Clothing & fashion

Worn against skin all day; blends shed synthetic fibres.

Fleece and acrylic shed heavily; wool and cotton do not.

Often brushed synthetic, which sheds most in early washes.

Shells and membranes are almost always synthetic.

Worn against skin daily and washed frequently.

Stretch denim carries elastane through every wash.

Direct skin contact with high wash frequency.

Linings are commonly polyester even when the shell is not.

Linings and waistbands are the usual synthetic component.

Against the most permeable skin, all day, washed constantly.

Against skin for roughly a third of every day.

Leather and rubber versus synthetic uppers and soles.

Bare skin against the footbed for the whole wear.

Worn barefoot indoors for hours every day.

Leather-soled construction versus glued synthetics.

Worn against scalp and forehead, often in sun and sweat.

Real leather versus coated synthetics that flake with age.

Worn against the neck and face; acrylic sheds heavily.

Against the skin of the hands, abraded constantly.

Handled every day for years; coatings wear through.

Synthetic against sweating skin, washed after every use.

Almost entirely synthetic, and washed very frequently.

Stretch fabrics need elastane; content varies widely.

Worn wet against skin and abraded by chlorine and salt.

Membranes and DWR finishes are the usual concern.