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The best material or fabric for swimsuits is a hot debate within the fashion community. However, there aren't many choices available to choose from. Generally, swimwear materials need to be quick-drying, colorfast and possess a certain degree of stretch.
If you're considering fabrics for your swimsuit collection or your next purchase, it's important to understand and learn about all the available options.
This blog post will cover the top fabric materials and textures suited for swimwear, along with their characteristics and uses.
Let’s dive in!
Popular Fabric Textures for Swimwear
Before exploring the best swimsuit fabric options, let's briefly discuss the ideal textures that offer optimal functionality and comfort.
Below are several well-known and highly favored fabric types for swimwear suits.
Meshed
These materials showcase a grid-like design with small, breathable weaves, often used as accents in a design rather than as standalone components, as mesh fabrics tend to be quite sheer. Mesh details or panels can create a bold contrast with solid or patterned fabrics, lending a contemporary look.
Ribbed
This type of fabric features raised ridges throughout, resulting in a striped appearance that adds extra depth to your swimwear suit. Whether utilized as an accent or as the primary feature, these ribbed textures can help differentiate your swimwear collection.
Plain
This is the most frequently encountered texture; as the saying goes, simplicity is often the best, and this holds true in this context. Carvico Vita or Repreve Hawaii are popular plain swimwear material options due to their quality, durability, and eco-friendly aspects.
Shiny
This texture displays a glossy, reflective surface, like silk fabric, typically used to create more luxurious finishes on swimwear suits. However, eco-friendly or recycled variants that are soft can be challenging to find.
Ruched
Ruched fabric is similar to ribbed fabric; the distinction lies in the fact that ruched includes small, gathered pleats or folds, instead of the striped appearance, also resulting in a textured surface that enhances dimension and detail in your swimwear designs.
Top Fabrics for Swimwear Collection
Polyester
Polyester is the most preferred swimwear fabric. It is known for its exceptionally soft fabric and remarkable durability, making it one of the most popular materials in the entire clothing industry.
Polyester when blended with spandex or elastane, offers the highest level of durability and elasticity. When it comes to the knit's density and softness, they vary for each polyester blend. Also, the quality differences are largely based on the filament quality used to make the fabric.
Consequently, polyester can exhibit a wide range of appearances and textures. A thick filament (similar to a thread) will yield a coarser fabric, while a thin, smooth filament will create a silky feel. It is advisable to touch and stretch the fabric yourself before finalizing your choice.
Furthermore, its fast-drying characteristics and long-lasting nature make it an excellent choice for swimwear, especially for competitive swimming.
Key Characteristics of Polyester Swimwear Fabric
Durability: Polyester is an extremely resilient fiber that maintains its shape both in and out of water. It is resistant to pilling, which is a common problem in surf swimwear due to constant contact with the surfboard.
Color Stability: Polyester retains colors exceptionally well, whether in dyed or printed forms.
Affordability: It ranks as one of the more cost-effective fabrics for swimwear available on the market.
Appearance &Texture: Polyester often gets criticized for its perceived "roughness" regarding texture. However, modern polyester fabrics have significantly improved and have become quite soft, although they may not be as soft as nylon.
Fabric Printing: Polyester can be printed through the sublimation technique, resulting in colors that are bright, saturated, clear, and permanent. Sublimation dyes and equipment are specifically designed for polyester applications.
2. Nylon
Also known as Polyamide, nylon is a fabric that dries quickly and is safe for water use. Typically found in stylish swimwear, it is incredibly comfortable and flattering to wear. The texture of nylon appears attractive and has a slightly shiny finish.
For bathing and swimwear suits, various nylon blends are used (the most common nylon blend is 80% nylon and 20% of the stretchy component). Oftentimes, nylon is blended with LYCRA, spandex (SP), or elastane (EA).
The purpose of this 20% blend is to offer excellent elasticity to swimsuits and bikinis. When mixed with elastane, the suit appears more form-fitted, which can help showcase body shape.
Key Characteristics of Nylon Swimwear Fabric
Durability: Nylon is a strong fiber in terms of tensile strength, making it an adequate swimsuit fabric. However, it is more susceptible to degradation from UV (sunlight) exposure and is prone to pilling compared to polyester.
Color Stability: It does not retain color as effectively as polyester.
Affordability: The price range for nylon can vary significantly, but it is generally slightly more expensive than polyester.
Appearance &Texture: Nylon has a pleasant, soft feel, which is the main reason for its popularity, along with the variety of available sheens.
Fabric Printing: Nylon fibers can’t retain prints as they lack colorfastness, tend to wash out quickly, and produce poor definition with vector graphics.
Polybutylene Terephthalate or PBT
Polybutylene Terephthalate, commonly known as PBT, is a type of synthetic yarn fiber that exhibits regular stretch and recovery. It is a member of the polyester fabric family.
While it might not be as elastic as other polyester varieties, its surface is firmer and has a light, smooth texture.
With its matte or dull finish, this material glides through the water, making it excellent for competitive athletic wear.
Key Characteristics of PBT Swimwear Fabric
Durability: PBT fabric, being made from synthetic fibers, also provides excellent durability for swimwear.
Color Stability: It demonstrates good colorfastness properties in both dyes and prints.
Affordability: It is typically a more affordable option for swimwear fabric compared to nylon and polyester.
Appearance & Texture: The fabric is very lightweight and feels soft against the skin, often presenting a matte finish depending on the specific fibers used.
Fabric Printing: PBT is well-suited for creating 3D digital prints on swimsuits due to its stiffness and resistance to chemicals and heat.
Summing It Up
Choosing the right fabrics is significant for a successful swimwear collection. From the versatility of polyester to the luxurious feel of nylon and the athletic edge of PBT, each material offers unique benefits tailored to different design goals and functionality.
By understanding the characteristics and applications of these fabrics, you can create a collection that balances style, comfort, and durability.
FAQs
What is the best bathing suit material?
Polyester and polyester blends are the most preferred options for bathing and swimwear suits. Polyester is known for its high durability, UV resistance, and ease of care.
What swimsuit material lasts the longest?
Polyester fabric offers the best durability, retaining its shape and color longer than other swimsuit materials. Whether used alone or blended with other fabrics, polyester stands out for its longevity.
Are nylon and polyester eco-friendly?
Both nylon and polyester are made from synthetic fibers and are non-degradable, which means they are not eco-friendly or considered sustainable fabric options.
What is the difference between Lycra, Spandex, and Elastane?
Lycra, Spandex, and Elastane are essentially the same materials known by different names. Lycra is a brand name owned by the DuPont company, while Spandex and Elastane are generic terms. All of these materials perform similarly, and you won't notice any performance differences in swimwear made from them.
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