Earlier this week, I was browsing one of my favorite clothing sites, hoping to find a special piece for my birthday this spring. This was a brand I trusted, known for quality fabrics at reasonable price points for a woman in her 30s. When I spotted a stunning two-tone green skirt, I clicked without hesitation.
Then I read the label: 97% polyester. Price: $250.
If you’ve shopped recently, you’ve likely had a similar reaction. Polyester, once synonymous with fast fashion and budget basics, is increasingly priced alongside silk, cotton, and organic materials. Often, it comes with an added reassurance: recycled polyester.
The Scale
According to a report by the textile non-profit group, Textile Exchange, polyester is the most widely produced fiber in the world. Global polyester production reached 63 million tonnes in 2022, up from 61 million tonnes in 2021.
Polyester’s durability makes it attractive to brands — it resists wrinkles, dries quickly, and holds its shape. But that same durability and resilience have environmental consequences. Researchers note that polyester fibers can persist in landfill conditions for more than 200 years.
With its rising prices and ecological impacts, maybe it’s time to think about our polyester problem.
The Waste
Concerns about polyester often center on what happens after we buy it — specifically, in the wash. Researchers estimate that roughly 500,000 tonnes of plastic microfibers from synthetic textiles enter the ocean each year, largely due to laundering.
Additional studies found that polyester-cotton blends released even more microfibers than 100% polyester fabrics when laundered. The small size of these fibers makes them more likely to bypass filtration systems and disperse into aquatic environments. It isn’t surprising that 35% of microplastics in the ocean come from synthetic fibers.
The False Promise of “Recycled”
According to recent industry data, less than 1% of material used to produce clothing is recycled into new clothing, meaning most polyester garments are not recycled again at the end of their life cycle.
The Price Question
Polyester has historically been considered a cost-efficient synthetic fiber due to its petroleum-based production and scalability. Yet today, it frequently appears in garments priced at $100 and above.
That doesn’t mean polyester has no place in a wardrobe. It plays a functional role in activewear, outerwear, and structured garments. But as price points climb, the gap between marketing language and material reality becomes harder to ignore. In an era of elevated price tags and eco-forward branding, material literacy may be one of the most powerful tools a shopper has. More importantly, natural fibers may be our only hope for fashion sustainability.