STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

I hate polyester and especially acrylic, and I am HORRIFIED at the way formerly reliable brands (banana, ann taylor) have switched from pieces made with all wool or cotton to mostly synthetic blends - for which they charge MORE than they used to! In a side note, ann taylor's shoes used to be made in Italy. Now they're still $98 and up per pair, but they're made in BRAZIL. But anyway, what happened to all the real fabrics? It seems like it's been more and more difficult to find.

This could be because I am trapped ina town where the only store I will go into is Express - but even there, I have an old express sweater that is all wool. And now all I can find there is a synthetic.

And I bought a pair of Express editors, and sure, they fit well, but I just assumed they were wool until I'd worn them a couple times, and then I looked at the tag, and they were 100 percent polyester. So they looked good for a little while, and it was nice to be able to machine wash them (cold, delicate cycle, lay flat to dry - I take care of my things). But in less than a season, they had bagged. They were pilly-looking. And the hem fell out. Sure $80 pants aren't really expensive. But I was still mad... (and the fabric always felt really stuffy whenever it was warm - it doesn't breathe).

This is totally a pet peeve for me. I don't mind paying for nice things. But I HATE paying for things that look nice but, in reality, are poor quality. And fabric is a VERY important measure of quality for me. Any line that tries to sell $300 100 percent polyester dresses is not really ok with me. As for the Forever 21 stuff, I try to stick with cotton, if possible. The sheen that synthetics have really bothers me. And the drape of that slip-like material that they use for so many of their shirts is just really icky to me.

So that was my rant as for your questions: Yes, the material is a very important part of my decision to buy something, and now I always check the tag. No, I will not just buy for the style, regardless of the fabric, because I dont' think synthetics wear well or feel good while I'm wearing them. Yes, I can tell when an item is polyester, and, depending on how bad it is, I will judge another girl for it. I really think it's just bad style to wear those thick polyester tops or plastic-looking shoes.

-- Edited by Dizzy at 18:59, 2007-03-17

atlgirl wrote:

---

in fact, I don't believe I own anything that even has polyester in it. And I won't wear acrylic either. It doesn't wear well, doesn't keep me warm (in sweaters), and doesn't hold up well. Three strikes!

---

same here. i even avoid rayon, even though it technically isn't synthetic. luckily, i haven't been in a position where i find something i NEED in a synthetic fiber... i can usually find a cute(r) substitute in cotton/wool.

tinklestar wrote:

---

and lastly, if you don't prefer polyester, do you tend to "look down" at people who wear do wear it?

---

i don't think an item's fiber content qualifies as a status symbol (unless it's made from the ponyhair of a rainbow colored unicorn or something).  it's a personal preference.


-- Edited by squishy at 01:11, 2007-03-18

I prefer natural materials just because they look and feel better to me. Polyester just tends to feel icky and look too shiny and clingy. But no, it's not a status symbol for me.

I usually don't buy clothes with polyester in them, not because I specifically look for the fabric content and weed things out because of that, but because I just don't feel comfortable in them and notice when I'm trying them on that I feel uncomfortable. I cannot wear tops that don't breath, because I feel so gross by the end of the day.

I do have an old black polyester A-line skirt, though, that I've had for several years and I still wear it all the time. I think I haven't felt the need to replace it because it's a skirt (and breathes much better because of that) and I usually wear it in situations where I'm not moving around a whole lot (work, etc.)

I do avoid rayon, but not for any kind of cheapness/breathability issues. I feel like it wrinkles way too easily.

I think fabric content is very very important - it contributes to the longevity and quality of the item. As with most, I prefer natural fibers for anything I plan on wearing indefinitely. If a blend is less than say 5 or 8 percent poly or lycra, I'm OK, but any more is pushing it. Some blends containing synthetics that are good quality do enhance the life and wear of an item. Others have the opposite effect.

That said, I have two pairs of dress slacks that are about 8 or 9 years old that are poly, and they still look and feel great. I think I paid less than $100 for both at Macy's; they're the private label 'Charter Club.' I agree that Express, BR, and other mall stores are charging increasingly higher prices for items of decreasing quality - but in the case of these slacks, I've been happy with how they've worn.

In response to whether I can tell the difference, sometimes no. I've seen really good quality poly I'd have sworn was silk.

Do I look down on people who wear it? Well, I gotta be honest: occasionally. Such as a young woman with a career-type job driving an expensive car, living in an expensive part of town, eating an expensive lunch, talking on an expensive cell phone with an expensive haircut and manicure...wearing a very obviously polyester suit. 'Look down' may not be the best phrase...maybe I should say I'm sad that her mama never taught her any sense.

Acrylic is just universally awful, but to answer your question, I suppose if I saw an absolutely adorable acrylic cardigan and didn't expect to wear it more than a season, I'd be OK with it - but I try not to shop like that. In your case, grabbing a few trendy tops at F21 probably won't send you straight to the fashion don't page. However, the general theory is if you can find something you love in a better quality elsewhere, it seems to outlive the trend and will be more wearable in future seasons.

Also with the "recycle rate" speeding up, you'll have these things in your closet the next time the Kabuki/Kimono/Noh or Grateful Dead Groupie look is in again.

I agree with most of the girls - in general I don't like polyester decause of the breathability factor - but as Suasoria mentioned - it really depends on the quality of the polyester. Working in manufacturing - you can find some REALLY good poly or poly blends - swear they are like chiffon or silks. It's all a matter of how much the manufacturer will pay for their materials.

I've had some really good poly pants from Club Monaco and Express in the past. They've held up well - and wash really easily - but now the quality in their stores seem a lot worse.

I do HATE acrylic though. In terms of sweaters - I don't like the synthetic stuff. Itchy, non-breathable, pilly. I have bought in the past though - so I'm not one to look down on someone for wearing it - it's just that they have a short life and people really need to retire some things a lot sooner than keep wearing them (my mom included).

I thought about this thread the other day when I put on a 100% poly nightie from VS that I. Swear. To. God. is an amazing replica of silk. I never shop there, but I got it when I exchanged a wedding shower gift about five years ago. I was feeling completely uncomfortable all the time I was in the store, and wanted to get in and out in a hurry, so I didn't even realize it wasn't silk until much later!

Just one for the "there you go" file.