As Pilates teachers, we often focus on the movement, the method, and the wellbeing of our clients. But have you ever stopped to think about the clothes you wear while teaching or practising Pilates? Our wellness extends beyond the mat and encompasses the choices we make, including what we put on our bodies. Today, I want to highlight something that often goes unnoticed—the story of polyester and how this fabric, born from the waste of crude oil, has taken over the world of clothing, including what we wear for Pilates.
The Origins of Polyester: A Chemical Invention
Polyester was introduced in the 1970s by the DuPont Chemical Company. It wasn’t created out of a necessity for better clothing, but rather as a way for DuPont to find a use for the leftover waste after refining crude oil. These by-products were essentially free, which allowed DuPont to produce a fabric at a low cost and market it as a ‘miracle’ material. This fabric, made from waste, was sold as a solution to the so-called ‘problem’ of cotton being too water-intensive to grow and process.
Polyester was initially marketed as a fabric you could wear for days without washing or ironing. But there was one major flaw—people hated it. It was stiff, uncomfortable, and didn’t breathe like natural fabrics such as cotton and linen. As a result, consumers turned away from polyester in favour of natural fibres.
The Relaunch of Polyester: Microfiber
By the 1990s, polyester underwent a major revamp. DuPont and other companies worked to improve the fabric, adding petroleum-based chemicals to make it sweat-wicking and more comfortable to wear. The result was the introduction of microfiber, a rebranded form of polyester that caught on quickly. By 1991, polyester clothing had gone from being a fringe option to a mainstream choice, with polyester now making up close to 70% of all clothes produced.
The irony here is that, despite initial rejection, polyester has dominated the fashion industry. Brands were quick to adopt it due to its lower production costs compared to natural fabrics like cotton, linen, hemp, and wool. Yet polyester comes at a significant environmental cost: it takes up to 200 years to biodegrade, and in that time, it releases toxic microplastics into the soil, water, and even the air we breathe.
Why This Matters for Pilates Teachers
As Pilates teachers, we are part of a profession that promotes wellness, balance, and mindful living. But if we are wearing clothes made from petroleum by-products that harm the environment and contribute to pollution, are we truly embodying the principles of wellness? The clothes we wear during our practice should reflect our values. Just as we teach our clients to move mindfully, we should be mindful of the materials we choose to wear and promote.
What Can We Do? Choosing Better Fabrics
The good news is that we have the power to make a difference. Polyester became dominant because it was cheap and convenient, but we don’t have to settle for that. There are many brands today producing clothing made from natural fibres like cotton, linen, hemp, and wool. These materials are not only more comfortable and breathable but also better for the environment.
Here are a few things to consider when choosing Pilates clothing:
Opt for Natural Fibres – Look for clothes made from cotton, linen, or hemp. These materials are biodegradable, more breathable, and align with a more sustainable lifestyle.
Support Small Brands – Many small, ethical brands are creating clothing with natural fibres. By supporting them, you can reduce your environmental footprint and contribute to a positive change in the industry.
Educate Your Clients – As leaders in the Pilates community, we can educate our clients about the benefits of wearing sustainable clothing. It’s another way to extend the wellness conversation beyond the studio.
Vote with Your Wallet – Every purchase you make is a vote for the kind of world you want to live in. If we stop buying polyester, companies will take notice and change their production methods.
Conclusion: We Can Make a Change
While it might feel like the petrochemical industry ‘won’ by pushing polyester into mainstream fashion, we don’t have to let them continue winning. We have the buying power and the influence to make changes in what we wear and what we recommend to others. As Pilates teachers, it’s up to us to lead by example, choosing clothing that supports our values of health, sustainability, and wellness. Let’s make sure our Pilates practice extends to every part of our lives, including the clothes we wear.
By rejecting polyester and choosing natural fabrics, we not only feel better in what we wear but also take a stand for the planet and future generations. Wellness isn’t just about what we do on the mat—it’s about how we live our lives, and every decision counts.
Let’s make mindful clothing choices that reflect the mindful movement we teach.
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