Buy Better Clothes: The Fabric Guide I Wish I Had Years Ago

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For 25% off your first order of Ritual https://ritual.com/LauraVonV25 Thanks Ritual for sponsoring a portion of this video! * These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. A little Fabric 101, if you will. This video was absolutely fascinating to put together — but I’ll admit, the tier ranking format stirred more confusion than I anticipated (especially around cotton). If I do a follow-up, I might skip the rankings entirely. To be clear: I love cotton. The vast majority of my wardrobe is cotton. But in 2025, it's also at the center of some of fashion’s biggest challenges — from overproduction and soil depletion to textile waste and climate impact. Every fabric on this list carries its own baggage — whether environmental, ethical, or just plain practical. Reducing them down to a good/better/best scale doesn’t fully capture the nuance. But I hope this video gives you a helpful starting point for understanding what you’re wearing — and maybe what’s worth wearing long term. Sorry again on the confusion with Lenzing. The history is so wild, I wish I had spent a little more time with those corrections. Sources: Lenzing history - https://www.lenzing.com/about-us/history/ Rayon - https://www.theguardian.com/fashion/2022/aug/20/rayon-unravelled-fashions-most-confusing-fibre-has-a-dark-past-but-hopeful-future https://www.cbc.ca/radio/thecurrent/the-current-for-february-9-2017-1.3972476/why-rayon-is-killing-industry-workers-author-paul-blanc-1.3972480 Instagram https://www.instagram.com/lauravonv/ Business Inquiries [email protected] FTC - Please note: This list contains affiliate links. Meaning I get a small kickback for clicks and purchases - Some of my favorite stores to shop for quality clothing - Start at a Thrift Store!!! - Seriously so much quality is pre-loved and still in great shape. Quince - https://quince.sjv.io/5gN5QL - I love them for career wear and good affordable knitwear and cashmere/wool. They aren't perfect, and I have had a few misses with them - most notably on pants (if they started making pants with wool or more cotton I'd be all over them) UNIQLO - https://go.shopmy.us/p-5436012 - This has been my goto for almost a decade now. They are arguably fast fashion, but I think they are very innovative and research intensive. Something most modern day conglomerate fashion brands are missing. They lead with functionality and durability. One read through of any of their Lifewear Magazine edits and you will quickly get the feel that they take this all very seriously. eBay - https://go.shopmy.us/p-5436094 - I'm a bit biased on this one because I also sell on ebay, but if you don't enjoy the thrill of the hunt with thrifting...then ebay should be your main source for secondhand. I regularly go on liking sprees of designers that are wayyyyy out of my price budget because you never know when you might get a fantastic offer. Most niche designers that are making incredible quality items are severely underpriced on ebay. Etsy - https://go.shopmy.us/p-5436119 - This is a tough one....the market has changed so much and the fear of getting a cheap drop shipped item is real. But if you really dig deep into the seller and what they do, you can find incredible made to fit items, natural fibers that are impossible to find in any retail store, and super rare vintage items. Alex Mill - https://go.shopmy.us/p-12974841 - I love this brand, but it is very much out of my personal price point. So I thrift it and get very excited on the few occasions I've found it. They make quality items with a fun twist and pops of color. Plus following them on instagram has taught me a lot about the behind the scenes manufacturing process. I scream from the roof tops that we need more transparency, and this is a brand that provides it. - I'll continue to update this list as I find things that I think are noteworthy - Ongoing Discount Codes - Ultrahuman Ring Air - Laur10 gets you 10% off - http://ultrahuman.com/LauraM 7or9 Metallic Ballet Flats - https://go.shopmy.us/p-5602390 - Use code LAURAV15 at checkout How I care for my wool and cashmere Wool and Cashmere Shampoo - https://bit.ly/3Qvnk81 MY YOUTUBE ESSENTIALS Epidemic Sound (Where I find all of my music) - https://www.epidemicsound.com/referral/wqh4ke Vlog Camera - https://bit.ly/3SkeZpO Main Camera - https://bit.ly/3qJtfte Mic - https://bit.ly/3mQwgXM Shot on Canon EOS r + Sony ZV 1 + iphone Edited in Premiere Pro