{
  "id": 4939114,
  "title": "The Backlash Against Polyester Has Gone Too Far",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/01/the-backlash-against-polyester-has-gone-too-far",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-01T21:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Atlantic",
    "slug": "the-atlantic",
    "url": "https://www.theatlantic.com/health/2026/09/natural-fibers-synthetic-polyester-nylon/688488/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Recently, a new obsession has emerged among self-optimization enthusiasts on the internet: their underwear. Many standard pairs use polyester or spandex, or sometimes both. These materials have come under scrutiny for their potential environmental impact and their potential health effects on the wearer. People are yearning for the underwear of their ancestors – underwear made from natural fibers. On Reddit forums such as r/PlasticFreeLiving and r/SustainableFashion, people are sharing strategies for breaking up with polyester boxer briefs. One user asked for recommendations on finding linen cloth for making their own underwear. Another sought recommendations for all-natural underwear that would also be formfitting, acknowledging that organic cotton and hemp can chafe. Whitney Crutchfield, a textile development teacher at the Fashion Institute of Technology, noticed a growing trend among her sustainability-minded students towards natural-fiber mania. This trend has since shifted towards regular consumers, with many swearing off synthetics forever. The enthusiasm for natural fibers cuts across gender, culture, and politics. Fashion journalist Liana Satenstein noted the emergence of a new generation of natural-fiber workout wear, praised on social media alongside posts about French pedicures and vintage Prada thongs. Anonymous wellness influencer Carnivore Aurelius, who sells \"beef collagen peptides,\" even posted \"Make all clothes natural fibers again\" on social media. Natural fibers like silk, wool, hemp, linen, and cotton are indeed preferable to their synthetic counterparts. They don’t shed microplastics, are generally biodegradable, and may avoid adverse hormonal effects linked to synthetics. They can also signify a garment's quality, as they often cost more and feel more luxurious than synthetics. The anti-synthetic attitude has spilled over into everyday language, with Gen Z using polyester as an insult meaning \"cheap\" and \"inauthentic.\" However, the fixation on natural fibers might be going too far. While natural fibers have their benefits, man-made fibers like nylon have their unique properties that can enhance a garment's performance, durability, and lifespan. Synthetic fibers can make clothes more convenient to care for, offering features like stretch, moisture-wicking, and resistance to wear and tear. While synthetic clothing can release microplastics, it is unclear how swapping out stretch pants significantly reduces exposure. Moreover, the obsession with natural fibers overlooks semi-synthetic fibers like Tencel, modal, and rayon, which are made from natural plant material but may have significant environmental impacts during production. Terms like organic cotton, regenerative cotton, and recycled cotton provide insights into a fiber's production method but do not necessarily ensure environmental friendliness. Thus, while the shift towards natural fibers is commendable, it is essential to consider the broader context and the specific benefits that synthetic fibers can offer.",
  "summary": "Clothing made from natural fibers isn’t always better.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}