Are you ready to wear wool on the tennis court? Venus Williams wore a wool tennis kit designed for her by the New York-based fashion brand Luar at the 2025 US Open on 21 August. The black quintessential pleated mini skirt and fitted, sleeveless bodice are made of merino wool.
Before the 80s, activewear was made from natural fibres – some of us even remember crisp cotton cricket trousers and wool rugby jerseys from our school days – now most of it is made from polyester and other high-performing synthetics. With increasing awareness about the health and environmental harms of fossil-fuel-based fibres, many brands are going back to using natural fibres.
What is the problem with synthetic activewear?
- Most synthetic fabrics are made of fossil-fuel-derived resources
- Synthetic fibres create a bad odour
- Washing is the most common odour-management technique
- We wash activewear regularly – most often just after a single use
What’s wrong with washing activewear?
- Needless washing contributes to overconsumption of water and energy
- Washing releases pollutants in water, such as detergents
- Washing clothes releases microfibers into wastewater
- Up to 35% of microplastics in the marine environment are from synthetic clothing
- Microplastics are suspected to harm reproductive, digestive and respiratory health, and are linked to colon and lung cancer
How bad body odour is created
During sport, the body releases sweat. While sweat is generally odourless, when it interacts with bacteria on the skin’s surface, it produces odours.
In a well-ventilated and dry environment, the moisture in sweat evaporates and does not cause any odour. If the sweat remains on human skin for a long time, bacteria will grow on skin and textiles, causing odours.
Fibre type and odour
Fibre type plays an important role in malodour development and retention:
- Some natural fibres, such as wool and cotton, have inherent odour-reduction capability
- Polyester is hydrophobic and does not absorb moisture; hence, sweat accumulates on the skin and clothing creates microclimates and promotes bacterial growth
- Polyester fabrics emit more potent odour compared to cotton and wool
“We will continue our commitment to wool because we see its strengths: tech, versatility and legacy. It’s why Venus [Williams] chose wool for her US Open kit – the fibre’s natural performance qualities make it ideal for athletes, while its elegance translates seamlessly into fashion.” – Raul Lopez, founder and creative director of LUAR
Sources
Textile Exchange
The Woolmark Company
Credit
- Feature image from Salomon featuring its new Pulsar PRG Knit sneaker that incorporates Merino wool in its upper.
- Read more of our Explainers here
