Clothes are essentially worn for satisfying the need for privacy (covering the body), and protect ourselves from unbearable atmospheric conditions.
Like most people, we had also developed unnecessary wants around clothing - like fashion statement, looking good, display our wealth, etc. We realized that we have been spending money and accumulating clothes to satisfy our meaningless wants. Though these clothes were providing privacy and satisfying our wants, these were failing to satisfy the need to protect the body from unbearable atmospheric conditions.
Let me explain in some detail what we observed.
About 70% of all the clothing are made from synthetic fibers. Mainly polyester, nylon, acrylic, and other synthetic fibers — all of which are just another forms of plastic. We realized that, we are wearing clothing made of plastics. All the brands were lying about their cotton clothing. Synthetic fibers are cheaper (economically, but not environmentally),durable, easy to make, stronger, beautiful, smooth, stretchable, colourful, flexible and so on. These properties are necessary for making colorful and designer clothing of all kind.
However, despite all these advantages, synthetic fibers fail to satisfy the most essential quality of a cloth. That is, an ability to breathe and retain the body heat. Synthetic fibers do not breathe. Air does not pass through these clothes. This is the reason we feel colder in winters and hotter in summers in synthetic clothes.
Natural clothing made of khadi or cotton, breathes. This allows the excess body heat to be lost through clothes in summers, keeping us comfortable. And this same ability retains the body heat in winters, keeping us warmer. Over many years, this is good for health as body is protected from cooling and heating. Fungal infections, joint pains and many skin diseases are avoided by this.
Khadi clothing are not durable, not fashionable, and comes in few colours. However, khadi takes care of the body. This we felt is the most important reason for embracing khadi.
There are other advantages to wearing khadi. Khadi clothing are manufactured at local handlooms, hence these are supported instead of huge industries. Khadi is biodegradable, which prevents pollution caused by discarded plastic clothing.
In 2018, I had realised these and at once bought two pairs of khadi clothing from Desi Trust. Even the dyes are natural. Savitri and children bought one pair each. I was convinced of the importance of khadi and had no hesitations. Savitri and children wanted to try first. By the end of one year, after trying that pair of khadi during summers, rains and winters, all had realised that khadi is the best clothing. After that, all of us have embraced khadi.
Khadi is good for the body, local businesses and the environment.
These days, Savitri and Adhya are also enjoying the joy of stitching simple khadi clothing on a stitching machine.
Thanks a lot for reading. Take Care
Madhukar