# 100% Polyester Shirts-Work of the Devil! **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [August 13, 2011, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/100-polyester-shirts-work-of-the-devil/592593 "2011-08-13T18:13:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Starving\_Artist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aeb1de/32.png) [@Starving\_Artist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Starving_Artist)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2011, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/100-polyester-shirts-work-of-the-devil/592593/21 "2011-08-15T02:09:03Z")
> [@digs](#): > > Well, maybe I just haven’t found a “modern-enough” one, then. Got a pricey biking jersey, 100% PolyEvil. Maybe the wicking thing works, but I haven’t noticed while I’ve been basting in the thing! I swear, a half mile in the sun and I’m on the verge of heatstroke. A light cotton T-shirt is 20 degrees cooler, because it breathes. And the wind I generate (oh, yeah… that wind that I’m as fast as) evaporates the sweat just fine. So even cotton is pretty dry. > > But should I keep trying poly jerseys? Are the jerseys snug against your skin? They should fit snugly in order to wick away sweat and maximize cooling. If they are loose, the air they trap will act as an insulator and will hold your body heat inside. Needless to say, if you’re having trouble keeping cool you don’t want long sleeves. In fact, you may not want sleeves at all, as they make sleeveless jerseys too. ---
**Author:** ![R.P.McMurphy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/7993a0/32.png) [@R.P.McMurphy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/R.P.McMurphy)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2011, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/100-polyester-shirts-work-of-the-devil/592593/22 "2011-08-15T04:18:30Z")
> [@Starving\_Artist](#): > > Are the jerseys snug against your skin? They should fit snugly in order to wick away sweat and maximize cooling. If they are loose, the air they trap will act as an insulator and will hold your body heat inside. Needless to say, if you’re having trouble keeping cool you don’t want long sleeves. In fact, you may not want sleeves at all, as they make sleeveless jerseys too. Yea, really, what’s this guy wearing? A good cycling jersey will hug the skin and wick the moisture. Cycling is an especially a good example because there is always air flow. What is worse than a soggy, stinking cotton shirt? Let’s just say that every elite athlete these days is wearing a tight fitting microfiber shirt to wick away the sweat no matter what sport you are talking about. ---
**Author:** ![Brown\_Eyed\_Girl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/brown_eyed_girl/32/3574_2.png) [@Brown\_Eyed\_Girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brown_Eyed_Girl)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2011, 11:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/100-polyester-shirts-work-of-the-devil/592593/23 "2011-08-15T11:44:02Z")
> [@digs](#): > > Well, maybe I just haven’t found a “modern-enough” one, then. Got a pricey biking jersey, 100% PolyEvil. Maybe the wicking thing works, but I haven’t noticed while I’ve been basting in the thing! I swear, a half mile in the sun and I’m on the verge of heatstroke. A light cotton T-shirt is 20 degrees cooler, because it breathes. And the wind I generate (oh, yeah… that wind that I’m as fast as) evaporates the sweat just fine. So even cotton is pretty dry. > > But should I keep trying poly jerseys? How pricey is pricey? Not all jerseys are created equally. I like my Pearl Izumi jersey better than my team jersey because it’s softer and breathes better. You just need to keep shopping and try a few brands on. If you can’t find a poly jersey that you’re comfortable with, consider wool. Wool is what cyclists used to wear before petrochemicals brought us synthetics and is really a superior fabric for athletic activities, not just for it’s exceptional wicking properties, but also because it thermo-regulates (keeps you cooler in warm weather; warmer in cold weather), dries quickly and resists odor. Yes, it’s expensive. It’s worth it. Cotton is rotten. ---
**Author:** ![Baal\_Houtham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baal_houtham/32/13604_2.png) [@Baal\_Houtham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baal_Houtham)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2011, 12:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/100-polyester-shirts-work-of-the-devil/592593/24 "2011-08-15T12:21:17Z")
I don’t care for synthetic shirts, but the 100% cotton brigade annoys me too. A measured dose of polyester in a shirt -maybe 30-50%- cuts down on wrinkling, isn’t uncomfortable, and dramatically increases the garment’s durability. Fraying around the cuffs and collars is reduced. I’ve got cotton/poly blend knit shirts that are 10-15 years old and still look good for casual wear. The clothing industry probably prefers and promotes 100% cotton because it wears out faster. Individual sensitivity to polyester varies, and for me the high poly blends, like 65/35 are no fun to wear. Won’t buy them or wear them. Something else I hate: **synthetic bathrobes.** They’re very popular because they’re cheap and look big and fluffy, but putting one on after a shower is like wrapping yourself in a plastic bag. Aaack. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2011, 12:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/100-polyester-shirts-work-of-the-devil/592593/25 "2011-08-15T12:55:21Z")
I would heartily agree with pitting 100% polyester anything, except that I’m too pissed off at clothing manufacturers for ceasing to make all-cotton jeans-type pants in colors (i.e. brown, dark green). Comfortable, good-looking, durable - I guess that’s reason enough to discontinue them in favor of whatever pleated synthetic horror is currently the rage. ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2011, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/100-polyester-shirts-work-of-the-devil/592593/26 "2011-08-15T13:30:09Z")
My daughter just started working at McDonalds, and of course, has been issued shirts of 100% polyester. However, they’ve somehow managed to make these particular shirts even more horrible. If you touched one with your eyes closed, you would have no idea it was supposed to be fabric. The feeling gives me the shudders like grinding sand between my teeth. And yes, to actually wear them is to feel that you are about to catch fire. ---
**Author:** ![Patty\_O\_Furniture](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/96bed5/32.png) [@Patty\_O\_Furniture](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patty_O_Furniture)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2011, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/100-polyester-shirts-work-of-the-devil/592593/27 "2011-08-15T21:36:58Z")
> [@Brown\_Eyed\_Girl](#): > > Polyester is one of the most common fabrics for athletic apparel because it wicks sweat and dries quickly. Sometimes, it’s not the material is the design of the fabric. For this to work the shirt has to be tight fitting. There’s a reason why cyclists outfits are so tight and stretchy. ---
**Author:** ![OneMissedPost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8e7dd6/32.png) [@OneMissedPost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OneMissedPost)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2011, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/100-polyester-shirts-work-of-the-devil/592593/28 "2011-08-15T21:40:20Z")
One-hundred percent cotton is the way to go! ---
**Author:** ![Ogre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ecb155/32.png) [@Ogre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ogre)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2011, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/100-polyester-shirts-work-of-the-devil/592593/29 "2011-08-15T21:45:53Z")
> [@Jackmannii](#): > > I would heartily agree with pitting 100% polyester anything, except that I’m too pissed off at clothing manufacturers for ceasing to make all-cotton jeans-type pants in colors (i.e. brown, dark green). Comfortable, good-looking, durable - I guess that’s reason enough to discontinue them in favor of whatever pleated synthetic horror is currently the rage. Carhartt ---
**Author:** ![pikey\_pete](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8edcca/32.png) [@pikey\_pete](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pikey_pete)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2011, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/100-polyester-shirts-work-of-the-devil/592593/30 "2011-08-15T22:06:52Z")
polyester isn’t just the working man’s curse. if there is ever a fire at Lockheed Martin in the engineering area, the medical examiners office is going to have a hell of a time getting the bones out of the slab of melted plastic. ---
**Author:** ![teela\_brown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d9b06d/32.png) [@teela\_brown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teela_brown)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2011, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/100-polyester-shirts-work-of-the-devil/592593/31 "2011-08-15T22:38:04Z")
> [@thelurkinghorror](#): > > Don’t wear them when it’s 85 F out. > > You clearly aren’t ready for polyester. Meanwhile me, my suit, my giant lapels, and my cool medallion are going to tear up the disco. It’s already going to be hot there, you just deal with it and drink, uh… whatever you drink in the 70s. We were drinking tequila sunrises circa 1976 or so. ---
**Author:** ![No\_umlaut\_for\_U](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ea5d25/32.png) [@No\_umlaut\_for\_U](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/No_umlaut_for_U)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2011, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/100-polyester-shirts-work-of-the-devil/592593/32 "2011-08-17T03:21:32Z")
Sloe gin fizzes! ---
**Author:** ![Brown\_Eyed\_Girl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/brown_eyed_girl/32/3574_2.png) [@Brown\_Eyed\_Girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brown_Eyed_Girl)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2011, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/100-polyester-shirts-work-of-the-devil/592593/33 "2011-08-17T03:39:59Z")
> [@Patty\_O\_Furniture](#): > > For this to work the shirt has to be tight fitting. There’s a reason why cyclists outfits are so tight and stretchy. Well yes, it won’t wick if it’s not touching the skin. ---
**Author:** ![Jaledin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Jaledin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jaledin)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2011, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/100-polyester-shirts-work-of-the-devil/592593/34 "2011-08-18T21:42:59Z")
> [@Brown\_Eyed\_Girl](#): > > Well yes, it won’t wick if it’s not touching the skin. It won’t wick, as such, but it will dry quickly (if desperate, strip it off and leave it in the sun while you do something for a few minutes, like a 15 minute jazzercise routine). There are tight-fitting merino tee-shirts and such that I’ve heard good things about for colder weather. But polyester and other synthetics are the gold standard, IMHO. Even just walking around in sunlight can be enough to dry them quickly if you’re not sweating buckets – not so with cotton, needless to say. ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2011, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/100-polyester-shirts-work-of-the-devil/592593/35 "2011-08-18T21:48:33Z")
You should be more appreciative. Do you ever think about how many polyesters had to die so you could have a shirt that needs no ironing? ---
**Author:** ![El\_Gui](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/35a633/32.png) [@El\_Gui](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Gui)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2011, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/100-polyester-shirts-work-of-the-devil/592593/36 "2011-08-18T21:51:40Z")
If you think Polyester is bad, try wearing a long-haired Persian. And they scratch, too. ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2011, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/100-polyester-shirts-work-of-the-devil/592593/37 "2011-08-18T22:07:04Z")
> [@gonzomax](#): > > You should be more appreciative. Do you ever think about how many polyesters had to die so you could have a shirt that needs no ironing? Way back in the first _Leisure Suit Larry_ game, if you look at the door to the back room in the bar at the beginning, you wonder how many naugas had to die to upholster the naugahyde door. ---
**Author:** ![Darth\_Panda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ee7513/32.png) [@Darth\_Panda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darth_Panda)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2011, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/100-polyester-shirts-work-of-the-devil/592593/38 "2011-08-18T22:51:13Z")
> [@El\_Gui](#): > > If you think Polyester is bad, try wearing a long-haired Persian. And they scratch, too. [Kittys’ got claws…](http://shazinx.blogspot.com/2008/07/typical-persian-girls.html) ---
**Author:** ![PunditLisa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/4af34b/32.png) [@PunditLisa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PunditLisa)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2011, 12:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/100-polyester-shirts-work-of-the-devil/592593/39 "2011-08-19T12:10:20Z")
I’m totally on board with you, OPer. I have to wear the DryFit material because manufacturers just don’t make tennis apparel in 100% cotton anymore. I get that the DryFit material is lighter when it gets wet, but I still believe that the DryFit _causes_ me to sweat more, so it’s a trade off. If I’m playing outside in the direct sun, I refuse to wear anything but very thin white cotton on my upper body. Inside the air conditioning, I’ve learned to live with all DryFit. But for practice, it’s back to cotton. We’re hosting the Tennis Masters series this week and I’ve been watching the pros play. Rafa came out in his trademark Nike DryFit line, but I was shocked to see that he chose his dark green shirt and navy blue shorts for day matches. Yikes. Of course, it took him almost 4 hours to beat Verdasco. Hmmm. :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![Brown\_Eyed\_Girl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/brown_eyed_girl/32/3574_2.png) [@Brown\_Eyed\_Girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brown_Eyed_Girl)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2011, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/100-polyester-shirts-work-of-the-devil/592593/40 "2011-08-19T19:32:20Z")
> [@Jaledin](#): > > It won’t wick, as such, but it will dry quickly (if desperate, strip it off and leave it in the sun while you do something for a few minutes, like a 15 minute jazzercise routine). There are tight-fitting merino tee-shirts and such that I’ve heard good things about for colder weather. But polyester and other synthetics are the gold standard, IMHO. Even just walking around in sunlight can be enough to dry them quickly if you’re not sweating buckets – not so with cotton, needless to say. BION, merino is not just for cold weather. Check out SmartWool’s microweight line (or their cycling jerseys) or Icebreaker’s Superfine line. Ibex is another quality brand of sport merino. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/100-polyester-shirts-work-of-the-devil/592593.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/100-polyester-shirts-work-of-the-devil/592593.md?page=3)