Synthetic fabric is everywhere, from clothing and upholstery to accessories and performance wear. But while the term is widely used, it’s often poorly understood. What is synthetic fabric? What are synthetic fabrics actually made from? Are they inherently bad for the environment? And how do they compare to alternatives like natural fibers or synthetic leather fabric?
This guide breaks down synthetic fabrics from a sustainability perspective: what they are, why they became so common, how they’re dyed and maintained, and what trade-offs they present in a world trying to reduce environmental impact.
What Is Synthetic Fabric?
Synthetic fabric refers to textiles made from man-made fibers, typically derived from petrochemicals rather than plants or animals. Unlike cotton, wool, or linen, synthetic fabrics are produced through industrial chemical processes.
So when people ask what is synthetic fabric, the most direct answer is:
a textile created from chemically engineered fibers rather than natural sources.
What Are Synthetic Fabrics?
Some of the most common synthetic fabrics include:
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Polyester
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Nylon (polyamide)
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Acrylic
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Elastane / Spandex
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PVC and PU-based synthetic leather fabric
These materials are valued for being lightweight, durable, inexpensive, and easy to mass-produce, which explains their dominance in modern fashion and home goods.
Is Polyester a Synthetic Fabric?
Yes. Polyester is a synthetic fabric, and it is the most widely used textile fiber in the world.
Polyester is made from petroleum-derived polymers (PET), the same base material used in plastic bottles. Its popularity comes from:
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Low production cost
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High durability
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Wrinkle resistance
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Compatibility with fast production cycles
From a sustainability standpoint, polyester’s durability can be a benefit, but its fossil-fuel origin and microplastic shedding raise serious environmental concerns.
What Fabrics Are Synthetic?
If a fabric label lists any of the following, it is synthetic:
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Polyester
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Nylon
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Acrylic
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Elastane / Lycra / Spandex
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Polyurethane (PU)
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Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)
Blends are also common. Many garments combine natural and synthetic fibers, which can complicate recycling and end-of-life disposal.
Why Synthetic Fabrics Became So Common
Synthetic fabrics rose to prominence in the mid-20th century because they solved several industrial problems at once:
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They reduced reliance on agricultural fibers
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They enabled rapid, scalable production
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They offered consistent quality and performance
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They lowered costs dramatically
In fact, synthetic fabric was once common in sweaters specifically because acrylic and polyester could mimic wool’s appearance while being cheaper, lighter, and easier to wash.
Over time, these same advantages fueled overproduction and disposability, key drivers of the modern fast-fashion system.
Synthetic Fabric Dye and Environmental Impact
Synthetic fabric dye presents unique environmental challenges.
Unlike natural fibers, synthetic fabrics do not readily absorb dye. This requires:
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Higher temperatures
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Synthetic dispersing agents
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Chemical binders
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Greater energy use
As a result, dyeing synthetic fabrics can generate polluted wastewater if not carefully controlled. Many dyes used on polyester and acrylic are persistent in water systems and difficult to break down.
This is why responsible manufacturing (closed-loop water systems, low-impact dyes, and strict wastewater treatment) matters as much as the fabric itself.
How to Dye Synthetic Fabric
From a practical standpoint, how to dye synthetic fabric differs significantly from dyeing cotton or linen.
Key differences:
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Synthetic fabrics require disperse dyes, not fiber-reactive dyes
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Dyeing usually requires near-boiling temperatures
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Home dyeing is more difficult and less predictable
Because of this, many synthetic garments are dyed at the factory level, reinforcing the importance of responsible dye houses and environmental controls upstream.
Synthetic Leather Fabric: What It Is and How It Fits In
Synthetic leather fabric is a subset of synthetic textiles designed to mimic animal leather. It is most commonly made from:
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PU (polyurethane)
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PVC (polyvinyl chloride)
Synthetic leather fabric is often labeled as “vegan leather,” though that term only describes the absence of animal materials, not environmental impact.
From a sustainability lens:
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Synthetic leather avoids animal agriculture
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It often relies heavily on fossil fuels
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Durability varies widely
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Lower-quality versions peel and crack, leading to early disposal
Longevity and material transparency are key factors in evaluating whether synthetic leather fabric is a better choice than animal or plant-based alternatives.
Environmental Trade-Offs of Synthetic Fabrics
Synthetic fabrics are not inherently “bad,” but they come with trade-offs that need to be understood.
Benefits
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High durability
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Resistance to mold and moisture
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Lightweight, low water use during production
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Can be made from recycled materials (e.g., recycled polyester)
Challenges
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Derived from fossil fuels
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Shed microplastics during washing
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Not biodegradable
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Difficult to recycle, especially when blended
From a sustainability standpoint, longevity and use frequency matter enormously. A synthetic garment worn for ten years has a very different footprint than one discarded after a season.
Recycled Synthetic Fabrics: A Partial Solution
One response to the environmental cost of virgin synthetics has been the rise of recycled synthetic fabrics, especially recycled polyester.
These fabrics:
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Repurpose existing plastic waste
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Reduce demand for virgin fossil fuels
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Still shed microplastics
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Still require energy and chemical processing
Recycling addresses material sourcing, but not end-of-life or microplastic release, which is why recycled synthetics are best viewed as an improvement, not a final solution.
How to Use Synthetic Fabrics More Responsibly
For households and wardrobes that already include synthetic fabrics, sustainability can be improved by:
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Washing less frequently
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Using cold water and gentle cycles
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Air drying
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Using microplastic-catching laundry bags or filters
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Choosing higher-quality pieces designed to last
Extending the life of existing synthetic garments is often more impactful than replacing them immediately.
Synthetic Fabrics at Shifting Gaia
At Shifting Gaia, brands selling synthetic fabrics are evaluated within a broader context that includes:
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Fiber origin (virgin vs recycled)
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Dyeing and finishing processes
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Durability and repairability
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Intended lifespan
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End-of-life considerations
Some synthetic materials score reasonably well when used thoughtfully and transparently. Others do not. The goal is not to eliminate all synthetics overnight, but to understand their role and reduce unnecessary harm.
Final Thoughts
So, what are synthetic fabrics? They are man-made textiles that have shaped modern manufacturing, fashion, and convenience, often at a high environmental cost.
Understanding what synthetic fabric is, what fabrics are synthetic, how synthetic fabric dye affects ecosystems, and where synthetic leather fabric fits into the sustainability conversation allows for more informed decisions.
Sustainability isn’t about purity. It’s about material literacy, system awareness, and choosing options designed to stay in use, rather than be replaced.
