Overheard a designer at Fabricana saying polyester is "basically plastic garbage"

I was grabbing thread for a coat lining and caught two designers talking near the silk section. One of them said polyester is ruining modern tailoring because it traps heat and doesn't drape right. Has anyone else started avoiding poly blends for outerwear after hearing something similar?

3 comments

3 Comments

the_joel17d ago

I hear you on that "plastic garbage" comment... polyester really does trap heat in a way that feels suffocating for outerwear. I switched to cotton or wool blends for coats after noticing my poly-lined jacket turned into a sweatbox during any mild weather. It's tough because poly is cheaper, but the breathability just isn't there for something you'll wear all day.

williams.kim17d ago

Did you catch that piece on NPR a few weeks back about how polyester microfibers actually mess with your body's natural cooling system? They said the plastic fibers don't wick moisture at all, it just sits there against your skin and cooks you. I switched to a waxed cotton jacket last winter and it's night and day difference. Yeah it costs more up front but you don't end up drenched in sweat after a short walk. Plus wool blends don't start stinking after a few wears like poly does.

emma_clark17d ago

Totally agree, the sweatbox issue is real. I learned that the hard way with a poly fleece I wore hiking last spring. After one uphill climb I was soaked while my friend in a merino wool base layer was totally dry. Swapped my whole wardrobe over to natural fibers for anything close to my skin. Even my lounge pants are cotton now. The upfront cost stings but you don't have to buy replacements every season like the cheap stuff. Plus wool really does stay fresh way longer between washes, huge difference for daily wear.