With the introduction of our newest fabric technology, Composite, we’re building on a foundation that we call “Scientifically Natural.” The concept is simple: there are comfort and performance attributes of both natural and synthetic materials, and our goal is to extract and combine those benefits to create the best garment. Here are three ways we use Scientifically Natural materials at Ministry of Supply:

01. Blending: the best of both worlds.

 

Natural/synthetic blends can be created in a number of ways. Some garments use yarns that combine materials at the fiber level, while others use a combination of yarns that are woven, knit, or plaited together. We use blends when we want to create a garment with soft, organic hand-feel; moisture-wicking that doesn’t feel clammy; and matte aesthetics.

Composite is a great example of a blend. With its 85% spun polyester/15% Merino wool make-up, Composite is engineered for softness and moisture-wicking performance that’s 2X better than your standard cotton tee. We also use Scientifically Natural fiber blends in Hybrid, Atlas, and Momentum.

02. Naturally-derived synthetics.

Not all synthetics are created equal. We use fibers that originate as organic material in order to distill out the key features of the source. Two great examples are our Atlas and Responsive fabrics, which use fibers containing coffee grounds for their odor-absorbing qualities.

Another Scientifically Natural fiber of choice is viscose, a synthetic material derived from trees. Viscose is made by dissolving cellulose from plant pulp. These fibers come from sustainable resources, and they have a smooth texture that’s soft and cool to the touch.

03. Biomimicry: outperforming organics.

When natural fibers face shortcomings, we aspire to find synthetic alternatives that outperform. For example, we choose nylons to replace silk because the amine groups that form nylon are chemically similar to the keratin protein found in silk. Our goal with a fabric like Easier Than Silk is to capture the positive attributes of silk, such as its elegant drape and smooth texture. At the same time, we want to solve some of silk’s shortcomings: lack of stretch, difficult care, and poor moisture management. The result is a fabric that offers the look and feel of silk with performance benefits.

We took a similar approach with Velocity suiting, in which we set out to outperform traditional wool suiting. The Velocity fabric, initially code-named “better than wool,” has the soft texture of wool suiting thanks to its short rayon staple fibers. Unlike wool, Velocity can be machine washed, it’s wrinkle-free, and it stretches far beyond the limits of old-school “travel” suits.

The Future is Scientifically Natural

As we continue to develop Scientifically Natural, we’re committed to making the highest-quality, best-performing products that outperform and outlast expectations.