Natural and Sythetic Fibers in Clothing

What are the advantages and disadvantages of natural and synthetic fibers in clothing?

Natural and synthetic fibers are a crucial part in the creation of clothing worldwide. A fiber is a raw material with properties including the suitable length, pliability and strength, all qualities that give it the ability to be used in fabrics and yarns. Fibers consist of different types of polymers, and all fibers are made of polymers. ("Polymer (chemistry)"). A polymer is a large, or macromolecules formed in a repeated pattern called a monomer. Different polymers have varying properties and this is why some materials are sought after to be used in fabrics and some aren’t ("Polymers in Textile Fibers"). A very important element in most polymers is carbon, as it forms a wide variety of bonds. Polymers are produced biologically in nature, and also have the ability to be created synthetically, hence synthetic fibers ("Synthetic Fibers"). So this leaves the question, what are the advantages and disadvantages of the respective natural and synthetic fibers and what is the reasoning behind choosing one over another? What qualities do natural and synthetic fibers have that persuades people toward using them?

The use of natural fibers in clothing has been found to date back to the 6th and 7th centuries. Recently, scientists have discovered clothing and rugs made from natural fibers during the excavation of an area notorious for its information about the Swiss cave dwellers of the 6th century. Natural fibers are still being used every day, all around the world, by a myriad of people. They are used in everything from clothing to paper, from rubber to rugs and carpets. Widely available all over the world, natural fibers are very popular for use in cl...

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... Acknowledging that natural fibers are not always the better option, they present viable reasons as to why they are useful. They are soft and breathable, yet strong at the same time.

In conclusion while positive and negative parts of both synthetic and natural fibers exist, as evidence in the reasons presented before, natural fibers are the better option for the use in clothing. Their molecular structure makes them reliable and they are already being used, and have been for a long time for many different types of clothing. They are more environmentally friendly and are produced without the use of chemicals, and their polymers stay intact. Synthetic fibers have their advantages, but they are undermined by the prominent disadvantages. Both are necessary to modern life, and it is important to continue the research being made into further improving these products.