The term "polyester" is being used as an insult for anything that is cheap, poor quality, or unnatural.

Polyester has been blended in phrases like a "polyester lifestyle," which is one a poser would present.

This polyester trend may be part of a broader desire for more authenticity and higher-quality things.

This insult is kind of about fiber optics, so to speak. If you do something that looks rather shoddy or fake, don't be surprised if someone calls it "polyester"—even though it didn't involve any activewear, fleece, or bedding materials. That's because "polyester" has become a more generic insult for anything that is considered cheap, poor quality, or unnatural. And this use of polyester may be a natural reaction to what's happening with the broader fabric of society right now.

"Polyester" References Have Been Growing on Social Media

These days you can certainly find plenty of "polyester" references woven into different social media posts and replies, especially from Gen Zers. This includes posts about real polyester, like TikTokers raising concerns about how polyester clothing is made from crude oil and discarded plastic bottles and, thus, is composed of plastic and chemicals that could in turn shed onto you and the environment. I have written in Forbes about such pollution concerns and potential negative health effects. Other TikTok posts have been about trying to purge polyester products from their wardrobes, lamenting how difficult it is to find higher-quality fabrics and clothing, and ridiculing social media influencers trying to sell low-quality merch made........

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