Is All Hemp Clothing 100% Hemp? Why We Use Hemp, Bamboo & Blends
One of the most common questions we hear in store is: “Is all hemp clothing pure hemp?”
The honest answer is: some of it is — and those pieces are some of our absolute favourites.
Pure hemp clothing has a character all of its own. It is breathable, strong, beautifully textured and made to soften with time. A well-made 100% hemp shirt, pair of pants or jacket does not feel like a trend piece. It feels like something you will keep reaching for year after year.
At Made In Hemp, we proudly stock a dedicated Pure Hemp Clothing and Linen Collection, featuring timeless pieces made from 100% hemp fibre. These are the garments that show hemp at its best: natural, durable, breathable and full of soul.
But not every garment needs to be pure hemp to be good. Some pieces perform better with a blend. A T-shirt may need extra softness and drape. Underwear needs stretch and smoothness. Socks need shape recovery. A lightweight summer pant may benefit from bamboo’s softness. The right fabric depends on what the garment is designed to do.
Explore our Pure Hemp Clothing and Linen Collection, including 100% hemp shirts, pants, dresses, linen and everyday natural-fibre favourites.
Pure hemp clothing: the pieces that made us fall in love with hemp
Pure hemp is not just “nice if you can find it”. It is one of the reasons Made In Hemp exists.
There is something special about a 100% hemp garment. It has weight without feeling synthetic, texture without feeling boring, and structure without looking stiff. It wears in rather than wearing out, and it has that natural linen-like look without feeling like every other fabric on the rack.
Our pure hemp range includes customer favourites like the Martin 100% Hemp Grandpa Shirt, Premium 100% Hemp Men’s Beach Pants, Premium Women’s 100% Hemp Beach Pants, Slim Jim Men’s Pure Hemp Shirt and Hercules 100% Hemp Long Sleeve Shirt.
These are the kinds of pieces that show what hemp can really do.
Why we love 100% hemp garments
Pure hemp clothing is loved for its natural balance of strength, breathability and character.
- It is breathable: ideal for warm weather, layering and everyday wear.
- It has natural structure: perfect for shirts, pants, jackets and relaxed tailored pieces.
- It softens with wear: hemp often becomes more comfortable the more you live in it.
- It has texture: pure hemp has a beautiful natural feel that sets it apart from flat synthetic fabrics.
- It lasts: hemp is known for strength, making it a brilliant choice for wardrobe staples.
A 100% hemp shirt or pant is not trying to feel like fast fashion. It has its own personality. That is exactly why people love it.
Where pure hemp works best
Pure hemp is especially good in garments where you want breathability, structure and long-term wear.
We particularly love 100% hemp for:
- Button-up shirts
- Grandpa collar shirts
- Beach pants
- Wide-leg pants
- Shorts
- Overshirts
- Light jackets
- Dresses and shirt dresses
- Pure hemp linen and homewares
These are pieces where hemp’s natural body and texture become part of the style. It does not need to be hidden, softened or disguised. The hemp is the feature.
Start with the Martin 100% Hemp Grandpa Shirt, Men’s Premium 100% Hemp Beach Pants, Women’s Premium 100% Hemp Beach Pants or the heavyweight Hercules 100% Hemp Long Sleeve Shirt.
So why use blends at all?
Because clothing has jobs to do.
A pure hemp shirt can be magnificent. A pure hemp pair of structured pants can be a forever piece. But a soft T-shirt, a fitted brief, a stretchy sock or a smooth pair of trunks has very different needs.
Blending hemp with other fibres is not about making the garment less special. It is about making the garment work better for its purpose.
Some garments need:
- More softness
- More drape
- More stretch
- Better shape recovery
- A lighter feel
- A more familiar T-shirt texture
- A more accessible price point
That is where cotton, bamboo and small amounts of stretch fibres can be useful.
Why hemp is often blended with cotton
Hemp and cotton are a classic pairing, especially for T-shirts and casual basics.
Pure hemp has beautiful texture, but for a T-shirt, many people want something softer, lighter and more familiar against the skin. Cotton helps soften the hand-feel while hemp adds breathability, strength and natural character.
A hemp cotton blend can be a brilliant option when you want the benefits of hemp, but with the easy comfort of a classic everyday tee.
This is why many hemp T-shirts use a blend rather than 100% hemp. It helps the garment feel softer, sit better on the body and remain more approachable in price.
Why bamboo is used in clothing
If hemp is the strength and structure fibre, bamboo is the soft comfort fibre.
Bamboo-based fabrics are loved for their smooth, soft and drapey feel. They are especially popular in garments worn close to the skin, including underwear, socks, singlets, basics and loungewear.
That is why bamboo is such a strong choice for our Bamboo Socks and Underwear range. A 100% hemp shirt can be incredible. But for soft underwear or a smooth everyday sock, bamboo often makes more sense.
Bamboo is best when the goal is:
- Softness
- Smoothness
- Drape
- Close-to-skin comfort
- Lightweight everyday wear
In simple terms: hemp is the shirt you live in for years. Bamboo is the underwear you forget you are wearing.
Why socks and underwear need stretch fibres
Socks and underwear are technical garments, even when they look simple.
They need to stretch, move, hold their shape and recover after wear. That is why you will often see a small amount of elastane, spandex, nylon or another support fibre in socks and underwear.
This does not mean the garment is poor quality. It usually means the garment will fit better and last better.
A sock made from 100% hemp would not behave like a modern sock. It may not hug the foot, stay up properly or recover its shape after repeated wear. A small amount of stretch fibre helps the natural fibre actually do its job in real life.
For practical everyday basics, browse our hemp and bamboo socks or bamboo underwear range.
Pure hemp vs hemp blends vs bamboo: which should you choose?
| Fabric type | Best for | Why we love it |
|---|---|---|
| 100% hemp | Shirts, pants, shorts, jackets, dresses, linen and structured wardrobe pieces | Strong, breathable, textured, long-wearing and full of natural character |
| Hemp cotton blends | T-shirts, casual tops and everyday basics | Softens hemp, improves drape and gives a more familiar tee feel |
| Hemp bamboo blends | Relaxed pants, soft tops, easy summer layers and drapey everyday clothing | Combines hemp’s texture with bamboo’s softness and flow |
| Bamboo-based fabrics | Underwear, socks, singlets, basics and loungewear | Soft, smooth, lightweight and comfortable against the skin |
| Natural fibre with stretch | Socks, underwear, leggings and fitted basics | Adds movement, comfort, fit and shape recovery |
Why pure hemp clothing can cost more
Pure hemp garments often sit at a higher price point because hemp is still a more specialised textile than mainstream cotton or synthetic fibres.
There are fewer large-scale hemp textile supply chains, fewer fabric mills producing premium hemp cloth, and smaller production runs compared with conventional clothing. When you are buying a 100% hemp garment, you are often buying a more niche fabric, made in lower volumes, with a very different feel and lifespan to mass-produced fast fashion.
That price is part of why we think carefully about where pure hemp makes the most sense.
For a shirt, pant, jacket or linen piece that can be worn for years, pure hemp is worth celebrating. For a T-shirt, sock or underwear piece, a blend may give you better comfort, better fit and better value.
Is 100% hemp better?
For the right garment, yes — 100% hemp can be exceptional.
Our pure hemp shirts and pants are some of our most loved pieces because they show off everything hemp does well: breathability, texture, strength, longevity and effortless natural style.
But “better” depends on the job.
A 100% hemp overshirt? Brilliant. A 100% hemp beach pant? Beautiful. A 100% hemp grandpa shirt? An instant classic.
A 100% hemp sock or pair of underwear? Probably not the most comfortable or practical choice for most people.
The better question is not always, “Is it pure hemp?” It is: “Is this the right fibre for this garment?”
Choose 100% pure hemp clothing for breathable, textured wardrobe staples. Browse hemp and bamboo clothing for everyday natural-fibre pieces, or explore bamboo socks and underwear for soft close-to-skin comfort.
Common questions about hemp, bamboo and blends
Is all hemp clothing pure hemp?
No. Some hemp clothing is made from 100% pure hemp, including many of our favourite shirts, pants and linen pieces. Other garments use hemp blends with cotton, bamboo or stretch fibres to improve softness, drape, fit or everyday comfort.
Is 100% hemp clothing better?
For the right garment, 100% hemp can be exceptional. Pure hemp is especially beautiful in shirts, pants, jackets, shorts, dresses and linen. For socks, underwear or fitted basics, blends are often more comfortable because they allow for softness, stretch and shape recovery.
Why is hemp blended with cotton?
Cotton softens hemp and gives garments a more familiar everyday feel. Hemp cotton blends are especially useful for T-shirts, where many people want softness, drape and easy wearability while still enjoying the benefits of hemp.
Is bamboo better than hemp?
Bamboo is not better than hemp; it is different. Bamboo is softer, smoother and more drapey, making it ideal for underwear, socks, singlets and basics. Hemp is stronger, more textured and more structured, making it ideal for shirts, pants, jackets and long-wearing wardrobe staples.
Why do bamboo underwear and socks include elastane or other fibres?
Socks and underwear need stretch, fit and shape recovery. A small amount of elastane, spandex, nylon or another support fibre helps the garment move with the body, stay in place and keep its shape after repeated wear.
Why is pure hemp clothing more expensive?
Pure hemp clothing is often more expensive because hemp textiles are produced on a smaller scale than mainstream cotton or synthetic fabrics. Premium hemp fabric, lower production volumes and specialised manufacturing can all affect the final price.
What is the best pure hemp clothing item to start with?
A 100% hemp shirt or pair of hemp beach pants is a great place to start. These pieces show off hemp’s natural breathability, texture and durability while still being easy to wear every day.
The bottom line
Pure hemp clothing is not just a technical detail. It is the heart of what we do.
We love 100% hemp for the pieces where hemp truly shines: shirts, pants, jackets, dresses, shorts, linen and timeless wardrobe staples with natural texture and long-term wear.
We also love thoughtful blends where they make the garment better. Cotton can make hemp T-shirts softer. Bamboo can make basics smoother and more comfortable. Stretch fibres can help socks and underwear fit properly and last longer.
It is not about pure versus blended. It is about choosing the right fibre for the right garment.
Explore our Pure Hemp Clothing and Linen Collection, browse the full hemp and bamboo clothing range, or start with soft everyday essentials from our Bamboo Socks and Underwear collection.