What is Polyester?

Polyester is a synthetic fibre used extensively in clothing and textiles. Most clothing grade polyester is made from polyethylene terephthalate (PET), a type of polymer that can be formed into fibres and spun into yarn. Polyester is popular because it is strong, durable, quick drying, crease resistant and easy to care for.

It can be used on its own or blended with fibres such as cotton, wool or elastane to create fabrics with different characteristics.

What is polyester made from?

Polyester is a manufactured synthetic fibre.

The most common polyester used for clothing is polyethylene terephthalate, better known as PET. The raw material is processed into a polymer, which is melted and pushed through extremely small openings to create continuous fibres.

These fibres are cooled, stretched and processed before being spun or otherwise formed into yarn.

The yarn can then be knitted or woven into fabric and used to manufacture clothing and other textile products.

Is polyester a natural or synthetic fibre?

Polyester is a synthetic fibre.

Polyester fabrics may be blended with natural fibres such as cotton or wool, but that doesn't make the polyester component itself natural.

For example, a garment containing 65% polyester and 35% cotton combines a synthetic fibre with a natural fibre.

What does polyester feel like?

There's no single answer because polyester can be manufactured into an enormous variety of fabrics.

It can be smooth, soft, brushed, textured, lightweight, heavy, stretchy or structured, depending on the yarn and fabric construction.

A lightweight polyester sports polo feels completely different from a polyester fleece jacket, even though both garments may contain the same basic fibre.

Modern manufacturing can also create very fine polyester fibres, often referred to as microfibres, which can produce particularly soft and lightweight fabrics.

This versatility is one of the reasons polyester appears in so many different types of clothing.

What are the benefits of polyester?

Polyester has become one of the world's most widely used clothing fibres because it combines several practical properties.

It is generally:

• Durable – polyester fibres have good strength and resistance to everyday wear.
• Quick drying – polyester absorbs relatively little moisture into the fibre.
• Crease resistant – it generally wrinkles less readily than fibres such as cotton or linen.
• Shape retaining – polyester garments can maintain their shape well.
• Lightweight – very lightweight fabrics can be manufactured from polyester.
• Easy care – many polyester garments can be machine washed and require little or no ironing.
• Versatile – the fibre can be engineered into an enormous variety of fabrics.
• Colourfast – appropriately dyed polyester can retain colour very well.

The exact performance still depends on the fabric construction, garment design and finishing treatments, rather than simply the fibre itself.

Is polyester breathable?

Polyester itself has low moisture absorbency, meaning it doesn't readily absorb perspiration into the fibre in the way that cotton can.

However, polyester fabrics can be engineered to provide excellent moisture-wicking and ventilation performance.

Performance polos and sportswear, for example, often use knitted polyester fabrics designed to move moisture away from the skin and allow it to evaporate quickly.

A heavy, tightly constructed polyester fabric may feel hot, while a lightweight technical polyester mesh may be ideal for active use.

So polyester does not automatically mean hot or unbreathable.

Does polyester wick moisture?

Polyester is commonly used in moisture-wicking garments, but there's an important distinction.

The fibre itself absorbs very little water. Instead, specially designed polyester fabrics can use their yarn structure, knit construction and finishing treatments to move moisture across the fabric and away from the skin.

Once the moisture reaches a larger surface area, it can evaporate relatively quickly.

That's why polyester is so common in sportswear, active uniforms and performance polos.

Does polyester shrink?

Polyester is generally more resistant to shrinking than many natural fibres, particularly when cared for correctly.

However, it isn't indestructible.

Polyester is thermoplastic, which means excessive heat can affect it. Very high washing, drying or ironing temperatures can damage, distort or permanently alter the fabric.

Always follow the individual garment's care instructions.

Does polyester wrinkle?

Polyester has naturally good crease and wrinkle resistance, which is a major advantage for uniforms and everyday clothing.

It tends to recover its shape more readily than fibres such as cotton or linen and often requires less ironing.

This is also one reason polyester is frequently blended with cotton in work shirts, polos and other uniform garments, the blend can retain some of cotton's characteristics while improving crease resistance and ease of care.

Is polyester durable?

Generally, yes.

Polyester fibres have good tensile strength and resistance to stretching, abrasion and repeated wear, although performance varies considerably between different fabrics.

This durability makes polyester particularly valuable for garments that are washed frequently, including uniforms, sportswear and workwear.

However, polyester can still pill, snag, fade or deteriorate depending on the construction and conditions of use.

Does polyester fade in the sun?

Polyester generally has good resistance to sunlight and colour fading, particularly when compared with some other fibres and dye systems.

But prolonged exposure to ultraviolet radiation can still affect both the colour and physical properties of polyester fabrics.

For garments regularly worn outdoors, UV protection ratings, fabric construction, colour and specific textile treatments are more useful indicators than assuming polyester alone guarantees sun resistance.

This distinction is particularly important for hi-vis and outdoor workwear.

What is recycled polyester?

Recycled polyester is polyester manufactured using recycled material as a feedstock rather than relying entirely on virgin raw materials.

One common source is recycled PET plastic, including plastic bottles, although textile waste can also be used in some recycling systems.

The recycled material is processed and converted into polyester suitable for making new textile fibres.

You'll increasingly see recycled polyester used in uniforms, polos, jackets, fleece, bags and promotional products as manufacturers introduce ranges incorporating recycled materials.

🛍️ Shop our collection of garments that use recycled polyester

What are polyester blends?

Polyester is frequently combined with other fibres to balance different characteristics.

Polyester and cotton

One of the most common uniform combinations.

A polyester/cotton blend can combine polyester's durability, quick drying and crease resistance with some of the feel and moisture absorbency associated with cotton.

You'll see this combination everywhere from polos and shirts to workwear.

Polyester and elastane

Adding elastane, also commonly referred to as spandex, introduces stretch and recovery.

This combination is popular in activewear, fitted garments, stretch workwear and modern corporate clothing.

Polyester and wool

Polyester can also be blended with wool in suiting and corporate garments to improve durability, ease of care or affordability while retaining some characteristics of wool.

Polyester vs acrylic

Both are synthetic fibres, but they're generally associated with different textile characteristics.

Polyester is exceptionally versatile and commonly used for shirts, polos, sportswear, fleece, jackets, trousers and workwear.

Acrylic is particularly associated with soft, warm, wool-like yarns and is widely used in knitwear and winter accessories.

What clothing is made from polyester?

The list is enormous.

You'll commonly find polyester in:

• polo shirts
• sportswear
• activewear
• T-shirts
• corporate shirts and blouses
• jackets
• fleece
• hoodies
• trousers
• shorts
• workwear
• hi-vis clothing
• hospitality uniforms
• healthcare uniforms
• outerwear

It can also appear as a smaller percentage of a fibre blend in garments that don't immediately look or feel like "polyester clothing".

Why is polyester so common in uniforms?

Polyester's characteristics line up remarkably well with the demands placed on uniforms.

Uniform garments often need to be worn repeatedly, washed frequently, easy to care for and consistent in appearance. They may also need to dry quickly, resist creasing and maintain their shape throughout a working day.

Performance polyester fabrics can add moisture management and lightweight comfort, while heavier polyester and polyester-blend fabrics can provide durability for more demanding environments.

This is why polyester appears across almost every part of the uniform market, from corporate shirts and healthcare uniforms to sports polos, hospitality clothing, fleece and hi-vis workwear.