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Why we use polyester for some garments

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I basically wanted to make this informal diary entry to describe the benefits and negatives of polyester. Maybe by the end of writing this, I'll even be convinced against polyester. For the time being, I believe polyester is a great material for communicating certain silhouettes in ways that cotton and other materials cannot. We've considered silk as a potential alternative but it's sheen and cost is makes it an imperfect solution.

Benefits of polyester:

  • Polyester can be recycled
  • Polyester is wrinkle-resistant
  • Polyester repels bacteria
  • Polyester is not affected by mold, mildew, insects, etc.
  • Polyester does not shrink
  • Polyester is UV-resistant
  • The cost of polyester is lower and more comparable to cotton versus general higher costs for synthetic materials
  • Polyester is stain-resistant and very easy to clean
  • Polyester wicks moisture from the skin and dries quickly
  • Polyester also very strong and flexible in comparison to most natural fibers
  • Polyester lasts very long
  • Polyester retains color very well
  • Polyester is easy to wash and maintain

Disadvantages of polyester:

  • Polyester is not biodegradable and can take over 200 years to decompose
  • Polyester can create pollution due to manufacturing methods and improper disposal
  • Polyester can distribute micro-plastics
  • Polyester can get runs and pulls easily if snagged
  • Polyester promotes static build-up
  • Polyester can affect sensitive skin
  • Polyester is generally less breathable than natural fibers
  • Polyester can absorb oils easier
  • Polyester melts when burned and can produce toxic fumes

Okay so polyester isn't all that great, but it certainly has it's advantages. I still believe it has specific use cases and now that we're more aware of the pros and cons of the material, we can use it to our advantage when deciding which material to use for a garment.

Thanks for reading. If you find any information here is inaccurate or needs updating, please shoot us an email.