Plastic in Fashion

Plastic is one of the most commonly used materials around the world and is found in the fashion industry more than you may realise; from the clothes we wear to fun accessories, plastic can be used to produce many materials and products.

Materials Made from Plastic

The most commonly used materials in fashion are polyester, acrylic and nylon, due to them being lightweight, durable, affordable and flexible.

Polyester

Polyester is a synthetic fabric that is derived from petroleum-based products obtained from fossil fuels. This material is durable, moisture resistant, and can retain its shape making it the perfect material for clothes. Polyester can be found in a wide variety of clothing items, including shirts, trousers, jackets, socks and underwear.

Acrylic

Acrylic is a synthetic fibre made from polymers formed by acrylonitrile or vinyl cyanide, also produced from fossil fuels. Acrylic is most commonly used for warmer clothes as it’s designed to be similar to wool; it dries quickly, is easy to wash and is warm. Acrylic can be found in clothing such as sweatshirts, mittens, gloves, hoodies, trousers, and other clothing items that you may use in the winter.

Nylon

Nylon is a synthetic fabric that is derived from crude oil and petroleum non-renewable energy. This material is lightweight, strong, and resists shrinkage and wrinkling. Nylon is most commonly found in clothing such as tights and swimwear due to its strength.

Plastic Accessories

Not only can plastic be found in the fabric used in clothing, but you can also find it in the accessories you wear every day. Things like bags, jewellery, glasses, and headbands can all be made from plastic.

Many brands even incorporate recycled plastic bottles into their clothes to be more eco-friendly. This process includes removing the bottle cap and sorting them by colour, cleaning and drying the bottles, and shredding these bottles into small flakes. These small flakes can then be melted and extruded into yarn and thread to be used for clothes.

Here at Rayda, we create bespoke plastic products from extrusion. For more information on our service or if you have any enquiries, please contact us today.

For more information on Plastic in Fashion talk to Rayda Plastics Ltd