Cost Conscious Collection Dress from H&M made with recycled polyester is the perfect little black dress for the office holiday party. The plastic polyester blend fabric drapes without hugging, leaving you with subtle curves and a smooth silhouette.

Leonora Type Z plastic faux patent leather heels add color and personality to your little black dress. Choosing a simple, classic dress allows you to go bolder with shoes or accessories.  Depending on your office culture, think about throwing in some fun colored faux patent leather plastic pumps or a shimmery clutch.

A Red Studded Bangle Concrete Jungle from Marc by Marc Jacobs, is lightweight, colorful, and gives your outfit a pop of color! The addition of a fun plastic bangle creates a cohesive look from top to bottom and won’t feel like a heavy weight on your wrist!

Jones New York’s Wrap Satin Pashmina is a blend of plastic rayon viscose that is soft to the touch, but heavy enough to keep you warm on the walk from the house to the car and into the party. The classic wrap can be worn as a scarf, shawl, or wrap and can accompany you to formal or casual events.

Faux Fur

Faux fur is an animal-friendly approach to fashion made from acrylic plastic fibers that mimic the look and feel of natural fur. It used to be that faux fur was not as attractive or as warm as animal fur; however, due to technological advancements over the past half century, faux fur now can be nearly indistinguishable from natural fur and just as warm.

Faux fur is also much easier to take care of than natural fur. Because it’s made from plastics, it is impervious to insect attack and doesn’t require special storage. In addition, while natural fur typically is dry cleaned, faux fur often can be hand washed, which is more convenient and much less expensive.

And from a style standpoint, you can’t beat faux fur for versatility. Faux fur gives clothing designers nearly unlimited options, since it can be dyed colors that don’t exist in nature and given unique textures and patterns. And best of all, at just a small fraction of the cost of natural fur, faux fur fashion doesn’t require a major investment.

Faux Leather

Faux leather made from polyurethane plastic has the look and feel of natural leather and can be used in almost all the same ways. In fact, faux leather is often preferable to natural leather, not only because it’s animal-friendly but also because it costs much less, making it is an economical choice.

Faux leather is durable and is resistant to warping and cracking.  It is also low-maintenance: just wipe it clean with a damp cloth. In addition, faux leather retains its color for many years, unlike natural leather that can fade.

The versatility of plastics means that faux leather can be created in a wide range of colors and textures, even embossed with crocodile or snakeskin patterns. And faux leather is an especially good option for DIY projects, since it’s easier to cut and sew than natural leather.

Faux Suede

Faux suede is an animal-friendly material made from polyester microfiber that’s woven into a thin, soft, but very tough plastic fabric. The plastic materials are more durable than natural suede, which is made from the delicate underside of an animal’s skin and often can tear.

Faux suede mimics the look and feel of natural suede, but the plastics are much less susceptible to water damage and can be easily cleaned. Because of its stain-repellant qualities, faux suede is especially suitable for clothing items prone to stains, such as shoes, jackets, and handbags. Faux suede also is significantly less expensive, so it’s a great money saving option.

Create your own signature winter look with faux fur, leather and suede on our Facebook page, and check out Plastic In Fashion Through the Decades to learn more about the numerous ways innovations in plastics have driven style and function for nearly a century.

Items made with polyester fabric are versatile, durable, and wrinkle-resistant. This is because polyester fibers are specially engineered to retain their shape and stay smooth, even after being folded in a suitcase. Pieces such as day-to-night sleeveless tops and pants in basic colors are incredibly versatile.  These staples can be dressed up or down with just a few accessories (often made with lightweight plastics), creating whole new looks without the extra luggage.

Bringing the perfect shoes is always a challenging part of packing because they take up so much space in a suitcase and can be heavy. A pair of boots can complement nearly any outfit combination and is appropriate for both day and night activities. Knee-high faux-leather boots are not only lightweight for packing but they are also comfortable for an all-day walk-about—and they can transition seamlessly into sophisticated eveningwear with only a few minor outfit adjustments.

A classic piece that works for almost any occasion is a stylish blazer with a bit of spandex for comfort and stretch. This plastic fabric also helps the blazer keep its fitted form, making it look as if it were made-to-measure. This day-to-night style is wrinkle-resistant, goes with jeans, skirts or dress pants, and is perfect for a night on the town, dinner with friends, or shopping.

Jeans also are heavy and can take up space in a suitcase, so it’s a good idea to choose just one great pair for a trip. Skinny jeans in a dark wash go with nearly everything and can be worn with flats during the day and patent leather (plastic) heels at night. The stretchy spandex in most skinny jeans helps ensure a flattering fit that will retain its shape throughout the entire trip.

A scarf is a great way to change a look instantly. A rayon or rayon blend scarf with a distinctive print—or embellished with plastic sequins—is the ideal accessory since it can be paired with fancy or casual outfits and also provide a bit of warmth on a chilly day or night. What’s more, it’s lightweight and takes up very little space in a suitcase.

So many of our go-to fashion staples are made possible by plastics, making it easier to choose a few great pieces that will look chic, fresh, and fashionable—even on the go. These plastic fabrics and materials help make packing for that upcoming trip a bit less daunting.

For more articles and videos with fashion tips, click here.

Theory’s Belisa Crave Slim Pants are the perfect go-to bottoms for work. Polyester, elastic and viscose blend with wool to create a perfect fit, without being too tight. Pair the pants with anything from a simple blouse to a casual tank for the more laid-back offices.

BCBG Max Azria’s silk and polyester top offers the perfect amount of sophistication and fun for an office look.

Steve Madden’s Penelope heels add just the right amount of shine and class – made with a plastic sole – to any work ensemble, whether you choose to pair them with pants or a skirt.

Sanctuary’s Rockin’ Natalie Faux Fur Vest definitely turns your outfit into a work statement. If you are searching for something to add some drama to your work attire, this faux fur vest will do just that!  And because it is made with plastic, it won’t be ruined if you’re caught in the rain.

Longchamp’s Le Pliage Large Nylon Tote is a perfect go-to tote to help carry all your essentials to and from the office. Give your shoulders a rest and look chic with this lightweight nylon plastic tote.

Learn how plastics can take you from day to night here.

Innovative and exciting fashions for next season covered the runways.

• Body-conscious dressing—Designers such as Donna Karan and Herve Leger featured slinky dresses that molded to models’ bodies. Stretchy fabrics made with spandex (plastic) fibers were an integral part of these designers’ runway collections.
• Obscure fabrics—Alexander Wang’s mesh clothing, Rodarte’s “metallic” look and Olivier Theyskens’ reflective, almost wet-looking designs are the result of innovations in plastic fabrics that create fabulous possibilities for designers.
• Sheer layers—White dresses, tanks and skirts were on virtually every designer’s runways. The sheer, delicate, feather-light polyester and rayon (plastics!) fabrics gave models—such as those for Narciso Rodriguez and Oscar de la Renta—an angelic air as they glided up and down the runway.

For more information on what Plastics Make it Possible^® saw at New York Fashion Week, please check out our Twitter handle: @plasticpossible.

You can also check out our top 2011 Fall Fashion picks and let us know which is on your “must have” list this season. Take our poll here.

K-Swiss Sexy Bra is combined nylon and spandex to create support while you’re hitting the trail or striking your best down-dog pose. This fully lined fitness bra is durable and water-resistant because of its plastic fabric.

The North Face Women’s Better than Naked^TM Singlet has a spandex and polyester plastic blend that will help keep its shape while you work on yours!

Under Armour Women’s UA Shatter Compression Capri has 4-way stretch mobility that offers comfort and accelerated dry-time thanks to the nylon and polyester plastic fabric that makes these capris possible.

Women’s Road Runner Sports DRYROAD Neon No Show Tab Socks will not only brighten your day, but the moisture-wicking acrylic plastic fabric will keep your feet dry.

Asics® GEL-Blur33^TM has plastic-blend mesh that helps your feet breathe, and their lightweight base allows for flexibility and comfort all workout long.

However, some people are raising concerns over the source of these feathers: roosters that are specially bred to grow these feathers. Until recently, these feathers had been primarily used to create fly-fishing lures. The new hair extension fashion trend has increased demand for these feathers, according to news reports — along with questions about the health, safety and longevity of these roosters.

Thanks to plastics, there’s an alternative. Feathers made with plastic fibers that look like rooster feathers are becoming increasingly available on the Internet and in salons. These plastic feathers look and feel like the real thing, last up to three months, and can be washed and styled along with your hair. And they’re affordable compared to rooster feathers that can sell for hundreds of dollars each.

10. Sequins and Beading: By adding sparkle to outfits with bright, sassy plastic sequins and beading, fashionistas were able to bring bling to day or night looks.

9. The Itsy-Bitsy, Teeny-Weeny Plastic Bikini: Loud prints and bright colors covered bikinis this year and showed off plastics’ (nylon, spandex, etc.) wild and crazy side.

8. Lucite: Cinderella’s glass slipper had nothing on Lucite! Crystal clear, acrylic (plastic) used in footwear and accessories dominated 2010.

7. Sweat-Wicking Work-Out Gear: Staying trim and fit became ever so fashionable with work out gear made from Lycra, Spandex and other plastic fibers that actually wick away sweat while keeping you cool.

6. Jellies: Making their comeback, creative new plastic “jelly” sandals added a pop of color and hint of summer to wardrobes across the nation.

5. Faux Fur:  Trendy and animal friendly, plastic faux fur fibers let you walk on the wild side and stay toasty warm.

4. Rain Gear: Men and women could jump in puddles and sing in the rain because they were equipped with plastic waterproof gear that kept them dry and fashionable.

3. Alexander McQueen’s Outrageously Fabulous Claw Shoe: The late designer never failed to push boundaries of design and innovation. His claw shoes of 2010 were an epic addition to his legacy — made possible by plastics.

2. Patent Leather: From Hollywood to Houston, today’s patent leather purses, belts, and shoes reigned, protected by a plastic coating to help keep their shine.

1. Jeggings/Leggings: Comfy and stylish jeggings swept the fashion world by storm. Comprised mostly of nylon and spandex (plastics), there was no more talked-about bottom for 2010!