Does anyone actually wear polyester dresses or shirts?

[EleanorReally]

I keep getting pop ups advertising these lovely dresses and shirts from various places, but in 99.9% of them they are polyester.
I cannot wear polyester?
can I?
I am a hot person

I have some lovely polyester blouses for work that feel and look more expensive than they were, they also wash brilliantly and don't need ironing, but I also have some that were cheaper and look it, so I'd go Warehouse not H&M, based on my experience!

All polyester isn’t created equal. I’ve got a pair of very expensive polyester crepe trousers which drape beautifully and feel like silk. You genuinely would never guess they were polyester.

Microfibre polyester I think is used for a lot of technical and breathable sports clothing. Polyester is a type of fibre that can be made into many fabrics, it’s very simplistic to write it all off.

I like natural fibres as much as anyone but for workwear and uniforms Polycotton and poly viscose fabrics can be perfectly serviceable and nicely finished fabrics. Yes you can get cheap rough shiny stuff (mostly from M&S) but you can get cheap shrinky cotton t shirts too. Few fabrics are without environmental impact of some sort.

I have spent a lot of time looking for fabrics this month and have some lovely polyester duchesse satin to make a prom dress. It doesn’t look cheap and horrible and it certainly won’t by the time I’ve finished with it.

I also love viscose and modal and they are my fabrics of choice for most clothes. I iron everything so it's not an issue, but if you're trying to avoid ironing, viscose chiffon is not a good choice, it always needs ironing as the nature of the fabric causes it to shrink in the wash. Irons right back into shape though. It's breathable and non-sweaty.

Some women are just less sweaty than others. And the environmental impact of cotton production is absolutely shocking. Wool and silk are lovely but of course some people have ethical qualms. I prefer viscose but it’s not suitable for every garment.

I'm fine with polymix but a never buy that shiny 100% polyester.

And the environmental impact of cotton production is absolutely shocking. I had heard similar too.
Plus I’m plus size so finding something ethical, fitting AND affordable is a trifecta of impossible. Viscose definitely needs ironing too and I’m not an iron person.
Unfortunately polyester is cheap and easy to produce so yes lots will wear and won’t look / care because it’s all a lot can afford.

As others have said, there is polyester and there is polyester. Some feels more breatheable than others.

Also, the design of the garment plays a part - if it's tight under the arms and round the neck you are more likely to find it sweaty.

Lastly, some people just don't sweat much! I used to, back in my twenties, and had to use extra-strong anti-perspirant, and avoid manmade fabrics like the plague, but at 52, post-menopause, it's very different. Polyester is fine.

I really like viscose blouses because they hang well and wash well.

I bought some satin look pyjamas without looking at the material on the label and they are polyester, but weirdly they feel cool on.

I like polyester 🤷‍♀️

If something's going to be near my armpits then I prefer prefer cotton, linen or silk. Some visocse/modal is also ok. Elsewhere I don't mind a polyester mix as I find it hangs better and it's easier to dry and iron.

And I agree it's too simplistic to equate 'natural' fabric with good and synthetic with all that's evil. A lot of cotton basics on the high street now are absolute shite and, if you're having to replace them all the time then I don't see how that can be called sustainable. And that's without all the water consumption and pesticides involved in growing cotton.

@SilentSister that’s a bit of a generalisation! I’m vegan and most vegans I know are very conscious of what materials they wear.

It’s not a choice between animal products and plastics is it? There are many more environmentally friendly materials. Lots of vegan brands are using pinatex, tencel, recycled or upcycled materials etc. Further lots of vegans try and reduce consumption - fast fashion is very damaging for the environment.

I wear polyester. There must be different types because I do find some tops make me sweaty but many others don't.

I try to wear a thin cotton layer under the "sweaty" ones and problem solved.

The print and designs in some polyester clothes can be very nice. Of course if I could afford the same in silk, I'd probably go for it!

I avoit it if I can but it is difficult and I do have a fair few polyester items. Nightmare when it is hot!

I agree. There are some brands that I don’t even look at anymore as I I know anything that looks nice will be polyester. That’s especially annoying in formal wear or evening wear where I might be a bit tense or anxious anyway without the added complication of sweat rings!

There are a few exceptions. I’ve just bought a lovely Phase Eight dress that is a polyester slip with an embroidered polyester fine net overlay. The holes In the net overlay add much needed ventilation and make it not sweaty.

I try to avoid it because it makes me smell bad, really quickly. Ok for trousers etc but polyester and my underarms are not a suitable combination.

But there are definitely different quality polyester fabrics, they're not all horrible. But I do wince a bit at shops charging silk prices for for polyester fabrics.

I'd love to be able to track down more bamboo clothes, as it seems like a viable alternative to cotton.