Composition tells you how it behaves
Almost every performance knit in this category is a blend of a base fibre and elastane (spandex). The base fibre — nylon or polyester — carries the hand feel, the dye behaviour and the abrasion resistance; the elastane percentage decides how much the garment recovers after it stretches.
On our own listings you will see blends such as 75% nylon / 25% spandex, 80% nylon / 20% spandex and 87% nylon / 13% spandex, plus cotton blends for lifestyle pieces. Higher elastane generally reads as a softer, more compressive fabric; lower elastane reads firmer and holds shape with a lighter feel. Neither is better — they suit different products and price points.
Weight, opacity and what your customer will notice
Fabric weight (often written as GSM) and piece weight are different measurements, and confusing them is one of the most common sourcing mistakes. Fabric weight is the weight of the cloth itself; piece weight is how heavy one finished garment is. Two styles can use the same fabric and end up with very different piece weights because of lining, panels or a longer leg.
What your customer actually notices is opacity and recovery: whether the fabric goes see-through when it stretches, and whether the waistband springs back after a wash. Both are decided by the fabric plus the pattern, which is why we confirm the fabric before cutting rather than after.
- Ask for the composition, the fabric weight and the piece weight in writing
- Say which colourways matter most — light colours show opacity problems first
- Decide whether the fabric is fixed or open to alternatives before sampling
How fabric is approved before production
Fabric approval is a checkpoint in our process, not a formality. The fabric and colour are confirmed against your reference, and the documents that come with the material are collected at the same time — so if your market needs mill paperwork, it is available when you ask rather than after the goods are cut.
If you want a fabric the mill does not hold in stock, it can still be developed, but it is quoted as its own project and adds time. That is why most first orders use a fabric already in production.
What to send us
Send a reference you like — a garment, a swatch, or a product photo with a note on what you like about it — plus the feel you are aiming for in plain language: thick and compressive, light and cool, matte or shiny. That is enough for us to propose two or three directions with prices instead of a generic catalogue.
Buyer questions
Is nylon or polyester better for yoga leggings?
Nylon generally feels softer and takes dye more richly; polyester is more durable and often cheaper. Which is right depends on your price point and positioning, so we quote both rather than assume.
What is the difference between fabric weight and piece weight?
Fabric weight is the weight of the cloth itself (for example 220gsm); piece weight is how heavy one finished garment is (for example 250g for a pair of pants). Two styles in the same fabric can have different piece weights.
Can you develop a fabric that is not in your range?
Yes, but custom fabric development is quoted as its own project and takes longer than using a fabric already in production. Most first orders start with an existing fabric.
Do I get the fabric documents my market requires?
Fabric-mill documents — such as OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100, GRS or bluesign® where the mill holds them — are supplied on request with the relevant order. We do not present mill certificates as our own accreditation.
Ready to price your own order?
Send your styles, quantities and target market — we will confirm availability, MOQ and shipping before you commit.