Women's Lycra Swimwear: Shop by Style, Detail & Fit

Lycra is Invista's brand name for spandex (elastane) — the stretch fiber that makes modern swimwear possible. No swimsuit is made of Lycra alone; it is always the minority partner (typically 15-25%) blended with nylon or polyester, providing the stretch-and-snap-back that defines swim fit.

More Lycra generally means better shape retention: the suit hugs when dry, accommodates movement, and recovers instead of bagging. It is also what makes "four-way stretch" possible. The catch is that Lycra itself is vulnerable to chlorine, heat, and sunscreen oils — which is why the base fiber matters so much. A nylon-Lycra suit feels amazing but fades in chlorinated pools; a polyester-Lycra suit trades a little softness for seasons of extra life.

Reading the Label

Check the percentage: below 10% Lycra, expect bagging; 15-20% is the sweet spot for most suits; above 25% usually signals a shaping or sport suit. "Lycra Xtra Life" is Invista's chlorine-resistant variant — genuinely longer-lasting in pools and worth seeking out if you swim laps.

Care

Lycra's enemies are heat, chlorine, and time. Rinse immediately after wearing, never wring, never tumble dry, never iron. Sunscreen and oils degrade it — apply sunscreen first, let it absorb, then suit up.