Microfiber?

[tonyb]

Some time back I bought a pair of pleated pants at my favorite thrift shop. They fit great -- just right now, thanks to my ongoing weight loss. Don't recall what I paid, but it couldn't have been more than five bucks.

I'm fairly confident they aren't a particularly good quality garment, not that I know much about such things. They carry the Levi's Slates brand name and are made of something called microfiber, and I take those as signs of cheapness. But man, they sure do drape nicely and are super easy to care for. Toss 'em in the washer and dryer. Neaten 'em up a bit on the trousers press every now and then.

Are they likely to wear out quickly? Develop pills or shininess?

 

[Tomasso]

My only experience with microfiber has been with sportswear (for skiing, cycling, tennis, running, etc..) and while most have performed well, some just turned to crap (pilling and fading) in short order. And some of the better brands (Patagonia and Bogner in particular) performed the worst. Mind you, the same could be said about even the best English and Italian woolen mills.

 

[Mike K.]

Microfiber is nothing more than polyester (sometimes nylon)...just with an "updated" catchy-sounding name. The individual fibers are thinner and can be woven into a much finer textile. The end result is a very light garment the drapes nicely and dries quickly. Microfiber is my fabric of choice for boardshorts/swim trunks. It is also quite effective for windbreakers because of the super fine weave. I would forewarn everyone that microfiber gets hot and does not breathe very well.

But the bottom line is still Microfiber = Polyester.

 

[Not-Bogart13]

I would say it depends on the source, as with most things. With you're find, it probably doesn't matter, but I would stick with brands that have a good rep.

The main upside I have found is that it repels stains and spills very well. I've worn microfiber pants in June and didn't really find them to be warmer than most of the cotton chinos I favor. They get a little clingy in the humidity, though.

 

[Guttersnipe]

Friends don't let freinds wear polyester...

Microfiber is just polyester living under an assumed name...don't be fooled.

While microfiber clothing may seem light and airy due to the fabrics fine weave, they still suffers from all the draw backs of any other polyester garment - namely they make you sweat like a snowman in Hawaii!