When we talk about conventional attires, such as thethobe, comfort and dignity are our top priorities. For years, natural fibers such as cotton and wool were the default choices for this type of clothing: valued for their natural breathability, and their capacity to keep the wearer feeling cool. Butpolyesteralso offered a new set of advantages it was durable, wrinkle resistant and had very nice drape along with one big disadvantage. Polyester has been basically a synthetic fabric, and they are not natural breathable fabrics, often lust trapping the moisture and heat against your body that can make you feel uncomfortable especially in hot days. This is where the incredible skill of textile finishing comes in, turning a raw fabric into something that not only feels great against the skin, but is hypoallergenic and perfect for 21st century thobes.
The Big Issue with Polyester and Water
To get an idea of how finishing works, let me explain what is actually wrong with untreated polyester.Waterproof? The fibers are hydrophobic, which is to say they do not absorb water. This makes for faster drying, but it also results in sweat not being absorbed in its liquid form. Rather, it beads up on the surface of the fabric or remains logged between fibers and the skin. This causes a damp sticky feeling that prevents your body from naturally cooling down by the use of evaporation. It can be plastic-like and stifling, the antithesis of what you (and I mean royal you here) want in anall-day garmentmeant to keep you comfortable for formal or steamy situations. This natural tendency initially made polyester not the best candidate for thobes However, innovative finishing allowed a solution to be achieved.
Making of moisture wicking and hydrophilic finishes
The absolute most modern type of finishes among polyester is obviously the hydrophilic, also called moisture wicking. This method alters the personality of polyester fiber on a molecular level while leaving its inherent structure unchanged. During finishing, the fabric is treated with special chemical agents. These agents are amphiphilic, one part thereof being tightly bound to the polyester, while a second part thereof is hydrophilic. This sets up capillary action in each filament. Rather than lingering on the skin, sweat is transported along the surface of the fiber and dispersed over a much broader area of fabric. This enhances the area for evaporation tremendously. The result is that moisture moves from inside the garment to outside of the garment where it continuously evaporates, keeping you cool and providing a more comfortable fit. It’s a finish that allows polyester to conduct sweat in ways it inherently can’t.
Improving the Oxygen Flow by Structural and Surface Tailoring
In addition to chemical wizardry, mechanical and physicalfinishing’sare also paramount in increasing breathability. A common type of mechanical texturizing is the treatment in which the polyester yarns are modified to form a more open, lofty, or crinkled construction. This creates small pockets of air across the weave, which makes it more porous. Widening the gap between threads allows air to flow more freely, which can help vent body heat and allow vapor to escape. Another way is to create micro-perforations or a small brushing on the fabric, again breaking down the smooth tight surface of normal polyester and allows better air ventilation. These added structures work in tandem with chemical (wicking) finishes, treating the problem of heat and perspiration from both sides to produce a fully more breathable fabric.
The Result: Tradition and Innovation in a Perfect Marriage
These new age fabric finishes have fundamentally altered the image of polyester in formal wear. A finished polyester thobe material is now no longer trapped by the constraints of its raw fabric. Rather, it provides a mix of both. The practical qualities of polyester (strength, wrinkle resistance and the ability for the fabric to take a set shape), are combined with good moisture dispersal properties thanks to hydrophilic molecules in the polyester drawing water-based perspiration away from you while repelling oil-based liquids. This unique collaboration makes for a garment that doesn't just look great and is easy to care for, but also smartly tailored to the way contemporary city dwellers live and the range of weather they experience. This power of finishing not only turns the thobe, a store-bought garment, into a monument to textile ingenuity.