At Swingmor, we believe that what you wear should never cost the Earth. That’s why every decision we make—from fabric choice to fit—is about creating more time, freedom, and purpose for you, and less waste, pollution, and harm for the planet. In this blog, we’re pulling back the curtain on two very different fabric stories: polyester and Tencel. Both start as raw materials. But only one ends as ethical golf clothing you can truly love forever.
The Origin Story of Polyester: Made to Last… Too Long
Let’s begin with polyester. Not many people stop to think about where it comes from, but once you know, it’s hard to ignore.
The journey starts underground. Holes are drilled deep into the earth’s surface to extract crude oil—a non-renewable fossil fuel. Accidents happen. Oil spills damage ecosystems. Carbon is released. From here, the oil is transported and refined under extreme temperatures and pressure. It’s cracked into components—some of which go on to make plastic bottles, and yes, the same plastic that becomes polyester fibre.
Polyester fabric seems impressive. It’s strong, cheap, and can be woven into sportswear that’s highly durable. But that durability is a double-edged sword. Once discarded, those synthetic fibres don’t go away. They persist in landfill for hundreds of years—long after your favourite polo shirt has lost its shape, absorbed body odour, and turned a dingy shade of grey.
And that’s the crux of the problem. Polyester’s strength lies in its extreme permanence. But in the context of fashion—where garments are washed, worn, and discarded—extreme permanence becomes pollution.
Walking a Softer Path: The Tencel Alternative
Now, let’s take a different path—one that doesn’t begin with fossil fuels, but with nature itself.
Tencel begins its life in sustainably managed eucalyptus forests in Austria. These trees grow quickly without the need for pesticides or excessive water. Once harvested, the wood is processed using a closed-loop system that turns it into a soft, versatile fibre. Non-toxic solvents are used and then recovered and reused—nothing is wasted.
Much like polyester, Tencel fibres are extruded through precise nozzles to form long, smooth strands that are then spun into fabric. But that’s where the similarity ends. Tencel is naturally durable, breathable, moisture-wicking, and odour-resistant—offering all the performance of synthetic sportswear, with none of the plastic aftertaste.
Why we use Tencel
At Swingmor, we don’t mix our messages or materials. Every single garment we make is crafted from Tencel. Why? Because we believe in building clothing that enhances your lifestyle and protects your values.
Our Tencel stretch fabrics are the gold standard in sustainable golf fashion. They’re soft, breathable, and made for movement. Whether you’re heading to the course, the office, or a weekend away, they’re ready when you are—comfortable enough for all-day wear and fresh enough to avoid the dreaded “locker room” smell.
Plus, our unique designs include:
- Smart seams that flatter the body and give freedom to move;
- 3-way true fit sizing to suit every shape, not just standard sizes;
- Stay Smart Features that hold their shape.
And when you’re done with a piece? We buy it back. Every Swingmor garment is part of a circular lifecycle. Whether it’s reused, repurposed, or recycled, we keep it out of landfill and in circulation—delivering more value to our community and less harm to the planet.
Golf Clothing With a Clear Conscience
We know that many of our customers don’t have time to analyse every label or scrutinise supply chains. That’s our job. And we take it seriously.
By choosing Swingmor, you’re choosing:
- Ethical golf clothing made from low-resource, renewable materials, made in the UK;
- Sustainable golf gifts that truly reflect your values;
- Responsible golf fashion that performs beautifully, feels luxurious, and leaves no lasting harm.
Final Thought: Clothing Worth Caring About
Polyester is made to last forever. At Swingmor, we prefer to build clothes that are made to be loved forever - worn more often, cherished longer, and respected for what they represent.
We are ethical. We are functional luxury. We are purpose-led.
We are Built for Golf. Designed for Life.
We are Swingmor.
🔗 Curious to learn more about how our fabrics support performance and planet? Check out these related blogs:
FAQs
Q: Why is Tencel better for the environment than polyester?
A: Tencel is made from renewable wood sources in a closed-loop process that reuses water and solvents. Polyester is derived from oil and persists in landfill for hundreds of years.
Q: Does Tencel perform as well as polyester?
A: Yes. It is durable, easy to care for, and moisture-wicking—but also offers superior softness, breathability, and odour resistance.
Q: What happens when I’m done with my Swingmor garment?
A: Send it back. We will give you 12.5% of the RRP in store credit and we’ll reuse, repurpose, or recycle it through our guaranteed buyback program—helping to close the loop on golf fashion.
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