Bodywear, which encompasses a wide range of clothing including underwear, swimwear, shapewear, dancewear, core activewear like Sports Bras and Leggings, demands fabrics that can keep up with our dynamic lifestyles. Whether it’s the ability to wick away moisture during a high-intensity workout, regulate body temperature throughout the day, or provide unparalleled comfort for relaxation, the right fabric makes all the difference. Today’s consumers are also more conscious about the environmental impact of their clothing, pushing the industry towards more sustainable and ethical choices.
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This blend of functionality and sustainability is driving a surge in the development of high-tech textiles. Designers and manufacturers are leveraging everything from natural fibres with enhanced properties to synthetic materials that offer incredible stretch and durability. These innovations are not just improving the practical aspects of bodywear but are also paving the way for more responsible production processes.
Join Bodywear Lab as we explore seven of the best fabrics for bodywear, each of them allowing designers and consumers alike to set new standards in comfort, performance, and sustainability.
MERINO WOOL
Traditionally associated with warmth and luxury, merino wool has experienced a renaissance thanks to modern technology. It’s now celebrated for its breathability, moisture-wicking properties, and natural odour resistance, making it ideal for bodywear. The fibre’s ability to regulate temperature ensures comfort in both hot and cold conditions. Recent innovations have led to finer weaves and blends with synthetic fibres, enhancing their durability and stretch, which are crucial for activewear and everyday comfort. Several brands are known for using merino wool in their bodywear products due to its exceptional qualities like softness, breathability, and moisture-wicking properties. One prominent brand currently utilising merino wool for their bodywear products is Icebreaker. Icebreaker specialises in creating high-performance garments from merino wool, offering a wide range of products including base layers, underwear, and activewear designed for comfort and functionality in various conditions
BAMBOO FIBRE
Bamboo fibre is quickly gaining popularity in the bodywear sector due to its eco-friendly properties, exceptional softness and fabric blending. Bamboo is a great fibre for performance bodywear as it can be blended with many fabrics to create different properties. Some of the most beneficial bamboo blends for performance bodywear are cotton, spandex and linen. A bamboo cotton blend combines the breathability and softness of bamboo with the durability and comfort of cotton. The resulting fabric is lightweight, hypoallergenic, and highly absorbent, making it ideal for everyday wear and bed linens. Adding spandex to bamboo creates a stretchy, flexible fabric that retains the softness and breathability of bamboo. This blend is ideal for activewear and fitted garments, offering comfort and ease of movement. Bamboo and linen create a fabric that is cool, strong, and moisture-wicking. This blend is perfect for summer clothing and home textiles, offering a crisp feel and excellent breathability.
 This fabric is not only sustainable—bamboo grows rapidly with minimal resources—but also boasts natural antibacterial qualities, which help in reducing odours and minimising skin irritations. Technological advancements have improved the extraction and processing methods, making bamboo fabrics more durable and versatile for bodywear applications, from yoga attire to loungewear. One prominent brand currently utilising bamboo fibre is Boody. Boody offers a range of eco-friendly bodywear, including underwear, activewear, and loungewear, all made from organically grown bamboo blending with viscose. A bamboo viscose blend fabric is exceptionally soft, breathable, and moisture-wicking, making it ideal for garments worn close to the skin. It is also hypoallergenic, antibacterial, durable, and offers UV protection, providing comfort and sustainability.Â
MICROMODAL
Derived from beech tree pulp, MicroModal is renowned for its incredible softness and lightness. This fabric is a step ahead of traditional Modal due to its finer, denser weave, which provides a silky touch and superior breathability. Innovations in the production process have enhanced its ability to retain colour and resist shrinkage. MicroModal is perfect for bodywear, offering a luxurious feel against the skin while maintaining practicality for everyday use. Men’s underwear brand, Bang & Strike, is leveraging MicroModal fabric for its product offerings. Made from the pulp of beech trees, this natural and sustainable fabric provides great shape retention and moisture-wicking properties, enhancing the comfort and performance of Bang & Strike’s men’s underwear collection.
HYOSUNG X HUNG YEN'S FISHTALE
Hyosung’s Fishtale collaboration with Hung Yen (part of the Carvico Group) has produced an innovative performance swimwear fabric that sets a new standard in sustainability and functionality. This advanced fabric, made from 100% recycled knitted yarn, combines recycled nylon from fishing nets and recycled spandex, creating an eco-friendly material that excels in bodywear applications. Designed for maximum elasticity and durability, Fishtale fabric allows for unrestricted movement and maintains its shape under rigorous conditions, making it perfect for swimmers and athletes. Its superior breathability and moisture-wicking properties ensure comfort during intense activity, while its lightweight nature and smooth texture minimise drag for enhanced speed in the water. Additionally, the fabric provides UV protection, ideal for outdoor use. This cutting-edge fabric offers unmatched comfort, durability, and functionality, making it a top choice for high-performance and environmentally-conscious swimwear. Notably, the Yamamay product launch has already showcased the potential of Fishtale fabric in the market.
Fishtale collaboration between Hyosung and Hung Yen is not just about promoting a single type of recycled material but about championing a holistic approach to sustainability in the textile industry. By utilising recycled nylon from fishing nets and recycled spandex, Fishtale fabric is a pioneering product that meets the demands of both performance and environmental responsibility. Fishtale knitted yarn is a testament to the modern shift towards sustainable fabric technology. Incorporating eco-friendly materials and processes significantly reduces environmental impact compared to traditional fabrics. Advances in recycling technology have enhanced the quality and functionality of recycled polyester, nylon, and spandex, making these materials softer, more flexible, and highly durable. Quick-drying and moisture-wicking properties make these recycled fabrics top choices for sportswear and active bodywear, aligning with contemporary environmental standards.
Interested in ethical manufacturing but not sure where to start? Read our blog all about sustainable production and the pros of local Vs international manufacturing
GRAPHENE-INFUSED FABRICS
Graphene, a single layer of carbon atoms arranged in a two-dimensional lattice, is heralded as a wonder material for its strength and conductivity. When infused into fabrics, graphene enhances durability, flexibility, and thermal regulation. This cutting-edge innovation means garments can better manage body heat, providing warmth in cooler conditions and promoting breathability when it’s hot. Graphene-infused fabrics are increasingly being used in high-performance bodywear, offering a blend of comfort and advanced functionality. Several brands are exploring the innovative use of graphene-infused fabrics in their bodywear products due to their exceptional properties, including strength, flexibility, and thermal conductivity. One notable brand currently utilising graphene-infused fabrics is Vollebak. Vollebak is known for its cutting-edge approach to performance apparel, and its graphene-infused clothing aims to enhance durability, temperature regulation, and overall wearer comfort.
LYCRA FITSENSE PRINT TECHNOLOGY
Lycra’s Fitsense technology represents a leap forward in fabric innovation, offering unparalleled support and comfort. This advanced technology involves the strategic application of Lycra polymer directly onto fabric in precise patterns, delivering targeted support exactly where it’s needed. As a result, garments made with Fitsense technology adapt to the body’s movements, providing exceptional fit and enhanced performance. One brand already utilising Lycra’s Fitsense fabric is the bodywear brand Penti. Using the technology across a range of products such as sports bras, leggings and swimwear, Lycra’s Fitsense print technology helps to enhance the support and shaping capabilities of Penti’s performance bodywear, providing a comfortable yet firm fit. This innovative approach allows them to strategically place print patterns that offer targeted compression and flexibility, adapting to the body’s movements seamlessly. As a result, Penti’s products deliver both superior performance and aesthetic appeal, ensuring wearers enjoy optimal comfort and style.
Fitsense not only maintains the core benefits of traditional Lycra, such as superior elasticity and freedom of movement, but it also enhances durability and breathability. This makes it perfect for high-performance athletic wear and everyday bodywear alike. Additionally, the integration of Fitsense technology aligns with sustainable fashion trends, as it optimises material use and reduces waste. This innovation in Lycra production sets a new standard for comfort, functionality, and environmental responsibility in the textile industry.
Keen to see how we use innovative fabrics for our clients? Check out our case studies and see how we’ve supported both big, established brands and entrepreneurs breaking into the bodywear scene!Â
The landscape of bodywear fabrics is continuously evolving, driven by a blend of technological advancements and a growing awareness of sustainability. As new materials and processes emerge, the potential for creating even more comfortable, efficient, and eco-friendly garments expands. These performance fabrics are leading the charge, setting new standards in the world of bodywear. As we look to the future, it’s exciting to imagine how these innovations will continue to transform the way we dress, combining style, performance, and responsibility. If you want more information about new performance fabrics hitting the market, Performance Days Fabric Marketplace. With over 21000 products to search from, you can find your perfect material for your bodywear brand.Â
We are also excited to announce that the London Contour Experts Group will be curating a brand new section at this October’s Performance Days event in Munich as well as the
November’s Functional Fabric Fair – find out more information and how you can get involved here!Â