Why the hate for synthetic fibres?

[DeltaG]

I've read disparaging comments about polyester and other synthetic fibres on the forum and I have often wondered why.

I know there is a tendency to assume natural = good, synthetic = bad, but with clothing (and many other things come to think of it), this isn't necessarily the case. When the clothing company Patagonia looked at the environmental footprint of different fibres, they found cotton to be the worst of all, owing to all the pesticides and water needed to cultivate it.

I get that polyester is not the best choice in hot climates (or if you're generally a sweaty betty!), but what is so wrong with it otherwise? Synthetics tend to dry faster and need less ironing than natural fibres, so less time spent doing laundry. And I certainly wouldn't fancy mountain trekking in a wool coat when I could choose gortex, for example.

I have a mixture of fabrics in my wardrobe, but wouldn't dismiss an item just because it was made from synthetic or semi-synthetic fibres. Interested to know other's opinions.

We try to buy second hand as much as possible. Organic cotton or wool if no second hand option available. MIL can knit and crochet which really is a godsend.

Children's waterproof overalls are only available with synthetic materials though. Just try to maximise usage with all DC. They do have lanolised wool coats which are waterproof enough for the park but not a day at forest school Kindergarten in Scotland.

My only dilemma is what to do with the microfibre fleece I already own. Every time I wash it I know I am damaging the planet. But, there is no real solution bar never buying it again.

Synthetics tend to dry faster

I disagree. DH has a synthetic mix jumper and I've got a few viscose jersey dresses and they take forever to dry. On the other hand my cashmere jumpers and silk blouses and linen clothes all dry really fast. Cotton obviously depends how thick it is, a woven blouse won't take very long whereas jeans take a while but still faster than viscose jersey.

I also think the texture of a lot of synthetics is horrible, they try and look like silk but are scratchy. I can tell just by looking if most clothes are synthetic.

I completely disagree with a PP about silk, it's a fantastic fabric that can be both cooling in the heat and warming in the winter. You don't need thermals when you're wearing a cashmere jumper over a silk blouse.

All of this is only relevant for everyday clothing, technical fabric have obviously been developed for sport and extreme weather and have their uses.

I like viscose, all my socks are bamboo ( viscose). I wouldn't dream of exercising in cotton, it gets damp and uncomfortable when sweating, most of my exercise wear is polyester/viscose. Also can't bear cotton bras. I don't own any fleece as the feel of it sets my teeth in edge.
Other than that most of my clothes are 2nd hand or my basics are mainly cotton ( but not organic, so basically not great).
So I like a mixture of natural and synthetic, different fabrics for different activities. I buy more second hand than anyone I know, so feel that is better than people buying new natural fibres.

They smell or at least make me smell. They are difficult to look after as in they don’t tend to wear well.

I just think it looks really cheap as well (even when it's not), I've sworn never to buy anything from Whistles again due to their clothes looking like rags after a couple of washes.

Cashmere/merino/silk/cotton/leather just look so much better and wear so much better than comparable synthetics.

Technical clothing is a different category though!

I was just about to ask what are people wearing for exercise then? Proper hard work exercise. Decent technical wear supports, breathes/wicks, dries very quickly and is very long lasting.
Oh and woven silk is vile, sweat just a drop and it shows horribly. Knitted silk thermals are lovely though.

Polyester makes me sweat and feel hot and uncomfortable and makes my hair static. I have no idea why it is so prolific in the shops.

"They give me a sensation like my skin is alternating between being cooked, and being cold and clammy. And that feeling doesn't stop and I don't adjust to it."

Me too.

Polyester clothes are cheap to produce. That's why they're everywhere.

I'm not bothered unless it feels horrible. I have plenty of polyester that feels like viscose. I like viscose very much. I am not fussed for acrylic jumpers simply because they do not last and disappoint when they go out of shape and can have a horrible texture. Not opposed to a mix with acrylic In it though. I am not a material snob.

Microfibre fleece feels horrible.

They make sweat unable to evaporate so you don't cool down. Plus, they absorb sweat so clothes (underarms, in particular) retain the smell even after washing.

Polyester bobbles and looks shabby long before natural fibres.

I find viscose weird - can feel like heavy cotton until it's washed. Then it needs really heavy-duty ironing to soften it up and 'stretch' it back to the original size. So, never gets worn again.

I hate polyester and I refuse to buy it if it's a top or dress, just vile, sweaty and still smells after you've washed it

Static, I know it was mentioned upthread but I get electric shocks if I’m wearing certain fibres. If I sleep under polyester and I move the blue sparking wakes me up!
I can’t use a hot tub, no great hardship, if I’m wearing a polyester swimsuit. I get shocks from car door handles, supermarket trolleys and many other things.
Did I mention the static😉😉

Your skin can't breathe.

To me it is just a sensory thing

Silk is cool on a hot day, and warm on a cool day. Polyester or Acetate are warm on a warm day, and cold on a cold day.

Also, polyester retains BO

It is also highly flammable, so more risky when cooking.

My mum loves polyester blouses with bows etc, and one caught fire once, very quickly, very scary. I stood next to her and pushed her under the the tap.

Also, I just hate how polyester and acetate are a bit like wearing a plastic bag if you sweat. The sweat is trapped and cannot evaporate. So the fabric clings to your clammy skin....

For some reason viscose or rayon are manmade fibres that act more like natural fibres, so I don't mind those.