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Not all fabrics are created equal: Why I keep coming back to hemp

I fell into hemp through frustration.

Like a lot of people, I was tired of clothing that looked cute for five minutes and then pilled, stretched out, trapped sweat, held odors, or felt like wearing a plastic bag by the end of the day. I was tired of fast fashion and tired of feeling like “they just don’t make things like they used to.”

Then I started learning about hemp.

The funny thing is hemp isn’t new. It’s old. Really old. Humans have used hemp fiber for centuries because it is durable, practical, and naturally high-performing. We didn’t discover something trendy; we forgot something useful.

Here are a few reasons hemp keeps winning me over:

Breathable, without feeling flimsy
Hemp fibers are naturally breathable and moisture-wicking. That means less sticky, swampy, trapped feeling in summer and better comfort year-round.

Warm when it's cold. Cool when it's hot.
One of my favorite things about hemp is its thermoregulating quality. Customers describe it better than I can:

“My workplace is chilly. I wear a cotton uniform shirt and can’t wear a hoodie. I tested my Threads of Eden hemp top underneath with a cardigan. Not too cold, not too hot. I’m no longer left shivering.”

That Minnesota weather struggle is real: freezing office, warm parking lot, cold morning, sunny afternoon. Hemp shines in the in-between seasons.

Durable without feeling stiff
Hemp has a reputation for strength. There’s a reason it was used historically in rope and work textiles. Modern hemp knits aren’t the scratchy burlap people imagine. They soften beautifully over time and are made to live life in.

Less laundry? Yes please.
Hemp has natural antimicrobial properties, which means many pieces stay fresher longer. Sometimes a garment genuinely just needs fresh air overnight instead of another trip through the wash.

Kinder to the earth
Hemp generally requires less water than many conventional crops, naturally resists many pests, and grows quickly. I love beautiful clothing, but I also want clothing that doesn’t ask us to ignore the bigger picture.

Maybe that’s why I keep coming back to hemp.

Not because it’s trendy. Not because it’s perfect.

Because it feels a little like going back to the way clothing was meant to be.

—Laura

I’ve been thinking about something:

Sometimes life feels like one long prank.

Years ago, everything in my life looked bad. Not “a rough patch.” I mean flattened. I felt pulverized.

So I prayed for something specific:
boldness like a lion.

Looking back, I think I had to hit bottom to even mean that prayer.

And the change didn’t happen overnight.
Honestly, if it had, I wouldn’t have trusted it.

But five years later, I can say this:

I’m different.

I’ve walked through things I never would have chosen—and I didn’t back away. Not perfectly, not gracefully every time, but I stayed in it.

And somewhere along the way, that boldness showed up.

Not loud. Not flashy.
Just steady.

The kind that doesn’t fold when things get hard.

I’ve paid what I call my “stupid tax.” Expensive lessons. The kind you only learn by living through them.

But it wasn’t wasted.

I’ve got a full education now. A PhD in the School of Hard Knocks. And I plan to use it.

Building something—whether it’s a business, art, or a life—means you’re going to get hit with setbacks that feel almost ridiculous. Like, really? this too?

That’s the April Fool’s part of life.

But here’s what I’ve learned:

The setbacks don’t get the final say.

The losses don’t define the outcome.

And the things that feel big right now—money, mistakes, missed opportunities—they’re not actually the biggest thing.

What matters is who you become while you’re building.

I’m not afraid of starting small anymore.
I’m not discouraged by slow growth.
And I’m not interested in regret.

Because I know this now:

Hardship can either take you out…
or train you.

So if you’re in the middle of it right now—building something small, messy, and real—keep going.

Even if it feels like life is playing tricks on you.

Especially then.

If you have these 7 categories, you have enough.

This is not a fashion rulebook. It’s a launching point for getting dressed every day without overthinking it.

Before buying anything new, start here:

• Shop your own closet

• Shop thrift stores

• Shop your own style

If you already have something that fills the role, great. If you want extra pieces for flair or special days, that’s a bonus.

This list is about daily building blocks. It does not include specialized workwear, extreme weather gear, or hobby clothing. Just everyday pieces that mix and match easily.

Choose colors you like and that work together. That’s the whole trick.

Here are the seven categories.

1. Shoes: One Pair You Love

One pair of shoes you truly love, ideally with good insoles.

If you have the budget to get the same shoe in multiple colors, go for it. I have a friend who found the perfect barefoot shoe and now owns them in several colors to match her outfits.

Personally, my budget and brain capacity is one pair of shoes with my particular insoles.

I also enjoy breaking the fashion “rules.” My blue Converse get worn with basically everything. Matching is optional.

Comfort wins.

2. Jeans (or Your Version of Them): Two Pairs

Two pairs. One to wear, one to wash.

You don’t even have to wash them very often.

But you might not be a jeans person. Your everyday “jeans” could be:

• yoga pants

• overalls

• a skirt

• work pants

The point is having a reliable daily uniform.

Some days life is chaotic and you don’t need another decision. You just need “jeans.”

3. Three Styling Accessories

Three go-to accessories that can change the mood of an outfit.

In theory, owning 100 scarves or hats sounds fun.

In practice, my brain does not have the energy for that.

I like having three standbys depending on my mood. Examples might be:

• a favorite scarf

• a headband

• a hat

• a statement necklace

Just a few pieces that can save a simple outfit.

4. Four T-Shirts

Four solid everyday shirts.

Seasonally this might mean:

• long sleeve shirts in winter

• short sleeve or sleeveless shirts in summer

Right now my rotation is:

• two black

• one teal

• one bright pink

Why not seven shirts for each day of the week?

Because natural fibers like hemp and wool are antimicrobial and can be worn multiple times before washing. Four good shirts are usually plenty.

If you’re looking for one, I make hemp long sleeve shirts that are designed exactly for this kind of rotation. Also short sleeves!

I also occasionally release deadstock T-shirt drops for email subscribers, so keep an eye out for those.

5. Five Layering Pieces

This is where personality starts showing up.

Layering pieces add warmth, texture, and mood.

My current lineup includes things like:

• a denim jacket

• a cozy pullover sweater

• two different colored sweaters

• a hoodie for “those days”

In another season of life, my layering pieces were more professional: blazers and vests.

The exact items will change depending on your lifestyle and climate.

6. Six Fun Pieces

These pieces don’t follow any rules.

They exist simply because they make you happy.

For me that includes things like:

• an impractical dress I wear on a random Tuesday

• dancing skirts

• an evening dress that also gets worn on a Tuesday

(Yes, even to the kitchen, coffee shop, or Walmart.)

The point is to actually wear the things you love, not save them forever for a special occasion that never comes.

7. The Boring but Important Stuff

Seven pairs of socks.
Seven pairs of underwear.

Simple.

Choose your own color system to make laundry easier. In my house my color is dressy black, so I can instantly identify mine.

I don’t currently sell socks… although hemp socks are starting to sound like a good idea.

But I do make hemp underwear, which you can find here!

A Final Thought

A wardrobe doesn’t have to be huge to work well.

When you have a handful of reliable pieces that mix and match easily, getting dressed becomes simple.

Start with what you already own.
Add thoughtfully when you need something new.
Choose pieces that feel like you.

Everything else is just extra.

If you love the style but aren’t sure about the fit, reach out — I do custom adjustments all the time. 

I make everything myself in small batches, and while my standard size range runs from XS through XL, I’m always happy to customize when possible.

The most common requests I get are:

• A special length — a little shorter or longer than standard

• Something between sizes — if you fall right in the middle

• High-waisted underwear — for extra rise

If you see something you love on my website but aren’t sure about the fit, just send me an email or give me a call. I do this all the time, and we can usually find a solution that feels made for you.

Made with care, start to finish.

Looking for something special? Shoot me an email! Let's make something just for you.

I fell in and out of love with a career in fashion, and then back in love again. Desire for beauty, outrage over ethical and sustainable tragedies in the industry, and discovery of natural solutions like hemp wove the fabric of my brand.

Alden Wicker delivers a meaningful dive into the colors that make up our wardrobe and the chemical impact. What can we do, how does my brand line up, and do we agree?

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*Sweaters can also be synthetic, scratchy, too hot, too thin, or showing bra lines. Layer with the Classic Shell and you are OK.

Yes, hemp is antimicrobial and low-maintenance. No, that doesn’t mean you can treat it however you want. The care is simple and absolutely worth doing correctly. Here’s what matters...

What is a “medium”, anyway? Or any other size? Find out how to determine your size with this quick video.