What is Polyester?
Polyester is a type of synthetic fiber that is commonly used in clothing and textiles. It’s important to learn a bit about polyester, its impact on both the environment and our health; and why you should NOT be a polyester investor.
Polyester is made from petroleum, which is a non-renewable resource. It’s refined through a process called polymerization, where the raw material is heated and mixed with chemicals to form long, strong fibers. These fibers are then spun into thread, which can be woven or knitted into fabric. The primary factors and attribute behind it’s production is that it’s more cost effective for manufacturers and production. It’s great for the oil industry, yet not so much for you.
One of the biggest environmental concerns with polyester production is the use of fossil fuels. The process requires a significant amount of energy, which contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and other toxicities into the atmosphere. Plus the production of polyester requires large amounts of water, which can strain local resources and cause pollution when wastewater is discharged. Not to mention the tremendous amount of chemicals introduced to turn into durable fabric often include lead, formaldehyde and other cancer causing chemicals.
Besides the environmental impact, polyester also has potential health hazards. Here are three ways polyester can be harmful when you wear it:
- Skin irritation: Polyester fibers can be itchy and cause skin irritation, especially in people with sensitive skin.
- Breathability: Unlike natural fibers such as cotton or linen, polyester doesn’t breathe well. This can cause you to feel hot and sweaty, especially in warm weather.
- Microplastics: When you wash polyester clothing, it sheds microfibers that can end up in our waterways and harm marine life. These microfibers are also believed to be harmful to human health, as they can be ingested through drinking water or by consuming contaminated seafood.
Despite its negative impact, polyester remains a popular choice for clothing manufacturers due to its durability, affordability, and is in over 50% of overall off the rack clothing production. There are sustainable alternatives available, such as cactus or mushroom based leather over cheap faux “vegan” vinyls/pleathers. Mi Terro is innovating a fabric that’s derived from milk is the base.
So while polyester may be a convenient and cheap option, it’s important to consider its impact on the environment and our health. Especially if you have passionate concerncs on climate change, your clothing choices are among the most important. By choosing sustainable alternatives and being mindful of how we care for our clothing, we can make a positive impact on our wardrobe and the world around us.
For more, visit us The Clothing Coach Studio in San Francisco’s Union Square!
Polyester Investor, Good or Bad Investment?
Do you ever wonder what happens to those cheap synthetic fabrics like polyester and acrylic as they get older? Well wonder no more! We do so much shopping in our coaching program and have purchased every fabric in dozens of brands. We also follow up with every client that has visited The Clothing Coach Studio in San Francisco to better understand price per wear and longevity of clothing purchases. In this blog post, I’ll explain what happens to these fabrics as they wear over time.
Let’s start with polyester. Polyester is a popular fabric because it’s cheap to purchase and produce and is treated with chemicals making it easy to care for. While how it’s treated impacts it’s durability, it’s not the most durable fabric out there. As you wear polyester clothing the fabric starts to break down. Often this can cause the fabric to lose its shape after 1 wear or wash and become less comfortable to wear quickly (the stretch can mask this for a bit). You might notice that your polyester clothing starts to pill, which is when small balls of fabric start to form on the surface. This happens because the fibers in polyester are not very strong, so they start to break apart and form those annoying little balls.
Acrylic is another form of synthetic fabric that’s commonly used in clothing among many other products. Acrylic is cheap and easy to care for but it’s not very durable, at least as far as clothing is concerned. As acrylic clothing starts to wear out, you might notice that the fabric becomes less soft and starts to feel rougher to the touch. This happens because the fibers in acrylic are not as flexible as natural fibers like cotton or wool. As the fabric wears, the fibers start to break and become more rigid which can make the fabric feel rough. You should also keep in mind that the best paint is often acrylic based just to give you an idea how these molecules are tweaked and chemically treated to create (or mimic) any texture.
Both polyester and acrylic are also prone to static electricity, which can be a real pain in the winter months. This happens because the fabrics are not very conductive, so they build up a static charge when rubbed against other surfaces. Static shock much? This can cause your clothes to cling to your body or even give you a shock when you touch something metal. Easiest way to spot a polyester investor for an untrained eye.
Cheap synthetic fabrics like polyester, acrylic and so many others are “convenient” and affordable, but they don’t hold up well over time. As you wear these fabrics, they start to break down, emit toxicities into the air (and micro-plastics into the water supply when washed) and lose their shape and softness. So while these fabrics might feel like a good choice for a one-time use or a quick fashion fix, they’re not the best option for long-term wear making them generally a low value; with huge hidden costs.
Especially when shopping for suits, sportcoats and other formal attire yet also undergarments and gym wear, stick to natural fibers and fabrics. While we generally don’t recommend any synthetic fabrics, outerwear (like rain jackets) can be some of the safest bets, as are fabric blends of mostly natural fibers and 40% (or preferably less) synthetic component.
Poly French Terry: Another Fabric That’s More Hype Than Substance
Have you heard of Poly French Terry? It’s a relatively new fabric that’s been making waves in the fashion world, with many brands claiming that it’s the ultimate solution for comfort and style. But is it really all it’s cracked up to be? In this post, we’ll take a closer look at Poly French Terry and see if it’s worth all the hype.
First, let’s start with what Poly French Terry actually is. It’s a synthetic blend of polyester and French terry, a type of knit fabric known for its soft, absorbent loops on one side and a smooth surface on the other. The result is a fabric that promises to be lightweight, breathable, and quick-drying.
Sounds great, right? But before you rush out to buy a Poly French Terry garment, let’s consider some of the drawbacks.
Durability: One of the biggest issues with Poly French Terry is its durability. Because it’s a synthetic fabric it’s prone to stretching, fading, and pilling. This means that your clothes will look worn out much faster than if you had invested in a higher-quality fabric.
Environmental Impact: Synthetic fabrics like Poly French Terry are not biodegradable, which means that they contribute to the growing problem of textile waste. Additionally, the production of synthetic fabrics releases harmful chemicals into the environment.
Comfort: While Poly French Terry may feel soft and comfortable when you first try it on, this comfort can quickly dissipate. The synthetic fibers can cause itching and skin irritation, especially in people with sensitive skin.
So, is Poly French Terry worth all the hype? In our opinion, the answer is no. While it may seem like a good deal at first, the lack of durability and the negative impact on the environment make it a gimmick fabric that’s not worth your money.
Instead, we recommend investing in high-quality, natural fabrics like cotton, wool, or silk. These materials are not only more durable and environmentally friendly, but they also offer long-lasting comfort and style.
Like many synthetics, Poly French Terry is a fabric that’s more hype than substance. Here at The Clothing Coach in San Francisco, we always recommend to opt for natural fabrics that will stand the test of time; and help discover a comfort and style that lasts.