Straw
Dried natural plant stalks (wheat, rice, or other grasses) woven or braided into fabric for hats, bags, and decorative items. Lightweight, rigid, and breathable — a timeless material for warm-weather accessories.
Material Score Breakdown
7-axis material rubric, not a garment verdict — see disclosure below.
How long the fabric lasts with regular use
Softness, feel against skin, wearability
Air flow and ventilation
Heat retention and insulation
Ability to pull sweat away from skin
Environmental impact of production and disposal
How easy it is to wash, dry, and maintain
Products with straw
We don't have any straw products in our catalog yet — it's a rare natural fiber. Here are top-rated natural alternatives:
Merino Cardigan
100% Merino Wool
Merino Long-Sleeve Sweater Polo
100% Merino Wool
Merino Sweater
100% Merino Wool
Merino Johnny-Collar Sweater Polo
100% Merino Wool
Slim Merino Ribbed Sweater
100% Merino Wool
Merino Crew-Neck Sweater
100% Merino Wool
What this score doesn't measure
This is a material rating, not a verdict on any specific garment made from straw. The axes above are research-backed averages for the fiber itself.
- ×Construction. Yarn staple length, weave / knit structure, stitch count, finishing. Identical fiber, very different garments.
- ×Fabric weight (GSM). A 140 GSM tee and a 220 GSM tee made of the same straw feel and last very differently.
- ×Dye + finishing chemicals. Beyond the three we flag (PFAS, formaldehyde, antimony), dozens of textile finishes aren't modelled.
Best For
Good sustainability score (75)
Detailed Use Case Scores
Pros
- ✓ Fully natural and biodegradable
- ✓ Lightweight and breathable for sun protection
- ✓ Inexpensive and widely available
- ✓ Classic aesthetic for summer accessories
Cons
- ✗ Brittle — cracks and breaks with rough handling
- ✗ Cannot be washed — spot clean only
- ✗ Damaged by rain and prolonged moisture
- ✗ Limited to accessories — not suitable for garments
Better alternatives
Higher-scored natural materials. Same category — what to consider instead.
+50 vs Straw · 92/100
BiodegradableThe rarest and most expensive animal fiber in the world, from the vicuña of the Andes. Finer than cashmere, incredibly soft, warm, and lightweight. A single coat yields only 250g of usable fiber every 2-3 years.
+44 vs Straw · 86/100
BiodegradableUltra-fine wool from Merino sheep. Softer and less itchy than regular wool, with excellent temperature regulation and moisture management.
+40 vs Straw · 82/100
BiodegradableExtra-long-staple cotton historically grown in the West Indies (Barbados, Jamaica) and Sea Islands of Georgia/South Carolina. Among the rarest commercial fibers on earth — staple length up to 2.5", silky hand feel, intense color saturation when dyed. Used in heritage luxury shirting and bespoke menswear.
Care Guide
Special Notes
• Spot clean only — never submerge
• Store stuffed with tissue to hold shape
Additional Care Tips
- • Spot clean with a damp cloth — never submerge in water
- • Reshape while damp if bent out of shape
- • Store stuffed with tissue to maintain form
- • Keep away from rain — moisture weakens straw
- • Apply a light spray of fabric protector for water resistance
Cost
$$$$$
Budget-friendly
Shrinkage
Won't shrink with normal washing
Eco Rating
Strong environmental credentials