Though I am no Madonna, I am a material girl living in a material world: as a fashion designer, the fabrics I create with go through a rigorous casting call. Fabric is everything in a garment.
In our collections, you can find soft modal robes, comfortable stretch Nylon lace bodysuits, and gaffs made of our super silky Nylon blend. And though we love to focus on natural fibers like our luxurious bamboo robes, some of our garments require 'heavy lifting' that natural fibers cannot compete against.
There are different properties each fiber adds to the structure and performance of the garment, which enhances its softness, durability and moisture management. When choosing fabrics, it is important to take all of these properties into account so that a product can be properly designed and made to last.
The reason I bring this up is because in the fashion and manufacturing world, a debate about Nylon and Polyester has been brewing, And since I'm a Nylon girlie, I'd love to share with you why I have chosen Nylon over and over.
Nylon vs Polyester
Nylon has superior elasticity overall durability, and better resistance to abrasion; this means you get less pilling, which are those stubborn little balls you sometimes find on the surface of some fabrics. Because of its softness and buttery hand, it is a chosen fabric for swimsuits, activewear …and Prada (the famous Nylon shoulder bag, you know what I’m talking about!). This is also why you find that a lot of outdoor apparel and equipment made of nylon, since it stands the test of time and wear.
Polyester on the other hand is fast drying and has very low moisture absorption, making it a great option for activewear; Nylon is just a step behind polyester in it's moisture-wicking properties but still extremely successful in this area. However, this comes at a price. Polyester has excellent quick-drying properties, but it can be more prone to retaining body odor than Nylon. Polyester also resists UV degradation from sunlight much better than Nylon. The process of making polyester is more inexpensive than Nylon, making it an affordable option.
Though there are pros and cons to each fiber, the softness of Nylon is unmatched which makes it superior option for intimate apparel. And most importantly, the durability and quality of the fabric makes it an easy choice for our customers. This is why for our high compression tucking underwear Lili and our lace trim unisex thong Lucy, we have chosen two different Nylon/spandex blend fabrics based on the needs for each garment
Nylon vs Polyamide
Our comfy unisex lingerie bra and thong set Dana and Linda is made of a Polyamide and Spandex blend. So now that I've talked up Nylon, what is Polyamide?
Nylon is actually a type of Polyamide! To not get too technical, "Polyamide" is the broader category of fibers which makes up Nylon. You may have seen Polyamide on some labels and maybe even assumed it was similar to polyester because of the spelling. The reason designers and manufacturers choose between Nylon and Polyamide is that one may be better suited for fabrication requirements.
For example, why we choose Polyamide for our seamless designs is that it is better suited for the machines. For seamless knitted garments, a big circular machine feeds yarn through many needles to create the garment; just imagine your grandmother's set of knitting needles multiplied by 10. So how smoothly the machine runs depends a lot on the performance of the yarn. (On a side note, seamless knitting also makes it a minimal waste garment, since you aren't cutting and sewing fabric to leave fabric waste).
Take a Peek at Your Labels!
Yes of course, we don't like labels either. But it's great to know what goes on in manufacturing, and how that eventually turns into clothing we choose. With so many fiber options these days, I urge you all to look at labels and see what feels good against your skin. Being in comfort and style is a part of our everyday routine, even your pajamas.
Love, Margaret
