Polyester's Bad Reputation Questioned by Experts Amid Natural Fiber Trend

Experts are disputing the negative perception of polyester, which accounted for almost 60% of the world's fiber production in 2024. Although often associated with lower-quality fast fashion retailers such as Shein, Zara, and H&M, polyester offers several advantages: it is resilient, resists wrinkles, maintains its shape, readily absorbs dyes, dries swiftly, and can also be water-repellent and UV-resistant, making it ideal for items like jackets, luggage, swimwear, and athletic wear. The preference for natural fibers is complicated by the fact that cotton consumes 200,000 tonnes of pesticides and 8 million tonnes of fertilizers each year, with 1 kg requiring approximately 10,000 liters of water. Furthermore, allegations that polyester causes skin irritation or impacts male fertility are unsupported. Assessing sustainability in garments necessitates a broader perspective than just labels.