While fine silk gazar and doubleface cashmere are standard bearers for luxurious clothing, many designers are finding that polyester, nylon, neoprene, polyamide and other synthetic materials allow them to be more daring and versatile.

WSJ: Polyester Is Back in Style at Alexander Wang, Talbot Runhof, Akris

Cotton clothing also requires more energy to maintain than polyester, since the synthetic fabric can be washed at a lower temperature, can hang to dry and doesn't need ironing.

FORBES: Paper Or Plastic?