You may have noticed something missing around here. It’s not in the outfit posts OR the shopping guides OR the weekly wishlists. It’s not in my personal stylist clients’ shopping carts either.
Polyester. Yuck.
Polyester is missing from this blog, and it’s missing from my closet, and I think it should be missing from your closet too.
Here’s why:
It’s uncomfortable crap.
Polyester is made from coal and petroleum. It is literally plastic. Common adjectives used to describe polyester garments include hot, sticky, scratchy, non-breathable, and uncomfortable. While many modern polyesters and polyester blends may look or feel almost like the natural fiber they are trying to emulate, the natural fiber will always be more comfortable to wear.
It’s expensive crap.
Polyester was introduced as an inexpensive fabric because it is so cheap to make. It is still cheap to produce polyester, yet apparel companies are charging as much or more for polyester items as you could spend on quality natural fiber pieces. I refuse to pay $100 for polyester – I want silk!
It’s bad for the environment crap.
Remember before when I said polyester is made from coal and petroleum? Those are two non-renewable resources. Without even counting the chemicals used and energy expended in the actual making of polyester, its reliance on coal and oil make polyester an enemy to the environment.
Now, here’s how to avoid polyester:
Just say no.
Stop buying polyester. Check the labels, check for fiber content details on your favorite shopping website. If it’s polyester, it’s a no-go. I’ve passed up quite a few totally adorable designs – dresses and tops that were seriously made for me – just because they were made of polyester. It doesn’t matter how cute it is, there will be something just as nice or better, and made from a natural fiber, that you will love even more. You can find cotton, wool, and even silk at the major discount retailers, and maybe if we keep leaving the polyester on store shelves, they’ll stop putting it there in the first place.
Support independent designers and private labels.
Look for designers and shops that promote handmade and sustainability and you will be sure to find natural fibers and quality craftsmanship. The more we support these shops, the more there will be, and the more quality clothing we’ll have to choose from.
(I’m currently working on a database of lovely independent clothing designers and anti-polyester retailers to showcase here on the blog and to recommend to stylist clients, so if you are one or know of one you love, please share!)
Go vintage.
Don’t forget that we weren’t always so inundated with polyester. In decades past (even in the 70s), a larger percentage of clothing was made of natural fibers. So pick through your local antique and vintage stores or hit up your favorite online vintage stores for super cute real clothes.
Do you hate polyester?
Let’s start a movement.
If we stop buying it, they’ll stop making it. Take a button for your blog to spread the word!
Let me help.
There are plenty of beautiful things to wear that don’t involve polyester. If you don’t know where to find them, I can help. I specialize in non-polyester pretty finding.
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
I hear you sister! I just bought these totally adorable printed “jeans” online and when I get them they feel like cheap pj material!! That’ll teach me to check materials when online shopping.
you may have just inspired me to write my ‘i hate PU leather’ post. polyester isn’t my preferred material – i’ll buy 100 percent cotton and what not over it any day. some polys definitely have better quality though – and they are good for non clothing items like backpacks (although nylon is still preferable here). but PU leather??! it’s dirt cheap but i’ve seen PU leather bags cost upwards of 100 dollars. ugh. faux leather makes me wanna cry, personally. worst, some of them just taut it as ‘vegan leather’ as a marketing point which disgusts me. i guess it’s good for those who are vegan or don’t carry real leather, but i’d suggest canvas or other bags over PU leather any day.
THANK YOU!!! I see nothing anywhere about how horrible polyester is not only to wear, but for the environment, and that it is so overpriced for something that is literally PLASTIC! It is terrifying Christmas shopping because everything is made of/with polyester. In fact, polyester/natural fiber “blends” remind me of how drug dealers “cut” their drugs with cheaper substances to increase their profit. I hate wearing it and hate that it is essentially a plastic bag as far as the environment is concerned – only thicker so it will biodegrade even slower! The best way to vote is with our dollars.
Thank you, again!!
I feel you there!Unless it’s blended with a natural fiber,or is a chiffon over cotton,I just can’t stand it.But even as a cotton/poly blend,it will pill faster and wear out sooner.One of my major annoyances with Modcloth is how many of the dresses,scratch that,most of the clothes are made from poly.And also I will read reviews on Anthropolgie and many customers will say something is made out of such nice cotton fabric when it’s clearly stated it’s not.I don’t get how people can stand wearing it,but it seems like many can’t even tell the difference by now.I’m rather a fabric fanatic and can often tell what a fabric is by looking at or feeling it.
Your statement about hating polyester is what brought me to your blog (and be a twitter follower, too!). We polyester haters must stick together! I have added your lil graphic to my blog, too, in order for others to join our ranks and spread the news of the evils of polyester. :)
@buttercupcaren