When Did All Our Clothes Become Plastic?

Most people don’t realise that fabrics fall into three main categories:

1. Natural

These are the fibres that humans have worn for thousands of years — cotton, wool, silk, and linen. They come from plants or animals and are breathable, biodegradable, and often feel beautiful against the skin.

2. Artificial

This is an interesting middle ground. Fabrics like viscose and rayon are made from cellulose — the structural part of plants — that is chemically broken down and reformed into fibres. They start natural but are transformed by human engineering.

3. Synthetic

This is where things get slippery. Synthetics like polyester, nylon, acrylic, and elastane are made from petrochemicals. Yes, crude oil. The same thing that plastics are made from, so these fabrics are effectively plastic! Through chemical refining, oil is turned into fibres, spun into yarn, and woven into fabric. According to RMIT research, 62% of the clothes in our wardrobes are now made from plastic.

The Birth of Synthetics

So where did all this begin? The turning point was 1939, when nylon stockings hit the market. Silk was expensive and scarce during the war, so nylon offered a revolutionary alternative. After WWII, returning soldiers even gifted nylon stockings to sweethearts — they were that desirable.

 

From there, synthetics snowballed. In the 1950s and 60s, homes filled with “white goods” — washing machines, irons, fridges — and easy-care fabrics slotted perfectly into this new lifestyle. Clothes that didn’t need hand-washing or hours of ironing meant the working class could emulate a life of ease once reserved for the wealthy. Nylon stockings, polyester dresses, and drip-dry shirts felt like modern luxury.

The Hidden Vice of Synthetics

While synthetic fabrics seemed miraculous, they came with downsides we’re still living with. Unlike natural fibres, synthetics take hundreds of years to break down in landfill. Yet that doesn’t mean they last forever in our wardrobes.

Think of cracked vinyl boots that go slimy, or the foam padding in bras that crumbles into sticky dust. There’s even a term — “devil dust” — for the noxious particles released when polyester degrades. These clothes don’t age gracefully.

More recently, concerns have been raised about the health impacts of synthetic fabrics. When polyester, nylon, or other plastics are worn, they can shed microscopic fibres that may be inhaled or absorbed through the skin, contributing to the growing problem of microplastics in the human body.

On top of that, many synthetics are treated with dyes, flame retardants, and finishing agents that can irritate the skin or, in some cases, interfere with our hormones. While research is still emerging, it’s worth remembering that these fabrics sit directly against our skin for hours every day — making fabric choice not just an environmental decision, but a personal health one too.

 

France Fights Back

Some governments are beginning to act. France has recently introduced taxes on ultra-fast fashion garments and even cracked down on advertising that promotes fast fashion. It’s a recognition that the real cost of cheap synthetic clothing isn’t the price tag — it’s the environmental and human toll.

Dressing With Awareness

We have noticed that Our Island Family are already very aware of what fabrics they put in their wardrobes, and most importantly on their bodies! So where do you get started? It starts with something simple: read your clothing labels. Ask yourself:

• What is this fabric made from?
• How will it feel to wear? Is it breathable?
• How long will it last me — in style and in quality?
• What will happen to it when I’m finished with it?

 

Choosing natural or responsibly-made artificial fabrics is one way of dressing not just for fashion, but for well-being. Clothes should move with you, breathe with you, and last more than just a few wears.

Its one of the reasons we choose cotton.

One love,