Shedding Our Synthetic Skin
Polyester, we need to talk... It’s over – it's not us, it’s you.
Across the fashion landscape, society is beginning to reevaluate its relationship with synthetic fibers — materials created through industrial chemical processes. From runway to retail, there’s a growing return to the tactile, breathable beauty of natural alternatives.
In the past few months, it seems Americans have opened their eyes to the chemicals we are eating, drinking, and wearing. Instagram Reels and TikTok have become flooded with content calling out man-made materials, pushing instead for organic options and cleaner living.
Sure, many of us have ditched plastic straws, water bottles, and grocery bags. But the plastic we wear every day? That part of the conversation is just beginning.
So… What exactly is the problem with plastic clothing?
Synthetic garments, such as nylon, polyester, or rayon, are made from manmade fibers, typically derived from petroleum-based plastics, and can contain upwards of 10,000 different chemicals. These clothes are often built for short-term use, and once discarded, they break down into micro- and nanoplastics that pollute landfills, waterways, and even the air we breathe.
Even if you’re keeping your synthetic pieces in rotation, they’re still shedding. The Plastic Pollution Coalition estimates that discarded plastic clothing has already released at least 1.4 quintillion microfibers into the ocean, and washing synthetic clothes is responsible for 35% of the microplastics polluting our oceans.
These plastic pieces are here to stay. Contrary to popular belief, synthetic fibers do degrade, just not in a good way. Instead of degrading, they fragment into microscopic pieces that can end up in our lungs, bloodstream, even our brain and reproductive organs. They become part of us.
Emerging research points to concerning possibilities. Animal and cellular studies suggest links between microplastic exposure and serious health issues like cancer, cardiovascular disease, and reproductive harm. While the science is still young, and much remains uncertain, the early signs are enough to raise red flags.
It wasn’t until last year that examinations of the risk of microplastics started to be published.
Which leads to an uncomfortable but important question:
Could the clothes we wear be another way microplastics are entering our bodies?
What can we do?
While avoiding microplastics entirely may be unrealistic, there are still meaningful steps we can take to reduce our exposure. True change will require bold shifts at the policy and industry level—but that doesn’t mean we’re powerless.
Small switches can go a long way:
Choose natural fibers (like cotton, linen, hemp, and wool) over synthetic ones.
Wash synthetic garments less often and on gentler cycles.
Use microplastic-filtering laundry bags or washing machine filters.
Support brands committed to transparency and sustainability.
It’s about being intentional. Not just with what we wear, but how we care for it and who we support with our dollars.
Considering investing in all-natural clothing pieces? Check out a few of my favorite brands: MATE the Label, Eileen Fisher, and pact —all committed to creating garments that are as kind to your skin as they are to the planet.
By simply taking a look at the tags on your clothing, you can not only help to heal our environment, but you can participate in a global resurgence striving to take care of our bodies.
Like a bad ex, plastic doesn’t take the hint. It sticks around for centuries, even after we've moved on.
So, the question still remains… is this just a passing trend, or the start of something permanent? My take? Do the research. Take the steps. Make the change. Break up with plastic and don’t look back.
