OUR MATERIALS
Natural fabrics are at the heart of POETRY. We believe great clothing is about more than how it looks - how it’s made, and what it’s made from, is incredibly important. The yarns and fabrics we use in our collections are carefully created to make garments that feel luxurious to wear and will be enjoyed for years to come. We use almost entirely natural fibres in our collections, representing 99.64% of the materials we use. Everything we do is based on the belief that natural fibres make better clothes.
Only garments made from natural fibres gain more character the longer they are used and adapt to its wearers’ shape and habits. They feel better, look more attractive and improve with wear - in stark contrast with synthetic fibres that, without exception, only get worse.
Our pursuit and exploration of natural fibres surround us with suppliers and makers with similar values bringing exceptional quality to everything we design and create. Many of our favourite fabrics, such as heavy linen for trousers which requires unusually coarse linen thread, or high twist linen fabric that provides an unusually lively feel, are materials we have developed by working closely with our suppliers who are absolute experts in their fields. Often, this expertise is part of their cultural heritage such as alpaca from Peru, silk from China or embroidery from India. There cannot be enough said of the care, expertise, and sheer knowledge that the people making POETRY’s fabric and clothes have. We will always use the best version of the material instead of taking shortcuts to reduce the price.
The POETRY brand was created long before the harmful impact of the fashion industry was widely known, but our love for nature and our long-term values have been with us since the beginning. Although there are no easy answers to the best way the fashion industry can reduce its impact, we believe that using only natural fibres in clothing with enduring appeal is one of the best ways to enjoy fashion with the least environmental impact. Where possible, we also reduce the impact by choosing organically or responsibly grown fibres that travel the least distance to the manufacturing sites. Above all, the personal philosophy of POETRY’s founder - “buy once, buy best” is applied by designing high-quality clothes.
We take pride in pushing the boundaries of how natural fabrics look and feel and enjoy every part of the process.
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Some of our favourite materials
Linen, POETRY’s signature material, is a fibre made from the stalks of the flax plant, grown mainly in France and Belgium. Flax requires minimal fertilisers or pesticides and thrives on rainwater alone making it naturally one of the most environmentally friendly fibres. We are proud to be using linen in innovative ways such as high twist linen, linen jersey, knitwear and cleverly designed custom weaves created by our in-house textile designer.
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The sweet combination of hemp and organic cotton, results in hemp providing texture and a dry feel whilst cotton adds softness. Hemp is a sister fibre to linen, sharing similar cultivation and processing methods, being exceptionally resilient, durable and benefiting the land on which it grows. We combine it with organic cotton grown in farms that take care of the soil, ecosystem and people by relying on biodiversity and local natural cycles. This versatile blend is used in relaxed jerseys, patterned woven and indigo fabrics and even corduroys.
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We source only the highest-quality Grade A cashmere with an exceptionally fine diameter of 15.5 microns and a fibre length of 34–36 mm. The fine diameter ensures exceptional softness, while the long fibre length improves yarn strength and enhances the durability of the finished garment. Our cashmere knitwear styles are knitted on a higher tension meaning the garments are not sheer and have a truly luxurious feel.
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Silk is a luxurious fibre harvested from the delicate cocoons of silkworms that feed exclusively on mulberry leaves. Our mulberry silk comes from Zhejiang Province, China, renowned for its exceptional silk quality and considered the cradle of silk production in the country. We use luxurious 14 momme weight for our styles (the higher the momme, the heavier the silk) and to achieve the crêpe de chine effect the silk yarn is spun with a high twist, resulting in one of our favourite fabrics with an elegant matte and textured hand feel.
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Alpaca is an animal fibre derived from South American camelids (similar to llamas) that have been bred for their luxurious fibre since ancient times. Like sheep, alpacas are sheared once a year by professional shearers in a procedure that takes only a few minutes. All our alpaca fibres are sourced and spun exclusively in Peru. Incredibly soft, our alpaca knitwear includes textured yarns, boucle and creative natural fibre blends.
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Organic cotton is grown using less water and less energy than conventional cotton and is grown without using artificial fertilisers, pesticides or genetically modified seeds. It therefore not only benefits the environment but also the health of farmers and the communities as they and their land are not exposed to harsh chemicals. More than half of our cotton is organic, widely used in knitwear and jersey styles.
Viscose is man-made but natural, with cellulosic fibres created from processed wood pulp. The responsible production of LENZING™ ECOVERO™ fibres uses at least 50% less water and emits at least 50% less CO2 compared to generic viscose fibres, according to Higg MSI, thereby saving precious resources for future generations. Combined with linen it creates a weighty fabric with excellent drape and an interesting matte texture, one of our favourites for elevated blouses and dresses.
Our garment labels are made from 100% cotton, and we use buttons made exclusively from natural materials, including corozo, natural horn, mother-of-pearl, coconut shell, and occasionally metal for denim. Corozo buttons are crafted from tagua nuts sourced in Ecuador. Known as “vegetable ivory,” they are collected only after naturally falling, preserving the wild palm ecosystems while supporting rural communities. Natural horn buttons are made in India using by-product horns from the dairy and meat industries and are valued for their strength and one-of-a-kind natural patterns. Mother-of-pearl buttons, sourced from mollusc shells, lend a delicate shine to lightweight garments, continuing a tradition of natural button-making that predates plastic.
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Explore our Material Report to discover the detail behind our collections - from fibre compositions and quantities to the sourcing and stories behind each fabric.
MATERIAL REPORT
Journal
Step behind the scenes at POETRY and discover how we create our beautiful clothes, collaborate with our partners, and continually work to reduce our impact on the environment.
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Shop by Fabric
Explore our collections by fabric – from breathable linen and soft cotton to luxurious silk and cosy wool. Discover the natural materials we love to work with and find beautifully made clothes in the fabrics you love most.
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Our Story
Discover the story behind POETRY – from our passion for natural fabrics and thoughtful design to the people and processes that bring each collection to life. Learn how our values shape everything we do, season after season.
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