Stilva · Read the tag
Your gym shirt is plastic.
Polyester, nylon, spandex — that's plastic spun into thread. Here's what it's doing to your comfort, your smell, and the planet, and the simple swap that fixes it.
The Problem
"Performance" fabric is just plastic with a marketing budget.
Most activewear is made from polyester — a synthetic plastic (PET), the same family of material as a drink bottle. It's cheap, it's everywhere, and it behaves exactly like you'd expect plastic against your skin to behave.
- ✕It traps, it doesn't breathe. Synthetic fibres don't absorb sweat the way cotton does — moisture sits on the surface and against your skin.
- ✕The smell won't wash out. Odour-causing bacteria cling to polyester far more than to natural fibres — that's why your gym tee still smells after two washes.
- ✕It sheds microplastics. Every wash releases thousands of tiny plastic fibres into the water — and they don't break down.
- ✕It feels like it costs. Thin, slick, and static-y. Cheap to make, cheap to wear.
Side by side
Plastic vs. the real thing.
Polyester Plastic
- Traps sweat against the skin
- Holds onto odour wash after wash
- Sheds microplastics every cycle
- Thin, slick, static-prone feel
- Won't biodegrade
Stilva Cotton Natural
- Breathes and absorbs moisture
- Washes clean, stays fresh
- No plastic, no microplastic shedding
- Heavyweight 250gsm, soft & structured
- A natural, plant-based fibre
The Fix
100% cotton. Zero plastic.
Feel the difference.
Every Stilva tee is heavyweight 250gsm cotton — snow-washed for a worn-in feel, cut oversized, and built to last. No plastic, no microplastics, no funk. Just fabric the way it should be.
Premium oversized tees from $55 AUD · International shipping
Limited offer
Buy 1, get 1 50% off
Add any two tees and get the second one 50% off. Automatically applied at checkout.
Claim the dealQuestions, answered.
Is polyester actually that bad?
It's not poison — but it is plastic. Polyester is a synthetic fibre (PET) that doesn't breathe or absorb moisture well, holds onto odour-causing bacteria, and sheds microplastics in the wash. For something sitting against your skin while you sweat, a natural fibre simply performs and feels better.
Why cotton instead?
Cotton is a natural, plant-based fibre that breathes, absorbs sweat, and washes clean instead of trapping smell. Ours is heavyweight 250gsm — so it's soft and worn-in but still has real structure and weight, not the thin, slick feel of cheap synthetics.
What does "snow washed" mean?
It's a garment wash that gives each tee a soft, broken-in, vintage feel straight out of the bag — no stiff "brand new" texture. It also gives the colour that subtle faded depth you can see in the photos.
How does it fit?
Oversized, with a drop shoulder — designed to sit loose and relaxed. If you prefer a closer fit, size down one. The size chart on each product page has exact measurements in cm and inches.
Will it shrink or lose shape?
It's pre-washed, so shrinkage is minimal. Wash cold, inside out, and hang or lay flat to dry to keep the print sharp and the fit consistent. At 250gsm it holds its shape far better than a lightweight tee.
Where do you ship and how much is it?
We ship internationally. Tees start at $55 AUD, and right now it's buy one, get one 50% off. Full shipping options and times are shown at checkout.