What is Lycra Lining Fabric?
Lycra lining fabric refers to elasticised textiles featuring spandex fibres, trademarked as Lycra. Most commonly blended with nylon or polyester, the stretchy fabric can elongate up to double its size and then retract to fit snugly.
This combination of flexibility, shape retention and wrinkle resistance makes Lycra lining ideal for close-fitting garments and activewear for optimal comfort, range of motion and contour shaping. The smooth, lightweight knit construction also provides opacity and usually a subtle sheen surface texture.
History of Lycra Lining Fabric
- Lycra was invented by chemist Joseph Shivers for DuPont in 1959.
- By 1962, the stretchy recyclable spandex fibre gained usage in foundation garments and then expanded into athleisure.
- The 1970s disco era popularised form-fitting Lycra clothing.
- Blending with easy-care synthetics like polyester increased functionality and mass public adoption.
- Today, Lycra comprises roughly 90% of global spandex output across apparel, upholstery, and medical textiles.
Applications of Lycra Lining Fabric
- Common applications for Lycra lining fabric include close-fitting garments like skinny pants, leggings, tops, dupattas, dresses, and intimates.
- Performance sports apparel such as cycling shorts and swimwear, plus coats and jackets to retain shape and resist riding up.
- The heat-retaining yet breathable and sweat-wicking lining also suits cold weather gear, medical supports and bandages.
- Upholstery like chair coverings or automotive interiors utilises Lycra lining for its superior flexibility and durability over friction, wear, and pressure against underlying firm padding.
- Lycra lining fabric is a popular choice for kids’ garments due to its stretchability and comfort
Types of Lycra Lining Fabric
- Nylon-Lycra: High-tenacity strong nylon fibres provide reinforcement and structure blended with Lycra for stretch and recovery.
- PBT-Lycra: A durable thermo-regulating polyester called polyethene terephthalate (PBT) offers heat retention and cooling for activewear.
- Supplex-Lycra: Made from microfibers for softness and breathability, perfect for lingerie coupled with Lycra’s mobile flexibility.
- Cotton-Lycra: Natural cotton fibres lend better moisture absorption and skin-friendly comfort balanced with Lycra elasticity.
- Wool-Lycra: For warmth and insulation, Lycra allows flexibility and shape retention. The wool also naturally wicks moisture.
- Bamboo-Lycra: Sustainable bamboo viscose rayon blended with Lycra is soothing and antibacterial.
Uses and Characteristics of Lycra Lining Fabric
- The primary uses for Lycra lining fabrics leverage key performance characteristics like 4-way stretch and instant shape recovery, facilitating body contouring and ease of mobility without restriction.
- The fabrics feel smooth and supple against the skin while resisting abrasion and wear damage.
- Lycra linings retain fit over time and repeat laundering while resisting pilling or fraying at seams.
- Easy care machine washing increases functionality for everyday apparel.
- Lycra also helps other lining fibres like wool retain structure instead of overstretching from body warmth and humidity.
Why Should You Buy Lycra Lining Fabric Online?
Online Lycra lining fabric retailers like TradeUNO offer more lining varieties and discounted wholesale pricing than local stores. Custom digitally printed options for small batch orders suit unique apparel or craft projects.
TradeUNO specialises in performance athletic fabrics incorporating cooling, sweat-wicking, and antimicrobial technologies paired with Lycra for amateur to professional sports uniforms that maximise mobility. Their in-house facilitates prompt fulfilment and shipping direct to you.
Lycra Lining Fabric Latest Trends 2023 for Festivals & Occasions
- Innovative cooling technologies are infused with Lycra lining fabrics to combat the heat for 2023 warm-weather festivals. This includes phase change materials that absorb and store excess warmth and then release it when ambient temperature drops alongside moisture-wicking and fast-drying finishes.
- Antimicrobial silver ions fight odour-causing bacteria on skin and fabric surfaces.
- Vibrant all-over digital prints ranging from tropical foliage to traditional indigenous motifs inject festive vibes into athletic and streetwear, celebrating cultural heritage.
- Metallic foils laminated onto Lycra create sparkling disco-fever looks for music festivals.
- And textures go lush with thermal velvets, keeping winter events and holidays cosy yet flexible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Lycra lining fabric require any special washing or drying considerations?
Most Lycra blends are machine-washed cold and tumble-dry low. Avoid fabric softeners and bleach that may diminish Lycra’s elasticity or yellow lighter shades over time.
Can Lycra lose its stretch over time?
With proper care and fabric content of at least 15-25% Lycra, the stretch capacity remains well over the typical garment’s lifespan before visible bagging occurs, requiring replacing. Higher Lycra content renders even longer elasticity.
How does Lycra lining compare to traditional unstretched linings?
Lycra adds flexibility, retaining structure and shape, allowing the body to skim contemporary silhouettes in athletic or formal apparel versus potential gapping with movement in unstretched linings. Easy stretch also facilitates mobility comfort.
Where can the widest selection of Lycra lining fabric be found?
Online speciality performance athletic fabric retailers like TradeUNO, who stock globally sourced textiles beyond just basics, carry the most variety of both solid and printed innovative Lycra lining options.
Is Lycra lining durable enough for outerwear?
When blended with sturdy synthetics like nylon or PBT polyester that supply reinforcement for friction and snags, Lycra lining stands up to outerwear demands yet provides greater flexibility and freedom.
