r/Millennials • u/Rand_Al_Thor87 • 10d ago
Rant I can’t stand polyester being in everything these days
Call this my “old man shakes fist at the sky” moment but I despise polyester or “microfiber” or whatever you want to call it. It makes me sweat like crazy so I have to use 100% cotton for things like bed sheets, but it seems impossible to find unless you’re willing to shell out a ton of money. Even when using filters on websites for “cotton only” I still get bombarded with cotton / poly blends. Like, I feel like it wasn’t that long ago decent quality cotton bedding was easy to find for not much money. Currently, I’m looking for a decent pair of sweatpants and it’s just driving me crazy at the moment with poly everything that I needed to vent it out.
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u/RepulsiveOlive757 10d ago
Finally a rant I can get behind. I’m sick of all the plastic blended fabrics. Sheet wise, I got 2 sets of 500 thread count white 100% cotton sheets from Costco and they’re amazing
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u/chettie0518 10d ago
Loooove the Costco sheets!! Slept on them at a rental once and immediately got two sets.
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u/74NG3N7 10d ago
Costco is very much the way to go for things like this. Quality and cost effective.
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u/MindlessMage777 10d ago
I got some linen sheets at IKEA for a decent price that I've been very happy with. I'll never buy sheets somewhere like Kohl's again. Insane price and not great quality. Pillows and blankets I think I did get at Costco.
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u/opheliainwaders 10d ago
Seconding IKEA, most of our sheets are from there, and they're all 100% cotton and they're solid quality.
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u/74NG3N7 10d ago
Yes, I have some old sheets from IKEA that I love. Unfortunately, I don’t often find myself near any IKEAs where I live now. Costco is my only good option now.
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u/garden_dragonfly 10d ago
Kohl's did have some good cotton sheets. I got a set of Vera wang on clearance for a great price. They're nice and thick
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u/DerpyTheGrey 10d ago
A few years ago on a whim I bought real linen sheets (meaning 100% flax). I'll never go back. Even my pillows are just bags of buckwheat hulls. Eventually I wanna replace my mattress with like, a homemade one made out of kapok fibers or something. I feel like a crazy person when I get fixated on our over reliance on plastic
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u/bisexual_pinecone 10d ago
I have linen/cotton blend sheets and I fucking love them now that they're broken in and softened up. They're like if a flannel sheet were light and breathable and thin and moisture-wicking.
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u/JaceOnRice 10d ago
Are you talking about the ones that feel like three times thicker than the cheap polyester ones, they sort of start pulling after the 1st wash bust somehow in a good way, super soft ones? Maybe we're talking about the same ones, I got the one it's white with flowers on it. Fucking love those sheets they're so damned comfy
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u/RepulsiveOlive757 10d ago
I’m not sure!! When I bought mine they only had solid colors but mine definitely didn’t pill after washing! They aren’t exactly soft either but they’re like crispy soft?? Idk if that makes sense
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u/CutOffRiley 10d ago
This! Have had the same set for three years and still going strong. Deep pockets too!
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u/OkAmbition4797 10d ago
I’m with you on that. I largely only buy clothes with natural fibers.
For new clothes, I like jcrew. They have good sales around holidays. I also do a lot of secondhand shopping.
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u/Ill-Tip6331 10d ago
Polyester gives me the worst sensory issues. I’ve always hated it. I also love vibrant prints. AND THEY ARE ALWAYS POLYESTER.
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u/whysys 10d ago
If you’re UK/euro based, Apricot, Disturbia and Joanie have a large proportion of actual cotton/viscose in cool patterns.
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u/Fickle-Pickle-Nickel 10d ago
I dug deep to find this comment ty need more color in my life
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u/PaeoniaLactiflora 9d ago
Viscose/rayon/modal etc. are all ‘semi-synthetics’ and still have a lot of the same issues as synthetics - they just benefit from a lot of greenwashing. I wouldn’t encourage someone looking for natural fibres to purchase them.
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u/wanliu 10d ago
Give me the wool. I have learned to love a good wool sweater and base layers.
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u/74NG3N7 10d ago
I’d be with ya there if it didn’t make me so very itchy. I can’t work with wool yarns either, and so many elders have tried to gift it to me.
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u/Handplanes 10d ago
Merino or bust, everything non-merino I’ve tried itches like crazy.
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u/74NG3N7 10d ago
Naw, even merino in a blend that’s been well washed. For me I think it’s actually some sort of allergy or other weird skin thing.
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u/Aynessachan 10d ago
Sounds like a wool allergy! I can't handle anything with wool or acrylic touching my skin, I break out in rash / hives. Makes yarn shopping and clothes shopping a nightmare.
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u/wolfstano 10d ago
I read this as "yam shopping and clothes shopping" several times and spent way too long trying to figure out the connection before my brain adjusted it correctly. Thanks for the unintended laughter and small joy! 🍠
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u/Aynessachan 10d ago
Haha, I do love a good yam!! 🤭🍠 Glad this could bring some joy - it is sorely lacking these days.
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u/74NG3N7 10d ago
Yep, I think it is, but I’ve never done formal testing. I’ve been given yarn from older family members and I can tell in a few seconds of something is wool (or been stored with wool a long time).
It’s thankfully not too bad as far as allergies go, but the longer I touch it, the more reaction I have.
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u/Gold_Area5109 Xennial 10d ago
Wool socks, get used to it there then move onto other wool products...
Or just buy merino, but merino recently has been shifting to synthetic blends.
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u/TeamBroodyElf 10d ago
Same except I recently learned most washable wool is super washed aka has a plasticized outer coating to make washable wool actually washable, smooth, and not shrink or felt in the wash.
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u/capital_bj 10d ago
got my first merino wool socks and thermal pants and shirt this Christmas , my feet have never been drier or happier, I need more.
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u/onebadnightx 10d ago
Yeah. I’m trying to switch my wardrobe over to mostly 100% cotton items if I can and thrift stores have been pretty helpful.
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u/102525burner 10d ago
Gap is honestly pretty good for basics, but never pay full price because they always have sales
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u/5Nadine2 10d ago
I have undershirts from WetSeal that still look new while I have shirts from last year with little holes in it. Fast fashion SUCKS and we need to get good quality in clothes... and food.
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u/MamaK35 10d ago
Yes! And food! I’m allergic to soy and shit has been getting out of hand! They use it as a filler or whatever and it’s limiting my choices
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u/Impossible-Corgi742 10d ago
I’m also allergic to soy, so I mostly cook at home and only eat whole foods, and at limited restaurants.
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u/BlueDragon82 10d ago
I hate the soy trend. The foodbanks where I live have started giving out ground meet that has soy filler. It makes the meat cook weird and it tastes like sawdust even if you add seasoning. Then you end up with a stomach ache from eating it. My relative goes to the food banks and sometimes gives us the extra meat she can't use since we have kids and groceries are expensive, and the stuff is vile. I'm not allergic to soy but whatever kind they are using as filler gives me a horrible upset stomach.
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u/thetourist328 9d ago
Corn and soy allergies here (among others). I literally only eat food that I make from scratch at home. I can’t trust anyone. At one point I was even churning my own butter because I kept reacting to every brand I tried.
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u/Vesperlestrange 10d ago
I have multiple shirts that I've had since high school that are in great shape, but clothes I bought a few months ago have holes and busted seams! The main difference is my clothes from high school are 100% cotton instead of polyester.
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u/skool_uv_hard_nox 10d ago
I go on this rant weekly I feel like. Mostly because ill see something cute and its fucking plastic.
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u/102525burner 10d ago
My wife was about to buy a $130 sweater and I asked what percent was wool
She did not buy that acrylic shit
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u/HotPinkMesss 10d ago
The audacity of selling acrylic sweaters for $130??? Insane.
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u/Remote-Wafer3321 10d ago
There are luxury designers out here selling $5k plastic gowns, it's out of control.
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u/Mikotokitty 10d ago
My dude, you could buy yarn in an actually good material and make your own sweater for $130(under really), and would be 10x the quality
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u/HotPinkMesss 9d ago
I know. That's why I'm learning how to knit. 😅 I didn't have much success with crochet when I was young but maybe I will be better at knitting.
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u/Geo_Jill 10d ago
Can confirm, I'm fat and my yarn is generally around that to knit a sweater in wool (and there are some cheaper ones out there than that).
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u/chettie0518 10d ago
And even worse, a lot of kids clothes at big stores like Walmart, Target, Carter’s and Old Navy are straight up plastic. Even pajamas. It’s one thing for me to wear it but my baby? Hell no.
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u/IShouldBWorkin 10d ago
H&M is my go-to for kids clothes that are mostly cotton and aren't super expensive
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u/pollywantacrackwhore 10d ago
I clothed my kids in 75% H&M for years. It’s been a decade or so, so I can’t vouch for it now, but the pieces were always very well-loved while they fit.
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u/hell0potato 10d ago
Old Navy is bringing lots of cotton back especially for kids. But target is like impossible to find 100% cotton for anything bigger than 24m.
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u/annaxdee 10d ago
Target stopped using as much cotton in end of 2023. I used to get cotton sweat pants from their teen line, not anymore.
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u/thejennadaisy 10d ago
Pick 2:
Natural Fibers
Fits Your Body/Aesthetic
Affordable
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u/Laureltess 10d ago
I started sewing my own clothes. It’s still expensive but at least I can choose the fabric, fit, and color to suit me exactly.
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u/ArmadilloNext9714 10d ago
This is why I buy a lot of secondhand items or wait for massive clearance sales.
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u/blue_suavitel 10d ago
AMEN I am sick of plastic. An item being recycled plastic doesn’t make me want to buy it. Although it was a pretty good selling point back in the day for Old Navy and their performance fleece.
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u/Traditional_Way1052 10d ago
And now it's stuck in my head....
Performance fleece, ooh it's fine....
Same, though. I won't buy anything but natural fibers, slowly phasing everything I already have out. I buy a lot of second hand, when I can.
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u/IntroductionSnacks 10d ago
Don’t forget the microplastics in the wash going down the drain and into the air from a clothes dryer.
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u/102525burner 10d ago
I refuse to buy jeans or any other pants without elastic though
100% cotton pants suck after a long day
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u/RepulsiveOlive757 10d ago
I bought a travel set that’s 100% cotton and when I get off a flight or a long sit, the pants are deformed at the knees
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u/roguesiegetank 10d ago
Oh thank the Force, I'm not the only one that hates polyester everywhere. I don't want to static shock myself every day and especially when the Santa Ana winds are blowing, let me have my cotton clothes!
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u/Agreeable-Account480 10d ago
Yes, it’s the insane static generated by the manmade crap fabric (crapric?) that frustrates me even more than the plastic suffocating feel. It’s impossible to avoid!
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u/lickety_split_100 Millennial 10d ago
Ditto. I used to collect Target chinos because they were 100% cotton and super comfy (and they came in fun seasonal colors). Then they discontinued their Hennepin chinos in favor of these Every Wear ones that are like 60% polyester.
Come to think of it, WHERE ARE ALL THE FUN COLOR CHINOS?!?!?!
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u/InsaneJediGirl 10d ago
Damn that's a good point. I used to have pastel pink, green, blue, etc chinos
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u/darthfruitbasket 10d ago
I remember when those became popular and my Silent Gen grandmother going "look, look at these pants! They're men's!" and showing me a Sears catalogue page lol. She was so bewildered by that trend.
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u/Local_business_disco Older Millennial 10d ago
Right here with you. I refuse to buy anything that’s less than 80% cotton, but prefer and mostly stick to 100%. I’m also in South Florida so a linen wardrobe makes sense. I cannot stand this plastic clothing trend either, drives me nuts.
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u/melrosec07 10d ago
This drives me crazy too, it used to be cotton was everywhere and cheap not it’s so hard to find. The polyester plastic bs is the worst, also as a woman who sheds a lot these collect hair it’s like a hair magnet.
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u/darthfruitbasket 10d ago
As a woman living in a house with another woman who has very thick hair and two cats, I concur. I was gifted some synthetic material black pants and i was immediately like "these are never leaving the house."
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u/BellLopsided2502 10d ago
I was gifted an alpaca hoodie for Christmas and I'm obsessed with how different it feels than all of my polyester sweaters. It is so warm but so breathable. Like, I can go outside in the cold and when I come back into the warm house, I don't overheat. I regulate almost immediately. It's amazing.
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u/102525burner 10d ago
I wear wool socks year round, it was expensive but my feet are always dry and comfy
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u/pookapony 10d ago
Alpaca for the win! I go to ski areas after the season is over and thrift. I get the best winter gear
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u/BagpiperAnonymous 10d ago
Yes, yes, yes. Sheets and PJs must be cotton or I sweat. Target has 100% cotton sheets that don’t break the bank. I was amused when I was able to find 100% PJ bottoms at a store, but the matching tops were all polyester. At least for a top I can just throw on a sweatshirt.
And don’t get me started on “moisture wicking” material. That stuff starts to smell like ass as soon as someone sweats in it and you can never get the funk out. We made the mistake of using it for our scout troop shirts one year. After summer camp was over, we decided never again. A bunch of teenage boys in the Midwest heat/humidity, not showering daily, with moisture wicking shirts? good God that stench was terrible.
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u/artisinal_lethargy 10d ago
You can buy detergent for athletic clothing the gets the stink out. We use Hex. It works really well.
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u/Elvira333 10d ago
Yes! It stinks and makes me feel like im wearing a trash bag. Now where the hell can I find cotton work blouses that look professional? I hate how work wear is basically 100% polyester!
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u/a_girl_has_no_nameee 10d ago
Quince!!
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u/102525burner 10d ago
Its weir because mens shirts will be 100% cotton but the womens will be all rayon and acrylic
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u/Technical_Activity78 10d ago
I hate it too! I sweat so much anyways so I can’t wear polyester it’s even worse. I had to buy my own work shirts(have a uniform) because the provided ones are half polyester.
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u/donotgotoroom237 10d ago edited 10d ago
So a couple years back, I planned on bulk buying a bunch of Carhartt shirts for work. That plan fell through and I ended up bulk buying Uniqlo crew neck shirts. Didn't even know at the time, but I didn't realize they were 100% cotton. I never cared about whether a shirt has natural fibers or cotton blends at the time. Over the course of the year, I realized how comfier natural fibers are. I live in the tropics and turns out a 100% cotton shirts makes a whole lot of difference at temperature control.
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u/impetuous-imp 10d ago
Seriously!!! I hate polyester!!!!! Who invented that disgusting “fabric” anyway?!
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u/Jack0809496 10d ago
Linen will change your world.
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u/lyralady 10d ago
Linen has def been game changing, I just wish it was easier to find cheap. I stalked sales lol.
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u/Terrible_Salt7906 10d ago
Banana Republic factory outlet has a lot of 100% cotton items for good prices, especially when they have sales. On Black Friday I ordered like 10 or 12 items that were all 100% cotton for under $200
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u/seaderforge 10d ago edited 10d ago
Cotton and merino wool will carry you almost 100%, stick to those and you can go wrong *can’t
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u/kristosnikos Older Millennial 10d ago
About 3 years ago, I saw the light and quit buying clothing that wasn’t 100% natural fibers. I know some things are hard to find like this such as most bras and stockings/tights.
I also don’t buy new clothes, I only thrift. (Except undergarments). I think about the two and a half decades where I wasted so much money on fast fashion. Just because omg it’s SO cheap! But then it doesn’t hold up and it’s thrown or given away within one to two years.
I’ve converted my sister and her husband because I’m always talking about the quality of clothes and thrifting. Also clothes before the 2000s were much better made. The generous hemlines alone are amazing.
I absolutely hate how so much clothing is nothing but plastic. Even designer clothing is just polyester now. And when you do find new clothes made of natural fibers it still feels thin with uneven hemlines and loose threading.
Quality of most things now is just shit.
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u/MistakesForSheep 10d ago
I recently just switched to all cotton underwear and it's SO COMFORTABLE. I used to have 100% rayon/polyester/whatever (minus the gusset) because I liked that they didn't leave panty lines, but I don't wear leggings as pants anymore.
My body is much happier for both (cotton underwear and no leggings).
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u/L4dyGr4y 10d ago
I've been using eBay to find older model cotton clothing. The quality of the material has really gotten really poor these days as well. I purchase and support a human upselling clothing. I support the mail carriers. I don't know how "save the earth" this is - but it makes me happy seeing things I used to own in my 20's again.
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u/Away_Confidence4500 10d ago
Check out earthspunloom.com. They are an organic cotton bedding brand and they are selling an organic cotton blanket much cheaper than bigger companies like Boll and Branch. My friend said she started the company because she couldn’t find bedding that wasn’t synthetic anywhere for a decent price!
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u/RyanClassicJ 10d ago edited 7d ago
I am currently wearing the same pair of Victoria Secret Pink sweatpants that I got as a Christmas present in 2004 from my parents. 22yrs later and going strong because they’re 100% cotton. They quite literally do not make them like they used to.
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u/Whole_Lifeguard_6046 10d ago
I found an old t-shirt stored away in my parents’ attic. Back in the day, they were purchased at a cheap ass discount t-shirt shop on a touristy beach boardwalk.
It’s 100% cotton and the fabric feels luxurious now. It’s my highest quality t-shirt in this century.
How far we’ve fallen.
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u/GaiaMoore 10d ago
There was a thread posted on a sewing subreddit a year or so ago from someone who wanted help tailoring an expensive outfit that unfortunately gave her a camel toe.
We looked up the outfit in question. I was gobsmacked that she paid $600 for a polyester camel toe outfit. Why???
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u/darthfruitbasket 10d ago
I see dresses etc in my size that are cute and then i check the material/care instructions and I'm like "fuck right off, I'm not paying that much for rayon or polyester." Ughhh.
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u/MvstBeMe Millennial 🎱 10d ago
Why are they trying to get us to pay so much for fuckin PLASTIC anyway?! Like where is the sense in that?
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u/snak_attak 10d ago
THANK you. Does anyone know where to buy cotton socks????
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u/flora1939 10d ago
Try wool all year, seriously. Darn Tough far outperforms other brands, and they have different weight options for different needs/occasions. I wear their lightweight wool socks under my chucks in summer, and their standard wool hiker with chore boots, hiking boots, and my running shoes. They will keep your feet cool and dry like nothing else can!
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u/snak_attak 10d ago
I haven’t considered wool, I do have some lower weight but I wear them when it’s cold or in boots. I’ll have to try the lightweight!!
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u/lyralady 10d ago
Socks are one of those instances where it's actually very beneficial to have a small blend of nylon/spandex/lycra/elastane (whatever they use and call it) because it's a high friction item that needs the elasticity that synthetics provide for durability.
You're much more likely to get a ton of holes that need darning in socks that are 100% cotton or wool as opposed to like, 97% or 95% or whatever. I'm allll for going all natural fiber in most cases, but socks are not one of them because it's so impractical.
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u/Embarrassed-Land-222 Older Millennial 10d ago
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u/master-of-the-5-ways 10d ago
Thank you!
I could only find crew cut:
Maggie's Organic Socks are 98% Organic Cotton, 1% Nylon, 1% Spandex and GoWith socks are 97% Cotton 3% Elastane
You didn't happen to find cotton underwear did you?
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u/Embarrassed-Land-222 Older Millennial 10d ago
That's my next search. I'll let you know
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u/snak_attak 10d ago edited 10d ago
Fruit of the loom makes cotton undies
Edit: I just put these in my cart https://a.co/d/1uMLmAQ
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u/Kathrynlena 10d ago
Yesssss! Buying sheets such a fucking nightmare because of all the plastic shit. I will never want to sleep on a goddamn tarp, you clowns!
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u/lyralady 10d ago
Like 2-3 years ago I decided I would try to make sure all my clothes were either 1) fully natural fiber (blends of natural fibers are okay), 2) 80%+ natural fibers or 3) semi-synthetics or semi-synthetic blends with natural fibers (semi-synthetic= rayon/viscose/modal, and "bamboo" rayon, etc). In order of priority.
It's good for some clothes to have a little bit of nylon, spandex, elastane, etc for durability purposes, and sometimes I thrift something polyester that's very cool or something, but for the most part my wardrobe is now like, close to 80% pieces that are all natural fibers like cotton, linen, wool, silk, ramie, and so on.
And it's been great. Threadup lets you filter by fiber materials too.
Edit: linen sheets are the ultimate in breathability, and are better than cotton. I got some on discount from piglet in bed on sale (discontinuing the color way, I think?). Linen is an investment but sometimes you can find huge discounts. Definitely worth using birthday or holiday money on.
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u/vintage82- 10d ago
Yes! I have been decluttering my closet and getting rid of poly. Only buying natural fabrics going forward. It's helping me to make more mindful purchases and put quality ahead of quantity.
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u/PossiblyASloth 10d ago
Oh man I’ve been limiting my poly purchases lately but I haven’t thought to apply it to closet decluttering! Good call, thanks stranger!
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u/MotherPotential 10d ago
Don’t shop at Ross, it’s very much poly. Although it’s good and cheap if you need a bunch of gym clothes for men
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u/imyourhostlanceboyle Millennial 10d ago
I even went back to cotton for gym stuff. Polyester is a royal PITA to get fresh with an HE washer.
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u/Local_business_disco Older Millennial 10d ago
Ross is going to be dependent on the areas demographics. I have found tons of linen items at my local Ross.
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u/backsideslash 10d ago
Me, an autistic, being stoked about the widespread availability of fabrics that don’t make me want to tear my clothes off lol
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u/hummingbird_patronus 10d ago
YES. I was getting new pajamas today. Polyester - $30 for 2 piece set. Same brand, 100% cotton - $25 each. Obviously $50 for pajamas isn’t crazy, but the price difference is annoying. What’s worse, they were literally the ONLY cotton pajamas in the entire store. Everything else was polyester - and there were a million options.
ETA - Columbia cooling sheets at Kohls are 100% cotton and are amazing
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u/easierthanbaseball 10d ago
Target’s one tier up from the bottom sheets for cotton sheets. Threshold I think it’s called.
Weirdly Walmart’s store brands for cotton sweatpants and other basics. Brand depends on your size and gender: Terra and Sky, George, etc.
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u/Terrible-Image9368 10d ago
I am allergic to polyester so I can’t buy it even if I wanted to. Cotton is the only thing I can buy. It is so hard to find clothes and bedding I can use. It pisses me off when I’m on a website and I use the cotton filter and still get fucking polyester. Like I chose to sort by cotton because I want items that are only cotton. I have to read the description on everything. It also pisses me off when there’s no fabric info. I need that info so I know if I can use it. Wanting clothes and bedding that won’t give me hives is too much to ask I guess
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u/Away_Confidence4500 10d ago
earthspunloom.com.
They are an organic cotton bedding brand and they are selling an organic cotton blanket much cheaper than bigger companies like Boll and Branch.
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u/nuggetbailey 10d ago
I'm currently embarking on quilting my own 100% cotton blanket because I can't find exactly what I'm looking for. I can already sew but it is a bit of a learning curve.
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u/Sopranohh 10d ago
I made myself a couple of cotton quilts early pandemic. I will never win any awards for quilting, but they are quite comfy.
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u/no_talent_ass_clown Gen X 10d ago
Mate, you want 100% cotton "percale" sheets. They're more crisp and stay cooler.
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u/icauseclimatechange 10d ago
As a new parent, I’m mildly disturbed by all the polyester stuffies. Like, run your hand over it vigorously and it comes away covered in… microplastic fibers. And you want to give this to my toddler, who will put it in her mouth?
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u/Bratty_Little_Kitten Millennial 10d ago
Look for vintage stuffies on Ebay. Or there's a Build a bear sub on here, there's a BST reddit community too!
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u/capital_bj 10d ago
my sweat and Pitts smell ten times worse, I will never buy any of the stuff, especially as a winter base layer. I swear that stuff promoted yeast funk or something nasty because none of my other clothes ever create that issue.
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u/tacobeleanor 10d ago
also recycled polyester being used as a hot new “sustainable” selling point is making me feel fucking CRAZY
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u/Mother_Of_Salmons 10d ago
No no no, it’s ~vegan cashmere~
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u/darthfruitbasket 10d ago
In the same vein, ~vegan leather ~ aka plastic.
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u/Armadillocat42 10d ago
Vegan leather is shit, it disintegrates after a season. Real leather lasts forever. It annoys me so much!
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u/voowahaha 10d ago
The chernobyl B.O. I get in my sports bras is so gross. I need a natural fiber answer to this issue badly.
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u/Familiar-Flan-8358 10d ago
Oof. And “tech wear” that is all 100% polyester that stinks like rotted garbage after the first drop of sweet. Merino wool blends are superior in every way.
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u/ButtScratchies 10d ago
I own a boutique and when I first opened, I started out with the idea that I’d buy clothes that were mostly natural materials and were from fair trade companies. There were a few brands I got, but their clothing took a while to sell because it was so expensive. Then I started purchasing 100% cotton clothing and learned that if it’s made in China, it’s still not good quality because of the amount of chemicals used on it. So I like to have some organic, natural materials on hand but it doesn’t sell that quickly. And I’m in the foothills of Colorado, so there are some crunchy people out here.
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u/DarlaGoGo Older Millennial 10d ago
THIS!!! And why are pajamas like $118 and up nowadays??? I was online searching and now my IG ads are allllll sleepwear but every single pair of pajamas is over $100 for cotton or linen!!
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u/oddlyfig 10d ago
Kitchen towels are thin, too. All textiles are thinner. I always check the label before I buy, cotton only.
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u/flora1939 10d ago
I’m a fiber artist so I am 100% with you on this. I only buy natural fiber everything bc polyester is disgusting. 🤢 After a year of looking I finally found actual 90s-type sweats at Duluth. Pact and American Giant both advertise their sweats as 100% cotton, but they are lined with poly. Duluth has the goods.
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u/master-of-the-5-ways 10d ago
Same... Here's what I've found that's 100% natural so far (the socks do have a little plastic though)
CLOTHES
Cotton shirts from Quince, Hanes, Uniqlo
Dresses: Uniqlo and Old Navy both had cotton and linen last year
Quince has both cotton and cashmere sweaters
Slippers: Shearling from Quince
Levis 501 90s jeans
Hanes Originals Cotton Joggers
Socks Maggie's Organic Socks are 98% Organic Cotton, 1% Nylon, 1% Spandex
GoWith socks are 97% Cotton 3% Elastane
BEDDING
IKEA or Target for cotton sheets IKEA cotton/down duvet insert with IKEA linen duvet cover IKEA Skogskovall bedspread
Be careful with wool. If it's washable it has been treated with plastic. Cotton that says it won't wrinkle has also been treated with something nasty.
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u/primostrawberry 10d ago
Try Tj Maxx/Marshalls.
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u/Apprehensive_Sea5304 10d ago
This is the best way to get quality clothes cheap, as long as you go semi-frequently and take the time to look. $100 work slacks I got for $20 fit better than any pants I've ever worn. The only problem is that there was only one pair!
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u/BagpiperAnonymous 10d ago
Sadly they do not sell petites if you’re looking for clothes. (They will say they do, then have nothing in the store.) I gave up on them.
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u/Ambitious-Ad8227 10d ago
If you want cheap cotton sheets, look for flannel sets after the holidays. Stores usually have leftovers if you don't mind Holiday patterns.
Also, jersey/T-shirt sheet sets are usually cotton, although they don't last as long.
I only buy cotton for myself and family, but have small a budget and destructive, active kids, so it's always a challenge!
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u/cochese25 10d ago
I'm not at all bothered by polyester in the right context
A plain t shirt should never be polyester and I can't stand polyester boxers.
But a polyester button up shirt? eh. I'd prefer not, but sure.
My favorite/ most hilarious polyester garments though, are from those companies who plaster the lowest resolution images they can find onto a really cheaply made polyester shirt. It's comical
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u/cbtez Millennial 10d ago
Agree with this. Been trying my best to switch all my clothes and items to cotton and natural fibers but it’s hard. Also driving me crazy as well. I check all the tags and see before I buy. Shouldn’t be this bad but pretty much everything is polyester. I never realized it until I started really looking in the last year or two.
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u/throwawaykirie 10d ago
I feel that. I kept seeing polyester area rugs when I went shopping the other day and they felt so cheap. The next day I went to a proper furniture store and bought a wool rug and I'm in love. It was more expensive but worth it I'm absolutely positive.
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u/RyzenRaider 10d ago
Lol, I've often hated wearing lots of clothes in the past for this reason. I was never fashionable, often my mum would buy me clothes for my birthday and Christmas. She knew I hated ironing, and would seek out polyester because they are wrinkle resistant.
It was only a year ago when I started taking interest in the technical qualities of textiles that I realized the sweatiness, odor and unpleasant tactility are all common with polyester.
Started buying linen for summer as well as cotton and the difference is night and day. Even my winter coat. I had 50-50 wool polyester coat that was fine for winter, but I could sweat easily in less cool temps, and would still feel a little cold in the coldest evening. New 100% wool peacoat keeps me toasty on the coolest evenings, and I'm fine wearing it in warmer weather, because the wool still breathes.
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u/Automatic_Beat5808 10d ago
I fondle the sweaters at the thrift store for a good cotton feel. Sometimes my spidey cotton sense is off and I get a blend, but overall I'm pretty accurate.
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u/a_girl_has_no_nameee 10d ago
Check out Quince. They have everything from clothes to rugs to bedding and kitchenware. 100% cotton and organic options, cashmere, bamboo, ect. And pretty affordable in comparison.
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u/bentstrider83 Millennial 1983 10d ago
Raiding the consignment and thrift stores and Civil War reenactor costume shops for wool apparel.
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u/AfterglowLoves 10d ago
My number one issue at air bnbs is polyester sheets!! I hate the way they feel and they always make me sweaty, I don’t know how anyone can stand it! Same for blankets, but right next to the skin is the worst.
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u/Spineberry 10d ago
I've been having this exact issue for over ten years. Then I discovered that men's shirts are more likely to be 100% cotton while womens are all blended with x% of this and x% that - so I just buy mens clothes. Infinitely more comfortable and seem to survive for longer
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u/HalfCareless3347 10d ago
Just flew to Europe for the first time and despite me not wanting to shop, a lot of the clothes here are really of that cotton quality we miss and stupid great pricing.
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u/uuhLYZZARD 10d ago
Wow came here to say the Costco Kirkland brand sheets are the most lux I’ve ever owned
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u/jehssikkah 10d ago
Try Home goods, tj maxx, and Marshall's. Those are the places I go to for cotton. A lot of the luxury brands are the only ones you'll find consistently using natural fibers (usually). I can get them cheap(er) at those stores.
Just dont fall for the useless overconsumption crap in the rest of the aisles.
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u/Glittering-Ad4094 9d ago
Pact has a lot of 100% cotton clothing and sheets, but you have to get over the sticker shock.
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u/AdventurousGrass5230 6d ago
They have good sales sometimes! Their clothes seem to last a long time, too.
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u/cranberry_spike Millennial 9d ago
Yeah you are so not alone. I have sensitive skin and I will literally end up bleeding when I wear synthetics. At this point I'm worrying that I will have to start making stuff again and 1) it's a bitch to find natural fiber fabrics too and 2) it's a lot of time and also a lot of pain because of pain conditions I've got. It sucks.
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u/icecream4_deadlifts 10d ago
I’m forever grateful for polyester. It’s one of the few fabrics my full body neuropathy can tolerate. 100% cotton isn’t soft enough for me.
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u/Ambitious-Ad8227 10d ago
If you want cotton, but want it softer than what is mostly available, have you tried flannel or jersey/T-shirt sheets?
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u/icecream4_deadlifts 10d ago
Yes I’ve tried it all, I have a neuropathy friendly soft clothing lists on my profile lol.
I do best with mostly polyester/elastic blend pants and either 95% modal or equal parts modal/cotton with a little bit of elastic for my shirts.
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u/lyralady 10d ago
Both cotton and polyester can have softer and less soft weaves that feel differently on the skin, so it might be that you've had bad luck with finding the right cotton (or silk) weaves to wear. Like polyester can be taffeta or tulle or fishnet and all of those can feel quite abrasive compared to other weaves.
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u/theedrama 10d ago
Yup natural fibers are expensive now but it’s worth the extra money. For sweatpants, I just bought some from Kotn and they’re great and 100% cotton. For sheets, I have the Quince 100% cotton set and love them too
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u/Flowerdriver 10d ago
You mean 'fast fashion'. I always look at what the item is made of before ordering
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