Lycra is the original spandex fiber that revolutionized the fashion industry. It is the best-known branded fiber in the world and has changed clothes and the way we wear them. Originally invented to replace rubber threads that caused women’s foundation garments to lose their shape and fit over time, and made them hot and uncomfortable to wear, Lycra outperformed the natural fiber it replaced by adding lasting comfort, fit and the ability to move freely.

Lycra is owned by Invista. It quickly became apparent that the fiber had the power to transform other types of women’s clothing and menswear too. Today, this nearly invisible fiber can be found in virtually every apparel segment, including lingerie, underwear, denim, active wear, hosiery, socks, swimwear, and ready-to-wear apparel. It has also been the catalyst for the development of new multi-billion-dollar segments across shape wear, stretch denim, compression sportswear and athleisure apparel.

What began six decades ago as a single elastic fiber renowned for its ability to stretch and snap back to its original shape, time after time and wash after wash, has evolved into a portfolio of over 200 differentiated fibers designed to meet a wide variety of consumer needs. Each one is engineered to improve fabric aesthetics and add lasting performance benefits that continue to drive sales for leading apparel brands and retailers around the globe.