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Answers to Common Swimwear Questions
Still confused? Below is a mini glossary of common swimwear fabrics: Nylon: Nylon was developed in 1938 by DuPont as the first completely synthetic fiber. The material offer resilience, abrasion resistance and high flexibility. It's often added to natural fibers to boost a garment's durability. Cotton: Cotton suits are softer and comfier than nylon but rarely form fitting. They lose shape, shrink and bleed and fade colors. Supplex: Supplex is another DuPont invention which offers the plush touch of cotton with the strength, durability and performance of nylon – but softer. Plus, it won’t wrinkle, shrink or fade.
Question 1: Lycra, Spandex, nylon, Supplex – what’s the difference and why should I care?care?
Here’s why: each offers a unique fit and function. First, decide if you are wearing a suit to sunbathe or swim. If it’s the former, choose a soft, lightweight fabric like cotton or Supplex. If it’s the latter, choose a suit with higher Lycra (spandex) content.
Lycra/Spandex: Lycra/spandex won’t ride up or slip off while you swim or ride the waves. A bonus: The higher the spandex content, the greater the slimming ability. But, keep in mind spandex fibers break down easily with exposure to chemicals in swimming pools, hot tubs and even sunscreen.
Tricot: Tricot (nylon-spandex) is generally constructed from four-way stretch fabric, meaning your suit moves with you.
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