Summers are fast approaching, so it’s time to hit the beachside or plan a fun poolside weekend. So what are you waiting for? Take out your sun hats, kaftans, sarongs, sunglasses, cute flip flops, buy new womens swimwear, and get ready. When buying a swimsuit, make sure it is comfortable, fashionable, and functional. Everyone wants their bathing suit to look good; however, having one that looks good will not help you retain your dignity at the beach.
Your swimwear has to be made of durable, stretchable, UV Resistant and water-resilient fabric. It should be quick-drying, stretchable, and colourfast. Not just that, your swimwear needs to work harder for its place in your closets than any other piece of clothing because it needs to provide you with the desired support, control, and strength to stand up to the sun, water, and chlorine. This is why swimwear fabrics are a hot topic in the fashion industry. Here are different types of swimwear fabrics that are available in the market. Continue reading!
Different types of swimsuit fabrics
Natural fibres
Natural swimwear fabrics include cotton and wool. These were used in the 1950s-1960s or earlier, before the invention of elastane (which offers stretchability to the fabrics). But since they dry slowly and hold a great deal of water, these are less practical options. Over that, cotton and wool fibres get heavy when wet, making them unsuitable as a swimsuit fabric.
Polyester blends
Today, most bathing suits you will find are made of polyester only. However, the percentage of blends, softness of the material, and knit density may differ from brand to brand. Polyester swimwear fabrics are blended with spandex (or lycra) to offer the highest level of durability. It is a very soft yet durable fabric with chlorine and UV resistance capabilities. Moreover, polyester blended fabrics can absorb the dye, thus printing it with rich, vibrant colours and bold prints.
Lycra
Lycra, also known as spandex, is a fabric that offers a remarkable stretchability to swimwear. Lycra makes up swimwear offering excellent control, stretchability, and durability compared to its nylon and polyester counterparts. However, typical Lycra fabric is blended with other materials to enhance flexibility. The more the spandex content in your swimsuit’s fabric, the more comfortable and body-hugging it will be.
Nylon blends
Nylon is the favourite choice for swimwear fabric. For a valid reason! Nylon is a soft and comfortable fabric that gives a good stretch and snugs your body superbly. Just like polyester, nylon is a blend of about 80% nylon and 20% of lycra or spandex, though you can also find swimsuits made of nylon alone. It is a quick-drying fabric, repels water, is durable, and, most importantly, is easy to care for. But nylon cannot be printed; the results are blurry if done.
Which is the best fabric for swimwear?
Well, the answer to this is a bit tricky. The best womens swimwear fabric will be the one that best caters to your needs and supports your body. If you are looking for a swimsuit, remember not to get tempted to buy cheap fabric; you will get what you will pay for. In general, polyester is the most dominating fabric in the swimwear industry. It is a widely used fabric for crafting swimsuits for men and women alike. Not just for its usability and durability, it is believed that the environmental impact of polyester is lesser and controllable compared to nylon. Moreover, if you are eco-conscious, eco-friendly swimsuit options are available in the market; you can check them out also.
