Recycled versus virgin polyester sportswear – can a difference be perceived in actual use?

The present study investigated preferences and perceived differences between virgin and recycled polyester sports t-shirts, while monitoring participants’ use and care behaviour during real-life wear. A two-month-long wear trial was conducted with 244 participants who were asked to report their t-shirt preferences, perceived differences between t-shirts, as well as their t-shirt use and care via an online survey. T-shirts with nearly identical textile parameters were used for the trial made from virgin polyester, mechanically recycled polyester, and mechanically recycled polyester containing ocean plastics. The responses to the wear trial questionnaires showed that participants struggled to perceive a difference between the different types of polyester t-shirts, and none of the t-shirt materials was significantly preferred over another. The study gives insights into the participants’ care and use habits of sports t-shirts.