Birthday shopping has always been something to look forward to, hasn’t it? There’s something so exciting about searching for that one outfit that makes your special day feel even more memorable. You try on different styles, imagine how they’ll look in photos, and somehow convince yourself that buying just one more dress couldn’t possibly hurt. After all, birthdays only come once a year.
That’s exactly how this shopping trip began.
But somewhere between the trial rooms and the clothing racks, it stopped being about my birthday and started becoming about something much bigger.
Every outfit that caught my eye came with a hefty price tag. The displays looked luxurious, the brands were familiar, and the dresses were beautiful. But this time, instead of looking at the design or the brand first, I checked the fabric label. A few years ago, I would never have paid attention to what an outfit was made of. Now, it’s one of the first things I look at before deciding whether to buy it.
100% polyester.
I picked another dress.
Polyester again.
Another one.
The same story.
By the end of the day, I wasn’t thinking about which dress suited me best. Instead, I found myself wondering why so many popular brands charge premium prices for clothes that are made mostly from polyester.
Maybe I noticed it because I’ve changed.
The last few months have been different. Going through surgery made me pause and look at life from a different perspective. It wasn’t just about recovering physically. It quietly changed the way I think about my body. It made me realise how often we take our health for granted until life forces us to slow down. I’ll share more about that journey in another post because it deserves its own space.
But one thing that experience gave me was a new habit.
I now ask a simple question before buying almost anything.
Is this good for my body?
Earlier, shopping meant asking, Will this look good on me?
Now it means asking, Will this be good for me?
That small change has made a big difference.These days, before I admire the colour or the design, I look at the fabric composition. Cotton. Linen. Bamboo. Modal. Fabrics that allow the skin to breathe and feel comfortable. They may wrinkle more, they may not always be the trendiest choice, and sometimes they aren’t even easy to find, but they make me feel like I’m choosing my health over convenience.
One thought stayed with me throughout this birthday shopping.
The goal isn’t to look good in party photographs anymore. The goal is to look good in medical reports.
This shift didn’t happen overnight. Over the years, I’ve also been learning to slow down and embrace a simpler, more intentional way of living. If this resonates with you, you might enjoy reading my thoughts on how to lead a simple lifestyle that makes you happy
My goal has changed. It’s no longer just about looking good in party photos. It’s about looking good in my medical reports too. Because today, good health matters far more to me than following every fashion trend.
That sentence has become my filter for so many decisions.
It doesn’t mean we stop enjoying fashion or dressing up. It simply means our health deserves to be part of the conversation too.
Polyester certainly has its place. It works well for activewear, jackets, and clothing that needs durability. This isn’t about declaring polyester as the enemy. It’s about becoming more aware of what we’re wearing every single day.
Natural fabrics usually allow better airflow, making them more comfortable, especially in hot weather. Polyester tends to trap heat and sweat, and many people with sensitive skin find it less comfortable for long hours of wear. It also sheds tiny microplastics during washing, adding to an environmental problem that most of us never think about while standing in a trial room.
What surprised me most wasn’t polyester itself.
It was how difficult it had become to find natural fabrics, even in stores selling premium collections. Somewhere along the way, we’ve started associating expensive with better, without asking what we’re actually paying for.
Growing older has taught me something birthdays never did.The most expensive choice isn’t always the best one.The most fashionable choice isn’t always the healthiest one.
And sometimes, the smartest shopping decision is the one that never reaches the billing counter.
So this year, if I walk into my birthday wearing a simple cotton or linen outfit instead of the latest trending dress, I’m completely okay with that.
Because birthdays aren’t just about adding another candle to the cake.They’re about becoming a little wiser than we were last year.
For me, that wisdom looks like reading labels, making mindful choices, and remembering that the body carrying me through this beautiful life deserves just as much attention as the clothes covering it.The compliments I receive at a party will last for a few minutes.The choices I make for my health will stay with me for years.
And if there’s one birthday wish I’m making this year, it’s this:
May we all spend a little less time chasing labels… and a little more time taking care of the person wearing them.
May we care a little more about what our clothes are truly made of, a little less about the labels they carry, and a lot more about the person wearing them. Because confidence, comfort, and kindness will always be in style.
This blog post is part of ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’ hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla in collaboration with Mister Tikku.
You have raised a good point. Polyester and Nylon are cheaper and last longer but are not at all skin-friendly. Simple cotton comes at a premium. Maintaining cotton is also a task. Polyester dresses go into the washing machine easily, but cotton is mostly hand-washed. People are hard up for time these days. But I need my clothes to let me breathe. Now we have so many garments made of bamboo as well.
well put. I started wearing cotton at the age of 27, that’s almost half my life. I do possess a couple of man-made fibre tops which I use for travel. They are also over 10 years old, so for places with less water and cold weather and ironing issues, I carry them along and then keep them back again. Which means they are rarely used every year. And I am going to keep them as long as they fit, which means no wastage and adding on to fashion garbage.
I have noticed across the year there are very few times that I shop or I only shop when I genuinely need something, because it has become difficult to choose the right clothing for yourself, and I find it so difficult to have that stress. And ofcourse I keep in mind the environment too kind of middle class mentality oo we are saving money as well as environment. So, yes not choosing polyster just for the sake of style, comfort matters too.
I’m tired of seeing polyester and nylon being used everywhere. I have a habit of reading labels, and I mostly buy online, but sometimes the fabric details are incomplete, which is where brands lack transparency with consumers. This post is quite an insight for someone who doesn’t read labels.
This explains a question so many shoppers have. Such a helpful breakdown of why price doesn’t always reflect fabric quality. Really eye-opening article and I’ll be checking clothing labels more carefully now
I think it has got to do with factory spun and long lasting . In my younger experience, clothes used to tear. Not any more. They don’t fade nor tear. Not natural anymore, sadly. Good topic to write on. Makes one think
Okay this made me pause mid-scroll. That line about wanting to look good in medical reports instead of party photographs, that’s such a simple shift but it says so much. I honestly never used to check fabric labels either, I’d just grab whatever looked nice on the hanger. Reading about your health journey nudging you toward that awareness really puts it in perspective, it’s wild how something like a surgery can completely change what “looking good” even means to you. And you’re so right about how hard it’s become to find natural fabrics even in the premium section, like we’re paying more for less breathable stuff somehow. Definitely going to start flipping the tag before the price sticker from now on.
Can’t agree more. I too have become aware of the composition of a particular dress I’m buying, and I don’t care what people think. Looking good may be needed but not at the expense of wearing what is not good for my body. I now take time for self-love more than before, and like you, that has come after months of being ill. A very useful post.
Exactly my thoughts. Everything is too costly and definitely not worth paying for.
Absolutely agree with you. I am not a fan of polyester clothes too, and I can’t stand it on my body. I would love a good breathable cotton or linen cloth, any day- be it my birthday or as everyday wear. I noticed you mentioned surgery? Hope you are better now. Sending you healing vibes!
I too have seen this trend, and it’s alarming how people are embracing these materials, without giving thought to how it affects them or the environment. Cottons and natural fabrics have become more difficult to find, but thankfully, we still have fabric shops and tailors.
Dpending on need, I buy natural or man made material. Cotton is great for summers – a bit difficult to maintain. For office shirts I prefer material that does not crease much.
You’ve spoken about an important topic from a different perspective. I never thought about health wrt our clothing choices but it does make sense. As a Mumbaikar cotton is my favourite for comfort. Polyester isn’t suitable for everyone and sometimes causes rash too. I limit it to my workout sessions.
I check labels now too. Cotton feels different on the skin. Polyester dresses always leave me sweaty. Your line about medical reports stuck with me. Health over trends makes sense at every age. Simple choices, lasting results.
I just cant agree more with the line ” The goal isn’t to look good in party photographs anymore. The goal is to look good in medical reports.” I strongly believe in this. You will find me very casually dressed in comfortable breathable dresses always… I dont want to look stylish rather less stylish but healthy. Life taught us so many things… Hope you are doing well now Anjali. Much love