SPANDEX FABRIC INFORMATION

SPANDEX FABRIC INFORMATION
Nylon and polyester spandex fabrics have come
to prominence in the last several decades as the
premier fabrics for athletic wear, uniforms,
swimwear, and workout clothing.
Spandex fabric - also known as elastane or Lycra
- is a modern synthetic fiber known for its
exceptional elasticity, hence its prevalence in
athletic attire as well as in apparel designed for
comfort or to flatter the figure. The material is
extremely comfortable, lightweight, supple and
dyes easily. It is a key stretchy fabric in active-
wear garments and in an ever growing array of
other stylish attire, such as dancewear and club
wear.
Spandex was developed in 1959 by DuPont
scientist Joseph Shivers, the culmination of nearly
a decade of research. The material is a long-
chain synthetic polymeric fiber, consisting of a
rubbery segment for stretch and recovery as well
as a rigid segment for strength and durability.
Spandex is always blended with another fiber
such as cotton or linen, and does not lose
integrity with exposure to lotions or the body's
natural oils, unlike rubber thread.
Its generic "spandex" name is a clever (reverse)
word play on the fact that the fabric is rather
uniquely "ex-pandable", and thus ideal for a range
of active lifestyle garments and applications.
DuPont's brand of spandex, Lycra, began its foray
into the fashion world during the 1960's in
women's pantyhose and undergarments. The
material was soon cropping up elsewhere, though,
in uniforms, swimwear and athletic attire.
Spandex leggings were all the rage in aerobics
classes throughout the 1980's, and many
entertainers began incorporating the material into
their stage costumes. Spandex remains widely
used for a multitude of applications, ranging from
traditional uses in clothing to practical bedding
and automotive paneling. Spandex is a truly
remarkable textile that has altered the form and
function of fashion.