Few areas of fashion are as ambiguous as the topic of materials. Cotton is automatically considered "natural" and therefore sustainable by many. Polyester is immediately associated with microplastics and poor quality. And new alternatives often sound futuristic but are difficult to categorize. Anyone who wants to shop more consciously therefore needs an honest look at the most important fabric groups – and what they mean in practice.
Cotton is deeply ingrained in our daily lives. It's soft, versatile, and has been the standard material for T-shirts, shirts, and jeans for decades. But its environmental impact is problematic. Water consumption is enormous, land use is extensive, and the use of pesticides is still widespread globally. Even organic cotton reduces chemical use, but not automatically eliminates the immense resource consumption. This doesn't mean that cotton is inherently bad—but it's far removed from the idealized, "natural" image that many people have in mind.
Polyester stands at the other end of the spectrum and also has its drawbacks. It is petroleum-based, generates microplastics when washed, and often feels less premium. At the same time, polyester possesses undeniable qualities: high durability, dimensional stability, and a long lifespan. It can be beneficial in certain applications, but as a mass-produced material without a recycling strategy, it is not a viable solution for the future. Recycled polyester is a step in the right direction, but it doesn't truly solve the microplastic problem. Here, too, it becomes clear: there are no easy answers.
Things get really interesting with materials that take a completely different approach. Modern cellulose fibers like TENCEL are produced in closed-loop systems, require only a fraction of the water used by cotton, and are manufactured without harsh chemicals. They are durable, breathable, and comfortable against the skin. At the same time, they are biodegradable and leave no microplastic residue. This category of materials proves that sustainability and functionality are not mutually exclusive, but can even reinforce each other.
Bio-based and circular fibers are also developing rapidly. Fabrics made from food waste, fungi, or algae are no longer science fiction, but real alternatives that are gradually becoming market-ready. The crucial point is not that everything will be replaced tomorrow, but that the textile industry is starting today to rethink its foundations. Away from problematic mass-produced fibers, towards circular systems, smarter resource flows, and durable materials.
For consumers, this means: simply looking at the label is no longer enough. What matters is how a fabric is produced, what resources it requires, and how long it will remain wearable. Sustainability isn't achieved by a "bio" or "recycled" label, but by material choices that are honest, efficient, and future-oriented. Those who take a little time to understand the differences automatically make better purchases. And in the end, the clothes that end up in your wardrobe are not only beautiful but can also be worn with a clear conscience.
Manuela Bretschneider
