What's cooler? Polyester or Cotton?

What’s cooler, polyester or cotton fabric? 

It depends! 

Part of the opinion on what is cooler has to do with what you grew up with; Baby Boomers and the older members of Generation X tend to feel cooler and more comfortable in cotton garments due to their experiences growing up with it. These folks believe, as the saying goes, “cotton is the fabric of your life”.

Millennials, on the other hand, grew up with moisture-wicking fabrics and companies such as Under Armour. This generally makes them feel more comfortable in the fabric of their lives, polyester.

We’ve experienced this anecdotally with our customers’ experiences as well when we asked them their preferences for fabric, it is very much driven by generational markets.  So, when suggesting items we ask: to what generation do most of your employees belong? Issues with workplace clothing can often arise when the staff is cross-generational, and thus disagree on which fabric is most comfortable. Based on the situation, we recommend employers select shirts of both types of fabric, and allow their employees to choose between them.

What's the science?

COTTON

PROS

·         Cotton, having natural fibers, absorbs sweat much easier than polyester

·         It’s generally a softer, more breathable fabric

CONS

·         It tends to hold on to the sweat it does absorb; without evaporation to take the liquid away from your skin, the trapped sweat makes you feel hotter for longer

·         Cotton may feel softer, but it isn’t as durable as some other fabrics under repeated uses and washings

POLYESTER

PROS

·         It wicks away moisture more quickly than cotton

·         It’s a long-lasting fabric, holding up well to use and washings

CONS

·         Polyester tends not to absorb as much liquid as cotton; while it wicks away the liquid it does absorb quickly, the remaining sweat stays trapped against the skin, keeping you warm and uncomfortable

·         Generally speaking, polyester isn’t as “breathable” as cotton…unless the fabric is skin-tight, and not many people can pull off that look

Whether you’re working out or just trying to keep cool on a hot day, it’s important to know what to wear to keep yourself from getting too hot. Of course, when it comes to fabrics, this raises an important question: which fabric will keep you the coolest? There are other fabrics out there, but traditionally the two most popular choices are either cotton or polyester. All in all, it comes down to opinion; do you prefer a faster wicking fabric, or a more absorbent one? A more breathable cotton shirt, or a more durable polyester one? Did you grow up with cotton, or polyester? A number of factors play into which fabric will make you feel cooler, so remember to consider what you’ll need it for before you make a choice.

Of course, if you have an allergy to either cotton or polyester, it’s a bit of a moot point.

[Information sources:  http://www.washingtonpost.com/wpdyn/content/article/2010/08/09/AR2010080904129.html

http://www.healthguidehq.com/workout-clothes-for-hot-weather.html

https://www.sewingpartsonline.com/blog/411-cotton-vs-polyester-pros-cons/

Image source @ https://www.sewingpartsonline.com/blog/411-cotton-vs-polyester-pros-cons/ ]