BE COOL THIS SUMMER WITH POLYESTER

With the Summer here, we all are busy swapping our wardrobes with clothes to stay cool and keep sweat at bay. People still think that cotton is the best fabric for summer over polyester, to keep you cool and comfortable during the hot weather. Even I held the same belief that polyester is not an ideal choice for summer until I experienced the amazing benefits of polyester clothing during summer.

I’m writing this blog especially to break the misconception about polyester not being a suitable fabric for summer and also to give an insight into the various benefits of polyester fabrics.

Currently, many fashion brands and designers extensively use polyester fabrics for their summer collections. Polyester is used in a wide range of clothing that people wear in the summer such as t-shirts, shorts, pants, jackets, and undergarments. The material has several benefits which make it suitable for active summer wear and your fitness regimes.

Polyester 101: A Fabric Introduction

First invented in 1941 by British chemists John Rex Whinfield and James Tennant Dickson, polyester became increasingly popular in the 1970s thanks to the way it was advertised as “a miracle fibre that can be worn for 68 days straight without ironing, and look presentable”.

Polyester fabric is a synthetic material derived from ethylene glycol and purified terephthalic acid, which meltdown to produce polyethene terephthalate (PET). That sounds extremely scientific, but basically, polyester is a kind of fabric generated from petroleum.

Polyester has a lot of stigmas due to the old-fashioned polyester. However, modern polyester has improved by leaps and bounds and is now a higher-grade fibre. Technological advances have dramatically improved the feel, drape and look of polyester.

Below are the amazing facts about Polyester which perhaps will change your outlook on this synthetic fabric.

1) Moisture-wicking

If you sweat a lot in summer, moisture-wicking fabrics can be a lifesaver! Polyester fabric has excellent sweat-wicking properties which allow your clothes to absorb sweat, which is often embarrassing during the hot weather or your fitness session. It uses capillary action to move your sweat away from your body so it can evaporate and dry quickly, providing you with cooling relief that even a highly permeable material like linen can’t supply.

2) Breathable

Some people claim that polyester is non-breathable. Others love polyester wear because they say it is super permeable! This big difference of opinion stems from the fact that the structure is everything for synthetic fabrics. Thanks to polyester mesh construction fabrics which have larger air gaps between the yarns and thus allow more airflow and give a super lightweight feel. Special features like mesh panels can allow for extra airflow on areas you sweat more which is merely impossible in cotton.

3) Sun Protection

Polyester usually has 3 to 4 times better UV protection than cotton. This is because Polyester reflects the radiation but cotton absorbs it. Apart from this more and more clothing and outdoor companies are carrying garments promoting an ultraviolet protection factor (UPF). The higher the UPF value, the more protection you get from UV rays which is a major cause for skin cancer.

UPF Rating	Protection Category	% UV Radiation Blocked
UPF 15–24	Good	93.3–95.9
UPF 25–39	Very Good	96.0–97.4
UPF 40–50+	Excellent	97.5–99+

 

4) Anti Microbial treatment

When you sweat, the bacteria on your skin consumes the nutrients in your sweat and breaks it down, producing odour. Antimicrobial treatments are done on polyester fabric which inhibits the growth of unpleasant odours before they start on the garments by controlling bacterial growth. This makes a product with antimicrobial fabric stay fresher longer so you can wear it with confidence throughout the hot sunny day.

5) Wrinkle resistant & easy care

Aside from all the above, the best quality of polyester is its easy maintenance.

Polyester is quick-drying, which means you can easily hang it up to drip-dry in your shower. It is machine washable and can be dry cleaned.

It is highly wrinkle-resistant, so you can wear it all day without looking shabby by dinnertime. So move, travel and live life fully without the fear of a wrinkled outfit.

6) Durability

  Polyester fibres are incredibly strong, meaning they don’t tear, stretch, or pill easily like cotton and other natural fibres. This strength means polyester clothing can easily handle abrasion from machine-washing and doesn’t require special care. The durability of polyester fabric has made it especially popular for outdoor clothing.

7)   Elasticity

Knitted Polyester is stretchy by its nature and it does not lose its original size and shape. This allows for comfort and freedom of movement while you are wearing polyester garments, unlike cotton which restricts your movements. Polyester is often blended with other materials such as spandex or elastane for clothes that need a lot of stretchiness.

Beat the Heat with Polyester

Cotton is an excellent choice for non-active summer clothes. But if you are planning to work out, run, do yoga, train, travel, or indulge in any active sessions in hot weather, it's better to avoid cotton. The main reason is that cotton absorbs sweat and it gives a damp and heavy feel whereas polyester wicks sweat and releases it to the atmosphere quickly which gives a cool, light and dry feel even in a hot climate.

Modern polyesters can feel and look as beautiful as natural fabrics, but it is all about ensuring you opt for a high-grade version or the right blend. Do your research, check labels, and always try on and there is no reason you and polyester can’t be friends.