The Story of LYCRA® and Spandex Clothing

LYCRA® is a registered trade mark of Invista, formerly Dupont, LYCRA® or spandex is a stretchy and forgiving fiber. This is a popular synthetic fiber and is used throughout the world by many designers and clothing manufactures. Manufactures use LYCRA® and spandex in blends that include cotton, silk, and synthetic fibers.

LYCRA fiber was developed by DuPont in 1958 to be used as an alternative to the rubber that was then being used in corsets. LYCRA® and spandex is the synthetic competitor to rubber. Due to its stronger and more durable nature it soon took over as the more popular choice for clothing manufactueres.

Unlike rubber, LYCRA® fiber is more resistant to detergents, lotions, and sweat. Polymer chains help LYCRA® to have its rigid and flexible qualities, yet the fibers are able to stretch and retain there shape.

LYCRA® and spandex can stretch several times its size and has the ability to return back to its original shape.

The main advantages of using LYCRA® and spandex in clothing are its lightweight, comfortable, and breathable properties. Due to the close fitting nature of the fiber, it is often used in women’s clothing more so then in men’s clothing.

Mix LYCRA fibers with either nylon or cotton you have the perfect fabric for dancewear, its soft, strectchy allowing freedom of movement. LYCRA® can also be found in plus-sized clothing and children’s clothing. More advantages are that is quick to dry, moisture wicking, and is easily to dye. LYCRA® and spandex is used in garments due to its bacteria resistant nature, blocks ultraviolet rays, and holds up well to chlorine.

There is minimal piling and static cling with this fiber. LYCRA® has also been used in the manufacturing of diapers, bike seats, and bed sheets. Types of garments that are made using LYCRA® and spandex are socks, lingerie, exercise clothing, swimwear, and leggings.

The movie industry uses LYCRA® for superhero costumes such as the Superman, Batman, and Captain America movies. Due to its tight fitting fiber and its ability to hold bright solid colors, it was the choice fiber when creating these costumes. With the emergence of rock and heavy metal bands in the 1970s and 1980s, LYCRA® and spandex gained popularity with the rise in popularity of spandex leggings.

The elasticity of the material did not constrict the movement of the performers on stage. This allowed for the elaborate antics that the metal and rock bands were famous for.

Today LYCRA® is more popular than ever. It is used combined with other fibres in most fabrics used in modern day clothing. In fact try to find a garment that doesn’t contain LYCRA® in some proportion? Clothing with LYCRA® looks good, wears well and is easy to care for. NO ironing needed!  LYCRA® is definitely here to stay.