Well-made, but plastic on skin.
↳ Outerwear or layers — not for direct skin contact.
Why this material grade?
This product scored 58/100 on the 7-axis material rubric, based on its composition of 44% Polyester, 43% Cotton, 13% Spandex. Blended from 44% Polyester, 43% Cotton, 13% Spandex — the score is a weighted average based on each material's proportion.
C (55-69): Average material composition — typical blend, reasonable for everyday wear.
What this score doesn't measure
- ×Fiber grade. Staple length, micronaire, strength. "100% cotton" could be short-staple upland or long-staple Pima — same label, very different fabric.
- ×Yarn processing. Singles count, ply (single vs two-ply), spinning method (open-end vs ring-spun vs compact), mercerization. Invisible from any label.
- ×Knit / weave structure. Single jersey vs interlock, knit tightness. A loose knit pills; a tight knit lasts.
- ×Fabric weight (GSM). One construction signal among several — and high GSM can come from loose cheap yarn just as easily as from fine tight yarn. We have it for blank manufacturers, rarely for retail.
- ×Pre-shrink processing. Sanforized cotton shrinks ~1%; non-sanforized can shrink up to 10%. Not visible from the composition tag.
- ×Construction quality. Stitch density (SPI), seam types, collar geometry, manufacturing tolerances (AQL). These often matter more than the fiber itself.
- ×Specific chemical loads. Health Impact flags "likely PFAS / possible formaldehyde" from composition × category — we don't lab-test individual SKUs.
We rate the fabric, not the garment. Composition is the floor of what you're guaranteed to be getting — most shoppers don't have that.
Average quality, high synthetic content
Decent for everyday wear, but the synthetic content means microplastic shedding and it won't biodegrade. Consider natural alternatives for your next purchase.
Every wash of synthetic fabric releases up to 700,000 microplastic fibers into waterways. Use a Guppyfriend bag to catch them.
This fabric will take 200+ years to decompose. That means a shirt you buy today will still exist in the year 2226.
Dryer heat destroys spandex/elastane over time. Your leggings and stretchy clothes will last 2x longer if you skip the dryer.
Biodegradability
Not BiodegradableMaterials will persist in the environment for decades.
Health & environmental impact →Health Impact
Microplastic shedding · skin-contact synthetic load · likely chemical treatments
High health impact — significant synthetic content or likely chemical treatments. For frequent skin-contact wear, consider a natural-fiber alternative.
700,000 fibers/wash
57% synthetic
PFAS, Antimony
- PFAS (likely): 57% synthetic outerwear is typically treated with PFAS-based DWR (durable water repellent) for water resistance.
- Antimony (trace): Virgin polyester contains trace antimony from PET production. Recycled polyester reduces but does not eliminate it.
Care Guide
Best For
Good comfort (63) and care ease (81) for casual wear
Good durability (71) and comfort (63) for office wear
Good durability (71) and breathability (53) for outdoor activities
Better Alternatives
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