The Most Common Synthetic Fiber — SCI – Sport Casuals International

The Most Common Synthetic Fiber — SCI – Sport Casuals International

What Are The Pros and Cons of Polyester?

The pros of polyester are mostly material, such as its strength, flexibility, moisture resistance, ease of care, and low cost. The cons of polyester are mostly environmental, such as high energy and water consumption, pollution, and inability to biodegrade.

But there are material cons as well, such as a higher likelihood of pilling, running, and pulling.

And since polyester isn't a breathable fabric, but is moisture resistant, this can leave wet spots on people, which can easily irritate people with sensitive skin.

From a material standpoint, the pros outweigh the cons in the mind of most manufacturers, brands, and consumers - because polyester is the most widely used fabric in apparel globally.

But from an environmental view, polyester is one of the worst textiles created, exacerbated by one of the worst categories for the planet already.

That's right, the clothing industry has a massive negative impact on the earth. For instance, 10% of the planet's carbon emissions are caused by the fashion industry.

How Do You Navigate The Pros and Cons of Polyester?

There are some choices you can make to amplify the upsides and minimize the downsides when sourcing polyester fabric or garments that require the material advantages of polyester.

But first, let’s cover why polyester rose to be the top choice for clothing manufacturers in the first place, and that starts with how it's made.

The Origin and Process of Creating Polyester

The original creation of polyester dates back to the 1940s when British chemists discovered they could create a durable plastic polymer through a chemical reaction of petroleum, water, and air.

Specifically, polyester fiber is made from polyethylene terephthalate or PET - if that looks familiar, it's most likely because you've seen it on single-use plastic water bottles, as it's the most common material for them.

In just a few steps, these molecules can become PET. Here's a grossly simplified overview:

The plastic pellets (see the image at the top of this article for what it looks like) are first created through a chemical process requiring high heat and pressure.

The plastic is then extruded through fine machinery to create long plastic fibers.

These threads are spun together to create polyester yarn/thread, that is either blended or remains intact.

The polyester is then most often knitted (it can be woven) into fabric form.

The fabric is then cut and sewn to create a polyester-based garment.

Polyester is a thermoplastic that can be heated and cooled into various shapes meaning it can be used in a wide variety of settings. While clothing may be the most common use for polyester, the material is also found nearly everywhere; in items like safety belts, home furnishings, and of course, plastic water bottles. 

Price, Quality, and Speed Spurred Polyester's Adoption

The benefits that polyester offers clothing manufacturers are numerous, but most notably it's a very cheap fabric to produce.

In addition, it's much easier and faster to knit or weave polyester threads into fabric than natural fibers like cotton. This is because polyester is a man-made fiber as opposed to a plant-based one.

The quality of polyester has also increased over the years. The original polyester fabrics were quite stiff, but advances in technology have led to the development of softer, more flexible versions.

Polyester can now be made to feel and look like many natural fibers, which has only helped to increase its popularity.

All of these reasons - price, quality, and speed - have made polyester the number one choice for clothing manufacturers to use, especially in activewear and the athletic apparel space, since its quality and material advantages are far superior to what the natural options were at its inception.

Is Polyester Still Good For Clothing Today?

In terms of value, that is quality for cost, polyester is a great material for garments, as it's durable, water resistant, and holds its shape and color. This is likely a major reason polyester makes up over 50% of the total fiber market and over 80% of the synthetic fiber market.

There's a lot to like about polyester clothing as it relates to performance attributes:

Polyester fabric is durable: It tends to stretch without tearing, is resistant to abrasion and normal wear and tear, and doesn’t easily pill like other natural fibers.

Polyester fabric is water resistant: Don’t forget, polyester is a plastic and is therefore hydrophobic. When exposed to water, polyester generally repels the liquid causing droplets to form on the surface rather than absorbing moisture into the clothing.

Polyester fabric holds its shape and color: This is good for both clothing manufacturers and consumers. For the seller, textural elements like pleats can be added to clothing easily and polyester also takes on dyes very well. For the buyer, this means vibrant and wrinkle-resistant clothing.

While we’re still talking about the positives, it should also be noted that polyester blends very well with other natural or synthetic fiber choices.

It’s very common to find T-shirts made out of a cotton and polyester blend or yoga pants created from a combination of spandex and polyester. Polyester can add benefits to other fibers that wouldn’t otherwise be as strong or flexible as an example.

But there is one commonly cited reason why polyester clothing is uncomfortable. Polyester clothing is not breathable. Because polyester is a plastic material that keeps moisture out, clothing made out of 100% polyester can feel clammy and damp.

For similar reasons, polyester clothing also tends to hold odor and moisture inside rather than wicking away sweat or letting air flow through.

Comfort aside, the real dirt on polyester has to do with sustainability - or the lack thereof.