Polyester as a Put-Down: Gen Z’s Code for Inauthentic Online Content

Gen Z has adopted 'polyester' as a label for content or fashion they view as generic or low-quality, a shift from the fabric’s negative associations to high-quality options. The term spread from fashion criticism to meme edits and parodies on TikTok and X (including ‘Polyester edits’ and merch jokes), signaling a broader concern with authenticity and not wanting to appear “try-hard” in the influencer era. Experts say this reflects Gen Z’s appetite for realness amid highly curated online personas.