Polyester is the New Name in Paris Fashion (WSJ Story)

[crepebacksatin]

^^ in the W article that jennifer mentioned, armani (i think??) was talking about how he either wears or recommends to men a cashmere/poly blend for a suit...

VERY intriguing, i'd love to feel it, i can definitely see that blend working...

[mishahoi]

Originally Posted by AAAA

Polyester has never been hotter.

literally


I must admit, when I bought some rather exorbitant pants from balenciaga last year, i was so surprised to see that they werent a natural fiber... they were poly cotton blend

at first i thought..."im paying HOW MUCH for polycotton?!?"
..but they`ve held up quite well... and the 100% poly detailed parts look pretty cool too.

[gius]

just remember synthetics were also developed for advantages & strengths natural fabrics just don't have
such as the wrinkle resistance, wicking moisture, ...

[SomethingElse]

It's a wonderful fabric if you don't mind that it's derived from fossil fuels (not renewable), and if you sweat, it really can smell quite awful. Unlike silk, it doesn't discolor with sweat. That's part of the reason for its popularity in the disco era. Also, it moves well. But silk does much better straight across the board, imo. Or bamboo fabrix. Using a synthetic is not very proper, I think.

[disco54]

well its a double edged sword ,its a very flattering and durable fabric but its dangerous , it catches fire sooo easily , those lanvin dresses are like one step from an ER visit seriously . My mom told of many instances in the 70s people would catch fire , and that the fabric would meld with people skins and was difficult to take out because it was not organic. Maybe technology has improved now , because linens and some cottons are very unflattering . I do have some vintage polyester quiana shirts AKA disco printscreen shirts , they fit very well

[StellaMare]

I am quite resistant to this "trend", generally, as I prefer the feel of natural fabrics (namely cashmere, wool, silk) to the feel of itchy poly..
But then, when designers use synthetics it tends to work. I have a 100% poly Nina Ricci blouse and it's just as beautiful as all of my naturals.

The H&M association with synthetics ruin them for me, though..

[softgrey]

i wonder how this fits into the whole eco-friendly trend...

....

kinda flies in the face of all that imo...
...

[gius]

yes good point

i think maybe in trends , it's always about going two ways
two contrasts

one headed one way
and then there is the "counter" , going against it, going the other way ...

but oh! it's possible to recycle polyester threads for fabric...
i'm sure i saw it somewhere today
because you can change them with heat ... to create 'new' threads

[Street_a_Licious]

poly directly on skin is a disaster. i hate the feeling.

for me, cotton is still king. can be made deliciously soft yet sturdy enough. it'S breathable and organic. what's not to love?

[karenlevy1]

yes you can recycle polyster, its a process called PET so that would be another "brownie point" for polyster!!

[gius]

thank you karenlevy1!!

description from OwenCarpet

P.E.T. (Polyethylene terephthalate) polyester is produced from recycled soft drink bottles which are produced under the rigid standards imposed by The Federal Drug and Food Administration. When converted to carpet fibers those same properties produce vibrant color which is inherently stain resistance and provides for years of durable beauty.

[Jungla_Juana]

so polyester can be treated to look and feel like silk or cotton... but does it also behave the same way on the skin? (meaning these "high-end" polyesters that Lanvin and Narciso use)

[gius]

how do u mean behave..jungla_juana...

[disco54]

my mom and cousins who grew up in the 70s , said they hate polyester, she said they were so many accidents involving people getting burned and because its synthetic it would meld on peoples skins , esp dacron but I guess technology has changed , because I dont think upscale designers would use polyester out of the blue , it must have improved but I havent worn an upend polyester product yet

[Jungla_Juana]

behaves in the sense that, apart from being soft like silk and cotton, does it let the skin breathe the same way as these natural fibers do?