The Lycra Company, a company providing solutions for stretch and performance technologies for the apparel industry, introduced Lycra Adaptiv fiber, which allows garments to have a better fit for various lifestyles, movements and body types. Headquartered in Wilmington, Delaware, The Lycra Company owns consumer and trade brands Lycra, Lycra HyFit, Lycra T400, Coolmax, Thermolite, Elaspan, Supplex and Tactel. Founded in 1958 with the invention of the original spandex yarn, Lycra fiber, The Lycra Company focuses on adding value to its customers’ products by developing unique innovations de- signed to meet the consumer’s need for comfort and lasting performance, the company said.
Made from polymer, the patent-pending, adaptive fiber has a unique chemistry that allows it to adjust to a wearer’s functional needs in a hybrid manner. This means that when the wearer is at rest, the polymer adapts its compressive holding force to deliver the right fit, shape and control, the company said, and when the wearer is in motion, the polymer adapts its elasticity to deliver improved comfort in motion and a second-skin effect that allows the garment to stay in place better. Garments made with fabrics containing Lycra Adaptiv fiber are durable and easy to both put on and take off.
“Consumers are seeking garments that offer greater versatility — from work to leisure to social, and also from season to season and year to year,” said Steve Stewart, chief brand and innovation officer at The Lycra Company. “They want garments that can adapt to their individual needs and lifestyle as well as ones that can adapt to their unique body type, even when their body size or shape may change or fluctuate. Lycra Adaptiv fiber is the answer to satisfy all of these consumer needs.”
The Lycra Company has conducted internal studies to assess wear performance by comparing fabrics and garments containing Lycra Adaptiv fiber versus the same fabrics and garments containing only generic spandex. Results show several advantages in using Lycra Adaptiv fiber, including comfort-in-motion and second skin performance accompanied by shape retention and greater freedom of movement with a comfortable hold. Size inclusivity is also a key benefit in that Lycra Adaptiv fiber promotes one-size-fits-more. The softer stretch within the wearing zone allows for a widened fit window that covers a broader range of body shapes with- in a given size. This makes the one-size-fits-more approach, and the potential reduction of SKUs, a practical possibility, the company said.
“Size inclusivity is not a buzzword — it is increasingly important to today’s consumers,” said Deana Stankowski, strategic marketing director for active, intimates and swim at The Lycra Company. “Every consumer’s body is unique and they want clothes they feel were designed for them — clothes that increase their personal comfort as well as their confidence level. Size alone is an inadequate indication of body type and body shape. Therefore, traditionally-sized garments may not fit every consumer within that size. That’s what makes Lycra Adaptiv fiber so revolutionary — it allows garments made with this fiber to adapt to many body shapes within a size range.”
Lycra Adaptiv fiber will launch in the Asia-Pacific region at The Lycra Company’s pavilion at the Intertextile Shanghai trade event that is taking place this month at the National Exhibition and Convention Center in Shanghai, China. Lycra Adaptiv fiber also launched in September at a trade event in North America to the denim industry via a number of exclusive, invite-only virtual meetings.
