Domestic technical textiles Industry Segment-wise consumption of ...

Suits less than 1.5 inches wide at the hips, sometimes called bikinis, are less common for sporting
purposes and, unlike the racing style, are not designed specifically for drag reduction. Bikinis are
most often worn for recreation, fashion, and sun tanning where minimal suit coverage is preferred.
Unlike regular swimsuits, which are designed mainly for the physical appearances, competitive
swimwear is manufactured for the purpose of aiding athletes in swim competitions. They reduce
friction and drag in the water, increasing the efficiency of the swimmer's forward motion. The tight
fits allow for easy movement and are said to reduce muscle vibration, thus reducing drag. In an effort
to improve the effectiveness of the swimsuits, engineers have taken to designing them to replicate the
skin of sea based animals, sharks in particular.
The kneeskin is similar in design to the full bodyskin absent the leggings beyond the knee. It also
resembles a "shortie" style wetsuit only made of drag-reducing fabric instead of neoprene and
commonly features a zippered back. The bodyskin resembles the design of a diveskin, commonly
used by snorkelers and scuba divers for warm weather climates.
Raw Material
Swimsuit manufacturers like to introduce new swimsuits made from different types of fabric into the
market in order to produce unique swimsuit. The key fabrics used for swimsuit manufacturing are:
• Cotton: Swimsuits and bikinis made entirely from cotton are becoming popular. While cotton
swimsuits are fashionable, they do not always provide the best fit or the greatest overall longevity
in a swimsuit. Cotton swimsuits are not known for staying in place on the body, and they have a
tendency to ride up and bunch (an undesirable characteristic in any swimsuit). As a fabric, cotton
does not stand up long to the destructive nature of chlorine and sun. It is likely that cotton
swimsuit will fade fairly quickly, especially if swimming in chlorinated pools.
• Spandex/Lycra: Most swimsuits contain some percentage of spandex or Lycra in their fabric.
These fabrics provide the stretchy fit that allows a swimsuit to stay in place on the body.
Generally, the higher the percentage of spandex or Lycra in the swimsuit material, the more the
swimsuit is designed for more serious or competitive swimming. While high-spandex materials
cover the body well and smooth out any unsightly body bulges, they can become tight and
uncomfortable. Also, spandex has a tendency to run if snagged on the side of a concrete pool or
on a wooden lounge chair. Suits made from spandex and provide little thermal protection, but
they do protect the skin from stings and abrasion. Because high-spandex swimsuits are designed
for use in serious and competitive swimming pursuits, however, they are often treated for chlorine