A Message to You <3
Hi, I'm Celia, the creator of Lavendra. So happy you're here! I'm doing this because I believe that the clothes you wear dramatically affect your life every day. This is because they are not only touching your skin, but also because they help form your identity and how you feel about yourself. They play a big part in deciding how walk through each day. My mission is to help you find pieces that add to your life. Not everyone has time to scour the internet or thrift stores for the perfect dress, top, or skirt. That's what I'm here for!
Why Natural Fibers?
Since around the 1950's, synthetic materials have been used to create a large portion of the clothing worn by Americans. Synthetic materials such as nylon, viscose, rayon, polyester, and others, have many practical uses, and are more efficient and cost effective. The use of these materials has lead to greater accessibility of clothing to many people. Unfortunately, as science has progressed, some studies have shown that synthetic fabrics can have some negative health effects. The manufacturing process of polyester and other synthetics involves various chemicals that are known to cause cancer, respiratory issues, and skin irritation. Some evidence also shows that they might also disrupt our hormones.
Some of these chemicals include:
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Antimony
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Formaldehyde
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PFOA
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Petroleum
The production of synthetic fabrics is a resource intensive operation, consuming 70 million barrels of oil annually. This process not only consumes non-renewable energy, but it also releases toxins into the environment, impacting ecosystems and affecting biodiversity.
Additionally, when these materials are washed, they release microfibers into the water system. These tiny fibers often make it into waterways and oceans, and pass through water filtration systems. Contaminating drinking water and harming marine life.
There is so much to learn about these materials. Consider seeking further information to stay up to date on the latest research.
Natural fibers undergo a much different journey to become an item of clothing. Cotton and Linen both start as a plant, and are harvested and processed into thread which can then be made into clothes. Fibers that come from living things, such as silk and wool, can be harvested without harming the animal/silk worm.
Here are some good things about natural fibers/fabrics:
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Natural fibers biodegrade naturally, and fairly quickly. This makes them an eco-friendlier option to synthetic materials such as polyester, which can take hundreds of years to break down.
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They feel better on the skin. synthetic fabrics can be grabby and overstimulating when worn. Natural fibers like cotton and linen are very soft and can be worn close to the skin. Some types of wool can be a bit itchy and are best worn as outerwear.
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They are breathable, and can have moisture wicking properties. This helps keep your body dry and cool, or dry and warm!
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They don't make you feel overstimulated like some synthetic fabrics can. Have you ever had a sweater that was soft and pretty, but just made you feel overwhelmed? It was likely made of synthetic materials.
In 2025 there are many brands moving towards using natural fibers in their clothing and focusing more on sustainability. This is great news; however, the prices that come along with this movement can be a bit intimidating for those of us who are on a budget, but still want to make a change.
Why Second Hand/Sustainable Fashion?
Clothes have been made in factories in the US since around the 1800's. Since then, that industry has grown to $359 billion in 2025, with much of that revenue coming from the global apparel market. Many of the clothes you buy from popular stores are made and manufactured in other countries. Sadly, many factory workers all over the world are underpaid, abused, and exposed to toxic chemicals while at work. New styles and trends evolve every day, and there is a constant demand for new clothing to be made as cheaply and as fast as possible. This causes the industry to find new ways to be more efficient and produce higher numbers of items. The use of this system comes at great cost to the factory workers that support the industry, and to the environment. Old and out-of-date styles which may only be a few months old, are thrown away, creating more textile waste than the world has ever seen, and a mindset that encourages us to buy new clothing without thinking. It's important to remember that even in 2025, in an era where most of us have easy access to a wide range of brands and styles, that much effort has been made by many people for a piece of clothing to arrive at your front door, or land in your shopping cart.
Second-hand clothing offers numerous benefits including sustainability, cost savings, and an extended life cycle for clothing. What you'll find here are tastefully selected, natural fiber pieces. Since natural fibers tend to be more durable, and older pieces have already stood the test of time, you're getting the best of both worlds. You can have peace of mind knowing you're making a purchase with significantly less impact on the environment, and a positive impact on your health.
If you're interested in finding out more about synthetic fibers, or the history of the fashion industry, here are some resources:
Synthetic and Regenerated Fibers Manufacturing Process - Textile Learner
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