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Jess Cartner-Morley has been the Guardian’s fashion editor since 2000. She is online now answering your questions from tips for the well-dressed man to trouser fastenings
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PetertheGray asks: Why are so many high end items made from synthetic fibres? And are synthetics always bad?
Jess:
The answer to the first part of your question is just, price. As to the second part – as a rule of thumb, natural fibres are a sustainable choice. Virgin polyester – which is made from oil, and doesn’t biodegrade – is to be avoided. But there are also sustainable synthetic fibres. Look out for Tencel, which is the most common brand name for a fabric called lyocell, which is made from wood pulp, and is biodegradable.
I commend both of you for having figured out what you like and what suits you. That’s the hardest part. My personal bugbear front-fastening trousers where the ‘hidden’ hook-and-eye fastening is too close to the edge of the fabric so the metal keeps showing. Drives me insane.