8 Reasons to ditch synthetic clothing

We once lived simple lives – grew our own vegetables, ate homemade food, wore cotton clothes and generally lived a peaceful and healthy life. Over the last few decades, there has been a drastic shift in our lifestyles; and consumerism and the global market haven’t brought in any relief. If anything, the quality of life has greatly reduced and we’ve been left with fewer healthy choices. We are constantly, knowingly or unknowingly, pumping our bodies with toxins and chemicals. The by-products of our choices have an adverse effect on our environment.

There is one area which we can control and that is our choice in clothing. Many favour synthetic clothing over natural fibres, such as cotton, linen and silk, simply because it’s cheap, durable and convenient to maintain. Although wearing synthetic clothing may have short term advantages, the downside of these fabrics are greater and extremely damaging both to our bodies as well as our planet.

Here are the top reasons why you should ditch your synthetic clothing altogether.

1. Synthetic fibres are made from plastic and oil by-products. Would you go around wearing a plastic bag? If your answer to that is no, then why would you wear something that is essentially plastic and petroleum based? Synthetic clothing includes fabrics like nylon, polyester, rayon, acrylic, modal and spandex among others. These artificial fibres are made from crudes and intermediates including petroleum, coal, limestone and water. The process of changing petroleum into polyester is a long, toxic and nasty process. Some of the chemicals which are waste products of the manufacturing process are washed into our waterways. Most of these chemicals are impossible to break down, meaning the water is polluted forever. The production of nylon emits nitrous oxide, a greenhouse gas 300 times more dangerous to the ozone layer than carbon dioxide.
2. Synthetic fibres require synthetic dyes. Synthetic fibres do not absorb natural dyes; which means they have to be dyed in chemical dyes. These chemicals end up in water bodies which is extremely hazardous.
3. Synthetic fabrics do not breathe. We live in a tropical climate wherein synthetic clothes are not at all conducive. There is a reason why our ancestors preferred cotton clothing; and that reason is that natural fibres tend to breathe as opposed to synthetic ones. Cotton and linen fabric is best suited for warm summers as they keep the body cool.
4. Synthetic fabrics pose health risks. Synthetic fibres can cause rashes and allergies in many people as they are plastic based and do not breathe. Polyester is strongly linked to hormonal disruption. More and more cancerous diseases are being attributed to our constant exposure to petrochemical-based products like plastic and polyester.
5. Synthetic fibres have a low melting point. This means that they burn more easily than natural fibres and melt. Synthetic fabrics can stick to the body and cause severe burns if caught on fire.
6. Synthetic fabrics have low water absorbency. Because of its low water absorbency, it sticks to the body during perspiration and holds bacteria; causing odours. Most people try to cover up body odours by introducing more chemicals on the body and clothes in the form of perfumes, fragranced laundry detergents and fabric softeners, which again are harmful. It is thus very uncomfortable and unpleasant to wear in the summers and causes electrostatic charge by rubbing in the winters.
7. Synthetic fabrics release micro fibres. They are prone to damage by hot washing and release micro fibres in every wash. While this may not sound as alarming since we cannot see the micro fibres that are released, it is a huge matter of concern for the environment. These fibres leach into the environment and contribute to ocean plastic pollution in a subtle but pervasive way. The tiny fibres are less than 5 millimetres in length with diameters measured in micrometres. They find their way into the diets of marine life and accumulate throughout the food chain. Worldwide, there are vigorous efforts to reduce the use of some of the products that end up in oceans such as plastic cups, straws and shopping bags. We need to recognize that our clothing is a major part of the problem and will need to be part of the solution as well.
8. Synthetic fibres are non-biodegradable. Because synthetic fabrics are made from by-products of petroleum, they are non-biodegradable and unsustainable to the environment. Mountains of synthetic throwaway apparel end up in landfills where they do not break down, water tables are disrupted and deadly new forms of malaria grown in the still ponds they create.

The biggest advantage of synthetic clothing is that it is cheap. But is this advantage worth putting your health and future at risk? Make a conscious effort to adopt natural fabrics rather than synthetic ones.

Until next time, stay stylish!

(Ninoshka Alvares-Delaney is a Fashion Designer. You can follow her on Instagram and Facebook @ninoshkaindia)