Is polyester *really* that bad?

I have a couple of dressy occasions (cocktail wear) coming up and given that my style is in flux I want to try something new and yet not spend a fortune. I have been scouring the net for ages looking for something suitable and a couple of options have come close but are either four inches too short like this silk one
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Untold-P.....6672a55ba3
or they are perfect but polyester. I keep returning to this Gap dress in green (please note the more modest neckline on the green photo) but the fabric is stopping me purchasing.
http://www.gap.eu/browse/produ.....pid=842656
I think the colour will work okay with skin tone (but I have been stung by how Gap's colours appear on their website), I think the type of drape may work on my angular frame and as a Brucey Bonus it will look lovely with my new necklace pictured.

So in this instance is polyester really that bad? I still have a month should I keep looking for silk? Help

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13 years ago

MsMaven

Veteran

Good quality polyester is better than cheap silk I think. I don't know what the Gap dress would be like. It is disappointing to find something you like and it's polyester. I think the biggest problem is that it doesn't breathe well and after it's washed it often clings. I did have some decent poly things back in the 80s.

Beautiful necklace--I love the shapes and the shade of green.

Kristine

I don't think it's that bad but it depends on the polyester. Modern polyester is different than heavy 70s polyester. It'd be nice to see it in person but I'm sure it'd be fine!

Maya

No, there is nothing wrong with polyester. The reason that I (and Khris and other forum members who have to suffer in hot climates) hate polyester is because it isn't breathable, and when it's hot and especially when it's humid, breathable fabric is an absolute must or you'll drown in your own perspiration.

I have no problem wearing polyester in autumn and winter.

A lot of clothes snobs hate polyester because they believe natural fabrics are inherently better. I don't agree with this, personally. Clothes can look cheap and shoddy in any fabric, including silk.

Diana

I tend to avoid polyester mostly for the reason Maya stated - that it's hot and sweaty, and I tend to run warm. I also find some poly, particularly knitted (rather than woven) poly, to be incredibly itchy when touching my bare skin, but I think most people don't have this problem. I am really afraid of polyester pants for this reason!

Eta: meant to add that I think that most modern poly *looks* great and I often can't tell by looking whether a garment is poly or not.

April

Total agreement here: modern, higher-grade poly is perfectly fine, as long as it's not hot and humid out.

And low-grade polyester -- the kind that boys' baseball pants are made out of nowadays -- is nasty under any circumstances.

Marigold

Active Member

April, you description of the cheap poly gave me shudders - poor baseball league boys playing in the hot weather!

marianna

I wear poly blouses and see nothing wrong with them. The right poly garment can look just as nice as silk, in my opinion. And a plus: machine washable!

RoseandJoan

Well it looks as though the Gap dress may be viable, I'm not so much a fabric snob as fabric clueless! Part of my trepidation is that one of the only machine washable polyester items I own literally disintegrated in the wash but I think it was poor construction rather than the fabric. Angie do you think this style of draped wrap could work on an angular hourglass? I'm giving you the chance to 100% veto!

Barbara

I don't mind a small percentage of polyester in my clothes, but here in NC, the summers are brutally hot and sticky.

Polyester does not breathe!

So even if a dress or top is absolutely FIERCE, if it's more than 10% polyester, I don't even bother.

MsMary

I'm an unrepentant polyester wearer. It gets hot here but not humid, so I've never had a particular problem with breathability or lack thereof.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Polyester has it's place FOR SURE. I wrote a post about that.

I like the Gap dress!

Jonesy

I have several polyester tops and dresses. It's true that they don't breathe, but since I'm almost always in temperature-controlled environments, it's not really an issue :). Would I wear something polyester to go on a hike, mow the lawn, or walk the dog in the summer? No, but for work or for an event, sure.

cheryle (Dianthus)

I used to refuse to buy anything that was pure polyester. I have relented of late. I was shopping for a suit two years ago and couldn't tell what was wool and what was poly from the feel of the fabric. I won't buy anything that has that plasticy rubbery feel but do buy poly and poly blends that feel soft to the hand.

After all of my procrastinating, I noticed this dress in the ASOS sale and new I had to have it. It's quite basic but I know I can dress it up. It's now sold out but I have some photos. It feels so good to just buy something and know I love it. I really hope it fits!

ETA no polyester but a wool viscose mix in this one

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Is polyester really that bad?