Low-Impact Fabrics
With High-Impact Benefits

Low-Impact Fabrics With High-Impact Benefits

At Fair Harbor, our responsible design process begins with materials that are sustainable, soft, and stand the test of time

Almost 60% of a garment's environmental impact occurs before the clothes have actually been made. The raw-material stage, where fibers are processed and fabric is manufactured, can be the toughest on the planet. That's why we source innovative, sustainable materials and partner with responsible factories to reduce our environmental footprint. These are some of the earth-friendly fabrics we use to create our incredibly soft performance styles.

Organic Cotton

It takes about 700 gallons of water to produce one cotton shirt. That's enough water for one person to drink at least eight cups per day for three-and-a-half years, according to the World Resources Institute. However, the organic cotton we use in our Driftwood Denim and Saltaire Collection is typically cultivated using rainwater, which conserves water resources. 

The benefits continue beyond there. Composting and cover cropping farming also reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and pesticide-free crops create healthier soil than conventional cotton. That's why starting in Fall 2024, we're shifting all of the eco-friendly BCI cotton we use in our collection to the even more impactful 100% organic cotton.

Recycled Polyester

You might not notice the difference between recycled polyester and conventional virgin polyester when you feel it, but the difference in the environment is palpable. Both are lightweight, durable, and quick-drying, but virgin polyester is made from fossil fuels—oil, gas, and coal—and is responsible for 3-4% of global greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to climate change. 

Recycled polyester, like the kind used in everything from our Anchor Short to our SeaBreeze Hoodie, has a lower environmental impact than virgin polyester because it's produced from post-consumer plastic waste. As more than 450 million tons of plastic are produced globally every year, recycled polyester helps reduce the amount of plastic piling up in landfills that are destined for oceans. We've already repurposed more than 35 million plastic bottles to make recycled polyester for our clothing.

Recycled Nylon

Recycled nylon has all the same characteristics as conventional nylon: both are lightweight, durable, and quick-drying. But manufacturing new nylon from petroleum pollutes the planet. 

Using recycled nylon from post-consumer waste, such as fishing nets and carpet fibers, diverts waste from landfills and reduces the demand for new nylon production, saving significant amounts of resources and energy. 

Designing with recycled nylon also encourages a circular economy, where materials are reused and recycled to minimize environmental impact. We're proud to use this eco-friendly alternative in our Bungalow Trunks and Corliss Shorts.

Seawool

It's difficult to imagine how discarded oyster shells and recycled plastic bottles could combine to make an unbelievably soft fabric that's silkier than conventional wool. But Seawool is made from pulverized post-consumer shells and recycled nylon to create a unique material that's not only supple but breathable, antibacterial, anti-static, and insulating. 

Instead of piling up in a landfill, shells discarded by the food industry get a second life through this sustainable and innovative material that performs as good or better than natural wool. Seawool outperforms wool at moisture management and thermoregulation, which means it keeps you warm but also lets hot air escape when you need it. We use this innovative, itch and irritation-free fabric to make our silky, high-performance Larchmont Quarter Zip and Neptune Sweater.

Tencel

This sustainable material made from the cellulose in beech trees is ultra soft yet durable—and better for the environment than conventional cotton. When it comes to performance, Tencel is absorbent, breathable, and less prone to fading than other fabrics, even after repeated washing, which makes it a perfect material for our SeaBreeze Henley and SeaBreeze Hoodie.

These bio-based fibers are manufactured in an environmentally responsible production process that uses a closed-loop production system requiring less water, energy, and chemicals. Best of all, Tencel is certified biodegradable and compostable to break down at the end of its life cycle.

We prioritize sustainability in everything we do, so our brand is committed to using materials with the lowest social and environmental impact. These earth-friendly fabrics are just the beginning. We're looking forward to introducing more material innovation with each season and finding ways to protect the planet for future generations.