing is more on the expensive side. However, look for soy-organic cotton blends, which tend to be a little less costly. Also, keep your eyes peeled for sales--because once you get yourself into soy, it's hard to get out.
Both Nimli and The Green Loop offer a variety of eco-friendly fashion designers who work with soy fabric, including Lara Miller, Linda Loudermilk, Nature Vs. Future and more.
Gaiam carries their own line of soy clothing, ActiveSoy™. Check out their selection of active wear and basics.
Sierra Trading Post is another excellent online source for soy clothing. Their selection is constantly revolving, so make sure to check back often. Plus, with prices at up to 75% off retail, you'll be sure to find a fabulous deal.
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