If you've ever picked up a swimsuit and wondered what it's actually made from, you're certainly not alone. Whether you're shopping for a new bathing suit, comparing different swimwear brands or simply trying to understand fabric labels, it's useful to know exactly what swimsuit material is called and why certain fabrics are used.
The first thing to know is that there isn't just one swimsuit material. These days, swimwear fabrics are made from a variety of materials, most of which are synthetic fabrics designed specifically for use in water. These materials provide the stretch, support, durability and comfort that traditional natural fibres simply can't match.
We thought it would be useful to explain the most common fabrics used in swimwear, how they perform in pool water and open water, and how to choose the right swimwear fabric for you.
What Is Swimsuit Material Called?
Swimsuit material is usually referred to as swimwear fabric or swimsuit fabric. Rather than being made from a single material, most swim fabrics are created using synthetic fibres blended together to provide specific performance benefits. The most common swimsuit material combines polyester, nylon and elastane (sometimes known by the brand name Lycra®).
These synthetic materials offer:
- 4-way stretch
- Good recovery
- A snug fit
- Chlorine resistance
- UV protection
- Fast drying properties
- Excellent comfort
Because swimsuits spend long hours exposed to pool chemicals, UV rays and are subject to repeated stretching when you move around in them, manufacturers rely on specialist stretch fabric rather than ordinary clothing materials.
Why Aren't Swimsuits Made From Natural Fibres?
Many people assume natural fibres such as cotton would make comfortable swimwear. However, cotton and other natural materials absorb large amounts of water, become heavy when wet and take a long time to dry. You’ll also find that natural fibres lose their shape more easily and can become uncomfortable during your time in the water.
Synthetic fabrics offer significant advantages because they absorb less water and dry quickly. You’ll also find that swimwear fabric maintains its original shape more easily and will stretch comfortably when you are swimming, whilst also resisting chlorine damage if you are regularly using it in a chlorinated pool. For these reasons, virtually all swimsuits use synthetic blends rather than natural fabrics.
The Most Common Fabrics Used In Swimwear
Polyester
Polyester swimwear has become one of the most popular choices in recent years. Polyester fibres are extremely durable and provide excellent resistance to chlorine, UV radiation and general wear. Unlike some older fabrics, polyester suits hold their vibrant colours for longer and retain their fit even after heavy use.
You’ll also find that most swimsuits use special chlorine-proof polyester developed specifically for regular swimmers.
Benefits of polyester include:
- Outstanding chlorine resistance
- Excellent colour retention
- UV protection
- Long lifespan
- Good shape retention
- Less water absorption
This makes polyester swimwear a great choice for frequent swimmers and anyone who spends a lot of time in the pool.
Nylon
Nylon swimwear is a great and popular choice, particularly in fashion-led swimwear. Nylon fabrics feel exceptionally soft against the skin and offer good stretch and comfort. If you’ve ever worn s nylon swimsuit, you’ll know that it create a smooth, luxurious finish that works particularly well in high-end prints and fashion swimsuits.
Benefits of nylon include:
- Soft feel
- Lightweight construction
- Good stretch
- Smooth appearance
- Excellent comfort
What Is Spandex?
Spandex is one of the most important ingredients found in modern swimwear fabrics.
Known as elastane in Europe, spandex provides the stretch fabric qualities that allow swimsuits to move with the body.
The elastic properties of spandex help create a snug fit and give you comfortable movement in your cozzie, whilst also offering shape retention. You’ll find that swimsuits with elastane have good recovery after stretching. Without spandex, your swimsuit would feel stiff, restrictive and uncomfortable.
Most swimsuits contain between 10% and 30% elastane blended with other fibres.
Polyester-Spandex Blends
One of the most common swimwear fabric types is polyester-spandex or polyester-elastane fabric. These polyester-spandex blends combine the durability of polyester with the stretch of elastane.
Polyester-spandex fabrics are often considered the best swimsuit fabric for regular swimmers because they strike such a good balance between comfort and durability.
Nylon-Spandex Fabrics
Another extremely common option is nylon-spandex fabric. Typical nylon-spandex swim fabric combines the softness of nylon with the flexibility of spandex.
Many fashion swimwear brands will choose nylon-spandex fabrics because they work exceptionally well for high-end prints and a luxurious feel.
What Is PBT Fabric?
One fabric you'll often see mentioned in competitive swimwear is polybutylene terephthalate, commonly shortened to PBT. PBT fabrics are specialised polyester blends developed for performance swimming. At a molecular level, PBT has a unique molecular structure that helps it withstand harsh conditions better than many traditional swimwear materials. PBT offers exceptional chlorine resistance, whilst also being fast drying and durable.
These benefits make PBT fabrics an excellent choice for competitive swimmers and anyone spending a considerable amount of time in a chlorinated pool.
Why Competitive Swimmers Prefer Polyester
Competitive swimming places huge demands on swimwear. Athletes often spend long hours training in heavily chlorinated pool water. Under these conditions, fabric durability becomes incredibly important. Competitive swimwear frequently uses blends of polyester and PBT because they offer superior chlorine resistance, which in turn gives a longer lifespan to their swimsuit. For serious swimmers, polyester suits are often considered the best choice.
What About Chlorine-Proof Swimwear?
Chlorine is one of the biggest challenges facing any swimsuit. Pool chlorine gradually breaks down fibres, causing fading, sagging and loss of elasticity. To combat this, we use a special chlorine-proof polyester designed to resist pool chemicals. Compared with traditional nylon swimwear, our chlorine-resistant swimsuits will last significantly longer, up to twice as long a regular swimsuit material, when used regularly.
If you swim several times a week, choosing chlorine-resistant fabrics is usually a good idea.
How UV Rays Affect Swimwear
Swimwear doesn't just face challenges from the water in your pool or the elements. UV rays and UV light can also damage fabrics over time. Continuous exposure to UV radiation can cause your swimsuit to fade. It will also weaken the fibres which reduces the elasticity in your swimsuit. Swimwear fabrics, including our swimsuits, often include UV protection to help reduce these effects.
Many swimsuits and rash guards are designed specifically to help protect both the fabric and the wearer from excessive sun exposure.
What Is Swimwear Lining?
Many people focus on the outer fabric but overlook the swimsuit lining. The swimsuit lining is the inner layer found in many one-piece swimsuits and other swimwear styles. The lining helps you to feel more comfortable when you swim. It will give you a better fit and additional support. You’ll also find it helps stop your swimsuit from looking see-through.
Look for good quality swimsuits that use lining materials that complement the outer swimsuit's fabric, as these will be the best to wear for year after year.
Are Recycled Materials Used In Swimwear?
Yes. We use recycled synthetic materials as part of our sustainability pledge. Our fabrics are created from recycled polyester made using plastic bottles and other plastic waste that would have otherwise ended up in our waterways.
These eco-friendly fabrics provide many of the same performance benefits as normal polyester while helping reduce waste.
Which Swimwear Fabric Lasts Longest?
If durability is your top priority, polyester-based fabrics are generally regarded as the best choice.
Which Fabric Is Best For Holidays?
For beach holidays and occasional use, both nylon swimwear and polyester swimwear can work well. The right fabric often depends on how you'll be using your swimsuit.
Choose Nylon If:
- Comfort is your priority
- You love fashion swimsuits
- You swim occasionally
- You want a particularly soft feel
Choose Polyester If:
- You swim frequently
- You attend aqua classes
- You use chlorinated pools regularly
- Durability matters most
Both options can be a great option depending on your needs.
What About Board Shorts And Rash Guards?
Board shorts and rash guards often use similar suit materials to traditional swimsuits. However, they may incorporate additional performance features such as enhanced UV protection and faster drying fabrics.
Can You Sew Your Own Swimwear?
Absolutely. Many sewing projects now use specialist stretch swimwear fabric purchased from fabric suppliers. When choosing fabric for homemade swimwear, it's important to select materials specifically designed for swimming rather than ordinary stretch fabrics.
How To Care For Swimwear Fabrics
Even the best swimsuit fabric benefits from proper care. Take a look at our handy post about washing and caring for your swimwear.
So, What Is The Best Swimsuit Fabric?
The answer depends on how you plan to use your swimwear. For competitive swimmers and frequent pool users, polyester-spandex blends and PBT fabrics are often considered the best choice because of their superior chlorine resistance.
For fashion swimwear and holiday use, nylon-spandex fabrics remain a popular choice thanks to their softness and luxurious feel.
The best swimsuit fabric is ultimately the one that matches your lifestyle, swimming habits and comfort preferences.
What Is Swimsuit Material Called?
So, when people ask "what is swimsuit material called?", the answer is usually a combination of specialised swimwear fabrics rather than a single material. As a general rule, polyester-based fabrics offer the greatest durability and chlorine resistance, while nylon-based fabrics provide exceptional comfort and style. Both have their place in today's swimwear market, and choosing the right materials can help ensure your swimsuit performs beautifully for many swims to come.