Are you mindful of the fabrics you wear?

If you don polyester garments more often than other fabrics, especially while exercising or doing physical activities, you need to read this. Nowadays, most people most of the time wear clothing made of polyester or a blend of it, as polyester is everywhere! But did you know this petroleum-based fabric is treated with a variety of toxic chemicals that bleed into our skin, especially while exercising or doing physical activities, leading to hormonal disruption, thyroid dysfunction, liver and kidney damage, metabolic imbalances, fertility issues, and increased risk of certain cancers? In fact, polyester is nothing but a derivative of plastic!

What is Polyester?

A man-made synthetic fibre, polyester is typically produced through a process called polymerization. Hence, its name is shortened to represent a polymer with ester bonds. Manufactured from the non-renewable fossil fuel petroleum, polyester is made of long chains of repeating monomers linked together through a chemical process. One of the most common types of polyester is polyethylene terephthalate (PET), frequently used in plastic bottles and packaging. 

Polyester has a long history with its origin dating back to the early 1900s. While it is known for its flexibility, durability, moisture resistance, ease of care, and low cost, the cons outweigh the pros multifold. Polyester garments are often treated with chemicals like formaldehyde for wrinkle resistance and shrinkage control, phthalates as softeners or dye binders, flame retardants like PBDEs or organophosphates for fire safety, and PFAS for water and stain resistance also known as forever chemicals since they are almost impossible to get rid of. These synthetic compounds have carbon-fluorine bonds, some of the strongest in chemistry, and don’t break down easily in the environment. Natural polyesters and a few synthetic ones are biodegradable, but most synthetic polyesters are not. Synthetic polyesters are used extensively in clothing.

Polyester is plastic!

Due to its chemical composition, polyester is considered a plastic, a thermoplastic to be specific, as it can be softened and moulded by heat. Polyester is also used to make bottles, tarpaulins, sails, canoes, liquid crystal displays, holograms, filters, dielectric films for capacitors, film insulation for wire, insulating tapes, etc. It is widely used as a finish on high-quality wood products such as guitars, pianos, vehicle & yacht interiors, and more. Industrial polyester fibres, yarns, and ropes are used in car tire reinforcements, fabrics for conveyor belts, safety belts, coated fabrics and plastic reinforcements with high-energy absorption.

Clearly, you can see that polyester is essentially plastic and chokes our skin; a 100% polyester garment can feel sticky and smelly as it’s not a breathable material, and locks bacteria and odour in.

Effect on humans

Polyester clothing can leach toxic chemicals like PFAS, formaldehyde, phthalates, flame retardants into our skin through contact, sweat, or heat, posing potential health risks over time. PFAS and phthalates, absorbed through the skin in trace amounts, mimic or block hormones like oestrogen and testosterone leading to hormonal disruptions and fertility issues in both women and men, such as irregular ovulation or reduced sperm count while also risking breast or testicular cancer. Flame retardants like PBDEs interfere with thyroid hormones, causing metabolism disruption and may contribute to thyroid or liver cancer and liver damage from toxic buildup seen in animal studies. Formaldehyde can cause irritation of the eyes, nose, throat, and potentially contribute to cancer, respiratory dysfunction like asthma, impair memory and cognitive functions, especially with high levels of exposure over long periods. They’ve also been found to contain BPA, which is an endocrine disruptor. Moreover, polyester is one of the biggest culprits of microplastic accumulation in our bodies, and every time you wash those polyester sheets, hundreds of thousands of microplastic particles are released into the waterways thus contaminating our oceans and disrupting the ecosystem.

Gymming or working out? Moisture-wicking fabrics made from synthetic materials like polyester, acrylic, or nylon, are often preferred in athletic wear, gym & outdoor clothing, and even in some everyday garments, due to their non-absorbent and quick-drying properties. However, they have quite the opposite effect: especially while working out, one needs to wear breathable fabrics that feel comfortable on the skin, instead, when polyester is worn, bacteria is trapped by the fabric as the skin can’t breathe, thereby reeking of sweat after just one-time wear, while also leaking harmful chemicals into the body through heat and sweat generated during physical activity.

Reproductive health: Several studies* by A. Shafik about the effect of polyester vs natural fabrics on reproductive health revealed fascinating facts. In the experiments, Shafik got dogs and rats dressed up in polyester pants for several months, and their sperm count, sexual activity, testosterone levels and ovulation were observed. While the ones wearing natural fabrics had no change in these parameters, those wearing polyester had a deleterious effect on spermatogenesis, with a significant reduction of sexual activity and sperm health. The same was observed with bitches for female reproductive health with low serum progesterone inhibiting ovarian and placental function. Once the polyester clothing was removed, it took many months to reverse these conditions, thereby suggesting a direct connection to compromised reproductive health with polyester clothing. The theory put forth is that polyester underpants create an electrostatic field across the scrotal sac that disturbs testicular and epididymal function. This happened due to the friction of fabric against skin, when equal and opposite charges built up on the skin surface and on the inner surface of the pants facing skin. Only polyester pants generated electrostatic potentials while natural textiles did not, thus inducing ‘electrostatic fields’ in the intrapenile structures, which could explain the decreased sexual activity in rats and inhibited ovarian function in bitches, thereby concluding that polyester underpants could have an injurious effect on human sexual activity. Not only that, polyester-covered skin can also inhibit hair growth due to the same reason—electrostatic potentials generated by the fabric, whereas natural textiles like cotton and woollen did not have any detrimental effect.

Effect on environment

Polyester production relies on fossil fuels, with high energy & water consumption, making it an environmentally unsustainable material. Being non-biodegradable, it can stick around for decades, even centuries, accumulating in water, soil, and living organisms. Microplastics bleed into our waterways, air, and food chains, during washing, wearing, and disposal as polyester sheds vast amounts of tiny synthetic fibres—primarily polyethylene terephthalate. A single load of polyester clothing can release hundreds of thousands of these fibres persisting in waterbodies, carrying chemical additives like PFAS and harmful dyes, and posing risks to aquatic life and human health through food chain.

Synthetic dyes: The only types of dyes that can be used to colour polyester fabrics are called disperse dyes, a category of synthetic dye for polyester and related hydrophobic fibres. Since they are not natural dyes, disperse dyes can release toxic chemicals into the atmosphere, leading to water pollution and potential harm to our health; they can cause allergic reactions or, in some cases, have been linked to cancer by causing DNA damage and releasing carcinogenic amines when broken down, leading to mutations and increasing carcinogenicity. 

For example, Disperse Red 1 & Orange 1 have been shown to be mutagenic and can induce DNA damage, Disperse Blue 1 is classified as possibly carcinogenic to humans by NIH, Disperse Yellow 3 has been identified as entering the environment at harmful levels, etc. Exposure to disperse dyes can occur through contact with contaminated water, dyed clothes, or industrial emissions. Many of these dyes are difficult to break down naturally, leading to a high concentration of polluting substances in wastewater, thereby posing a threat to aquatic ecosystem. That said, not all disperse dyes are harmful; while some pose significant risks, others may be less harmful or non-harmful at limited levels of exposure. 

Availability & durability

As of latest trends, polyester comprises of nearly 50-60% of the total textile fibre production across the globe, primarily because it is cheap, durable, and versatile. Hence, it is one of the most widely used fabrics in the world, especially in clothing and textiles, and dominates the synthetic fibre market worldwide, having higher water, wind, and environmental resistance compared to plant-derived fibres, but less fire-resistant that melts when ignited, just like plastic!

Fabrics woven or knitted from polyester yarn are used extensively in apparel and home furnishing, from shirts and pants to jackets and hats, underwear, sportswear, dresses, socks, leggings, beddings, blankets, upholstered furniture and even computer mouse mats.

What to wear

A far healthier and safer approach is to choose natural breathable fabrics for sustainability, comfort and health, like cotton, linen, wool, bamboo, and hemp, each offering unique benefits over synthetic options like polyester.

Vibration of fabrics

Like everything in the universe, clothes and fabrics too have vibrations, meaning their atoms vibrate at different speeds called frequency, which can be measured and scientifically verified. The clothes we wear not only impact the environment but also our health, mood, personality, and wellbeing. Grounded in bioenergetics, a study by Dr Heidi Yellen advocates that everything has a unique vibrational frequency that can affect our energy, including fabrics.

Yellen suggests that there is a huge connection between fabric frequencies and human health. She carried out her experiment with an Ag-Environ machine developed by Bob Graham, a unique instrument to measure the frequency of fabrics in relation to human health. For instance, the frequency of a healthy human body rests at 100 Hz, and natural fabrics with high vibrations impart energy, whereas most synthetic fabrics deplete energy, directly affecting our wellbeing. And although a large part of these frequencies lies beyond the scope of human comprehension, when the frequency drops below 100, it could imply a disruption in the body’s natural balance, potentially leading to various physical and psychological symptoms. Below is a list of fabric frequencies in Hz, for reference:

▶️ Linen: 5000
▶️ Wool: 5000
⏩ Human body: 100
▶️ Hemp: 100
▶️ Organic cotton: 100
⏩ Dis-ease: <100
▶️ Regular cotton: 70-80
▶️ Rayon: 15
▶️ Silk: 10
⏩ Death: 0
▶️ Polyester, nylon, acrylic: 0

As you can see above, the fabric with the highest vibration is linen. No wonder, in hospitals and nursing homes, they used to wrap patients with linen sheets and bandages, as it has very healing properties because of all the beautiful light frequencies coming out of this fabric thus imparting energy to the wearer. If you are battling any serious diseases, try wearing linen as much as possible. Linen is, for instance, also a solution to restless leg syndrome, which is actually caused by low frequency fabrics generating electrostatic charge build up on the body thus resulting in sleeping issues as sleeping materials are often made of these DuPont plastics that do not elevate frequency like natural fabrics. And if you’re in a cold climate, wear woollen or cashmere garments. Pure wool is your best option, without a blend of other threads, as it not only provides physical warmth but also energises at a vibrational level.

NOTE: The vibration of linen and wool are the highest being extremely healing, however, when worn together, they cancel each other out with energies flowing in opposite directions, and the overall vibration becomes zero. So, wear both fabrics but separately; when you wear linen, don’t combine it with wool and vice versa.

Cotton is comfortable and breathable. Other natural fabrics you may like to try are hemp and bamboo. A special mention to hemp, as it impressively mirrors the frequency of the human body just like organic cotton, however, unlike other natural fabrics, it is very sustainable and has far more environmental benefits. Being carbon-negative, pesticide-free and soil-enriching, hemp shares many properties of linen, viz. non-static, UV-resistant, antibacterial, stronger longer—even more durable than linen—hence doesn’t require frequent replacing.

Viscose rayon, although a derivative of bamboo and wood pulp, has a very low frequency as it requires chemical processes in its production, which makes its frequency quite incompatible with the human body. Similarly, silk being a natural fabric, has a shockingly low frequency owing to the process of acquiring it through sericulture that involves a lot of chemicals, pesticides and insecticides, unethical and unsustainable methods, which inevitably plummets its frequency. Efforts are underway to enhance silk sustainability, but as of now, it still lags behind alternatives like organic cotton, linen, hemp or wool.

Synthetic fabrics like polyester, acrylic, and nylon, with a zero frequency, stand in stark contrast to natural fibres, as these petrochemical-derived materials are not only environmentally challenging but offer no vibrational benefit to humans whatsoever, and might actually be depleting us energetically. 

Dyes on fabric frequency: Synthetic dyes could alter the natural vibrational frequency of fabrics significantly, whereas natural dyes derived from plants, minerals, or other natural sources, are eco-friendly, hence likely to maintain the fabric’s original frequency and preserve its health benefits. 

Read labels

Always read labels and product descriptions before buying anything so as to know its composition, be it the fabric or the food you consume. Make conscious, informed choices and your body will thank you for it! For example, when buying cotton garments, make sure you read the label carefully. If it says, “cotton blend”, “cotton rich”, “cotton-based”, or “polycotton”, then it is not pure cotton and there may be a mixture of polyester and other threads. Unless it says “100% cotton” or “pure cotton”, you can be sure there is a mix of threads that would invariably lower its frequency. As indicated in the above chart, organic cotton is the best as it mimics our body’s vibration; regular cotton has a lower frequency due to chemical processes of acquiring, but way better than synthetic fabrics like polyester, nylon, acrylic, spandex, elastane, lycra, rayon, etc. that mimic the vibration of disease conditions. So, now, you decide what you want to put on your body!

Wear it out

It is not necessary to throw away all your polyester garments at once! Once you become aware, you can make the shift gradually. What you could do is become mindful of your choices henceforth, and whenever you buy new clothes prioritize natural fabrics over synthetic ones. With time, you will wear out your old clothes and dispose of them. You could, of course, keep some to wear at special occasions or parties for a short time, but avoid wearing polyester for long hours or when at home relaxing. Always get pyjamas, underwear, sportswear, activewear, bedsheets & pillow cases of natural fabrics like cotton, bamboo, pure silk, natural satin, etc.

I myself am guilty of indulging in polyester; being a fashionista, I like wearing trendy outfits. There was a time, I bought plenty of pretty polyester outfits, just to look sexy, but I’m gradually shifting to more sustainable, breathable, natural fabrics, weeding out my wardrobe one garment at a time, and making that my new fashion statement!

Clothing colour

It is not my place to dictate what coloured fabric one must wear, but I wish to comment on one colour in particular, especially because it is considered formal and elegant in the Western world.

Black: Unlike lighter colours that reflect energy, black absorbs it all! If you’re at a crowded place wearing black, you’re likely to absorb all the negative vibes and dysfunction of the people around you. A normal person may not feel it, but if you are a highly sensitive person or an empath you will feel it that much faster with a black cloak on. You may all of a sudden have a headache, mood swing, temper tantrum, feeling of unease, and you wouldn’t know why!

Black absorbs all colours so reflects none, whereas white reflects all colours so absorbs none. Spiritually advanced colours are usually white, orange, yellow, as you’d observe yogis and saints typically draped in saffron and white robes, while purple, red, blue, green, and all shades in between have their own beauty and benefits.

Choice of colours in clothes is actually cultural. For instance, in certain Asian cultures, when someone dies, people wear white whereas, in the West, black is worn for mourning. Now, black is the last thing you’d want to wear to a funeral if you want a psychic shield and don’t fancy your energy disrupted. Know what I mean? Similarly, in India and other parts of Asia, brides usually wear red for weddings symbolizing passion whereas in the Western world white is worn as a symbol of purity and the groom often wears black. In Western societies, a lot of emphasis is given on black as it is considered formal and elegant, and folks even wear black to look slim. I personally am not too fond of black, perhaps because it does not reflect any colour and I can never reject colors. You can find very few black outfits in my wardrobe, as I love the rainbow and all shades in between! 🌈

Coming from a country where Holi is celebrated—a festival of colors—people in my culture love wearing colourful clothes. If you walk across a fashion street in India or another Asian country, you’d be amazed by the sheer variety of colours, shades, prints, patterns, styles, designs, collage works and ethnic wear existing in these cultures, whereas in the Western world, bright vibrant colours are seldom entertained, and even the few shades people do sport appear monotonous, which is considered elegant. And, if someone dares to wear multicoloured costumes, they may be deemed a clown. Well then, I say, be a clown! 😁

Jokes apart, if you ask me, I’d say, wear bright colours, summer colours, vibrant colours, rainbow colours, evergreen colours with golden hues & silvery tones, because life is full of colour, so, don’t just limit your experience of it to black… no pun intended! You will feel good, look good, and attract good vibes as the colour of your clothes can and does affect your personality and how others perceive you.

Again, I’m not here to judge anyone’s clothing or colour preferences, just creating awareness of the implications our choice of fabrics and colours may entail. In the end, to each his own!

Breathability factor

Especially in summers and warm weathers, special care should be exercised in one’s choice of fabric. Let us examine the breathability factor of certain fabrics below: 

• Linen: It is one of the best choices to wear in hot weather being a cool summer fabric made from flax fibres, and naturally antibacterial, stain-repellent, moisture-wicking, quick-drying and airy-feel that never goes out of fashion.
• Silk: A natural protein fibre known for its lustre and shine, it is a great choice on a hot summer day as silk feels cool and airy unlike synthetic fibres that stick to the body.
• Hemp: Made from the fibres of stalks of the Cannabis Sativa plant, it provides all the warmth and softness of a natural textile yet with an impressive durability rarely found in other materials; it is cool, breathable, holding liquid without feeling damp.
• Cotton: Another natural textile made from the fluffy fibres of the cotton plant, it is very comfortable and breathable to wear, and although cotton retains a lot of moisture that slowly evaporates, it makes the garment that much cooler in summer.
• Bamboo: It regulates body temperature and sweat, being quick drying, moisture-wicking, and a great fabric to wear in summers.
• Khadi: A traditional Indian handspun and handwoven fabric typically made from natural fibres like cotton, wool or silk, it is very comfortable on the skin and breathable, hence wonderful for summer weather.
• Cashmere: While known for its warmth, cashmere’s lightweight, breathability, versatility, and body temperature regulation property make it suitable for year-round wear, including summer.
• Lyocell: Despite not being a traditional natural fabric, it is still breathable, moisture-wicking, and feels pleasant to wear in summer, being an eco-friendly, semi-synthetic fibre made from wood cellulose.
• Rayon: A semi-synthetic fibre with moderate breathability and drying capacity, rayon does not wick moisture like polyester or nylon, and not so recommended in hot weather.

Fabrics to avoid in summer: It is highly recommended to stay away from synthetic fabrics like polyester, acrylic, spandex, and nylon in hot humid weather as these materials although moisture-wicking trap bacteria, retain odour, smell of sweat, and don’t let your skin breathe. They absorb heat making you feel hot and flushed in warm temperatures, hence best avoided.

Fabric colour & fitting: It is always advisable to wear light colours in summer since dark clothes tend to absorb more heat from the sun. Also, loosely fitted clothes can allow for extra airflow and breathability.

Summary

Are you aware of the fabrics you put on your body? Awareness is key here; I invite you to walk in awareness and think summer! To summarize, below is a list of recommended and not-so-recommended fabrics for your own health & wellbeing:

• Fabrics to indulge: Linen, wool, organic cotton, pure cotton, hemp, leather, cashmere, bamboo, khadi, silk, and other natural fabrics. Especially, you should take great care to wear socks, underwear, sportswear, pyjamas, leggings and beddings made of natural fabrics.
• Fabrics to evade: Polyester, nylon, acrylic, acetate, elastane, spandex, lycra, fake silk, and anything static-cling or synthetic. Semi-synthetic fabrics like viscose, rayon, lyocell, or poly blends with natural fibres may be considered, but can never compare nor compete with natural and plant-based fabrics.

Polyester may look cool, but you don’t need that junk! Rather than wearing plastic then dealing with latent health hazards, just because it lifts your boobs and butts, let’s make cotton and linen sexy again, yeah? 😉

“When enough people say ‘no’ to the toxicity in our society, they will stop manufacturing them, and people will start becoming healthy.”

P.S. To those of my Indian readers welcoming the New Year by donning new clothes, well, there’s no better day than today to make a new resolution, a conscious choice… Happy Baisakhi! 🌄

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*Refer below the links to studies on synthetic fabrics affecting reproductive health:

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8262106, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8274779, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18393023, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18225689, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8886260, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8262106, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1503251, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1456835, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8279095.

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➡️ Key elements in this article:

• The Hidden Dangers of Polyester Clothing
• Why You Should Avoid Polyester Fabrics for Health
• Polyester: The Plastic Fabric You Should Ditch