Trying to shop more sustainably can get expensive fast — and confusing even faster. One slow-fashion creator is now warning that a popular "better" fabric choice may not be living up to its eco-friendly image.
Rather than telling people to throw out everything they own, she is making a more practical point: Don't let green marketing push you into spending hundreds on clothes that may not be much better for the planet — or your wallet.
What's happening?
In a recent Instagram post, sustainable-living content creator Sabrina Pare (@sabrinaa_pare) pointed to recycled polyester as one of her shopping regrets. She said that although turning old plastic into new clothing can sound like a sustainability win, she no longer sees the material itself as deserving that label.
To explain why, she pointed to research on microfiber shedding.
"I regret buying clothing made from recycled polyester because i think it's incredibly greenwashing," she said. The study she referenced found recycled polyester released "on average 55 more microfibers than virgin polyester," with fibers that were "smaller, more toxic and dangerous."
She said she was not trying to attack the brands making those clothes and believed many of them were acting with good intentions. Her concern was more about the promise being sold to shoppers, especially when pricey garments that are worn and washed repeatedly may still contribute to microfiber pollution.
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In the comments, people said they were rethinking their own purchases and asking for alternatives made with natural materials.
Why does it matter?
The appeal of recycled polyester is easy to understand: It can seem preferable to making clothing from brand-new plastic, and it is often presented as a greener option. But if the finished garments still shed microfibers and remain synthetic, the environmental case becomes a lot murkier.
Cost is part of the issue too. The creator said she had spent "hundreds of dollars" on these workout clothes, highlighting how easily shoppers can pay a premium for products marketed as sustainable without getting the environmental benefit they expected.
Consumers trying to make smarter choices are often already stretching their budgets. If a "green" purchase turns out to be mostly marketing, that is not just frustrating — it can also make people more cynical about sustainability overall.
Some commenters focused on comfort and health as well. One wrote that synthetic fabrics left them "sweaty, stinky," while others said they were trying to phase such items out.
What can I do?
Her advice was not to rush into replacing everything at once. Instead, she said she plans to keep using the recycled polyester clothing she already owns until it wears out and then make future purchases from brands that use natural fibers.
That slower approach to replacing clothing can save money and reduce waste at the same time. Rather than throwing away existing items and starting over, shoppers can use what they have, buy less often, and be more selective when it is time to replace essentials.
Readers also offered practical suggestions of their own, including washing synthetics in cold water and being more deliberate about when they wear them. Others said the bigger issue was the lack of better choices. As one commenter put it, "I'm a trail runner and I'd like some more natural material pieces!"
"Now i'm not saying to throw away or donate all of your recycled polyester clothing," the creator said. "I still wear these things and plan to until they are no longer wearable."
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