Wool VS Synthetics
Wool is a natural, renewable fibre with unique properties that have made it a staple in garments ranging from technical outdoor wear to luxury fashion. Yet despite its many qualities, wool accounts for just 0.9% of the global textile fibre market, equivalent to around 1 million tonnes. In contrast, synthetic fibres, dominated by polyester, represent a staggering 67% of global production (Textile Exchange).
Looking at my own wardrobe, a lot of my jumpers are either a wool blended with synthetics or 100 per cent synthetic. This includes my cheapest jumpers from fast fashion to my most expensive from a high-end brand.
What has led us to this trend, and will fibres like polyester, acrylic and nylon replace wool altogether?
The Impact of Synthetics
The dominance of synthetics is rooted in affordability and convenience. Polyester costs about half as much per kilogram as cotton, and unlike natural fibres, it isn’t tied to seasons, rainfall, or animal care. Its versatility makes it easy to blend into other fabrics, creating the stretch, softness, or sheen that fast fashion craves. For brands trying to churn out garments quickly and cheaply, synthetics are the perfect solution.
But this convenience masks a hidden price. Polyester alone generated 125 million tonnes of CO₂e in 2022, tethering fashion directly to fossil fuels. And it doesn’t stop at climate emissions. The apparel industry produced 8.3 million tonnes of plastic pollution in 2019, about 14% of the total from all sectors. Every wash of a synthetic garment sheds microplastics, many of which end up in rivers and oceans (Changing Markets, 2022).
Scientists are only beginning to understand what this means for human health. Microplastics from textiles have been found in lung tissue, blood, placentas, and even the human brain. They have been linked to chronic inflammation, higher risks of heart disease, diabetes, and stroke, and impaired organ repair. In other words, the price of cheap clothes may be far higher than we realise (Changing Markets, 2022).
The Impact of Wool
Wool tells a different story. The top producers are Australia, Argentina, New Zealand, South Africa, the U.S., and Uruguay, together supplying just over a million tonnes annually (Fashion for Climate). Unlike polyester, wool depends on animals, and with that comes the responsibility of animal welfare. Poor practices, lack of sufficient pasture, and harmful interventions like mulesing have drawn criticism and remain an area of concern.
Wool’s climate profile is also complicated. Sheep emit methane, a powerful greenhouse gas, and the animal fibre industry generates around 35 million tonnes of CO₂e annually, with wool accounting for 98% (Carbonfact, 2024). At first glance, this appears damning.
Yet this is only part of the picture. Some regenerative farms have shown that well-managed sheep grazing can actually improve soil health, restore ecosystems, and even store more carbon than the sheep emit. In these cases, wool can achieve a net negative carbon footprint of up to –14 kg CO₂ per kilogram of fibre (Sheep Inc.). Unlike synthetics, wool garments also return safely to the earth at the end of their life, biodegrading naturally instead of lingering for centuries in landfills.
Why we should choose more wool
Beyond environmental impact, there is also the question of how clothes behave in daily life. Wool is renowned for its durability. A major study of wool sweaters found that extending their life from 100 wears to 400 reduced their impact per wear by nearly 70% (Wiedemann et al., 2020). Wool is also odour-resistant and keeps its shape, which means fewer washes and less energy used over time (Wiedemann et al., 2020). It is breathable, insulating, and naturally adapts to body temperature, making it a fibre you can wear year-round.
Synthetics, on the other hand, often promise durability but don’t always deliver it. Many fast-fashion pieces lose their shape or pill after only a few washes. What does last, unfortunately, are the plastics themselves, microfibres in waterways, or whole garments sitting intact in landfill for hundreds of years.
The rise of synthetics has been driven by price and speed, but those savings come at a planetary cost. Wool, though less than one per cent of the market, offers a way forward: clothing that is natural, renewable, and designed to last.
For consumers, the power lies in how we choose and use our clothes. Buying fewer pieces, prioritising natural fibres, and keeping garments in use longer are the most meaningful steps we can take.
Because in the end, fashion isn’t just about what looks good today. It’s about what endures, in our wardrobes, and on our planet.
Source: Textile Exchange, Materials Market Report, 2024
Source: Remake, Instagram