Why Most Swimsuits Are Polyester

Because They Are Vegan

The first pro-polyester argument doesn’t hold enough water for the majority of the population. Hardcore vegans do not eat or wear animal products, including shorn wool. It’s called cruelty-free clothing. Vegetarians are not as particular, as they generally eat eggs and wear natural fabrics. If you want to impress your vegan gentleman or lady, don’t negate the order for a cashew cheese pizza with cauliflower crust while wearing leather sandals and a cotton swimsuit.

With proper care, natural fabrics like wool, cotton, and leather are generally long-lasting investments. Rayon (viscose), made from polished cellulose (wood pulp), is also considered a natural fabric. Most wool and rayon require professional dry cleaning. Cotton can be laundered but, depending on the weave tends to wrinkle easily.

Natural fibers are biodegradable so have less environmental effects when discarded. Polyester is not biodegradable but may be recyclable.

Nylon Versus Polyester Comparison Chart

	Nylon	Polyester
Chemical Name	Polyamide	Polyethylene Naphthalate
Manufacture	Created as a liquid, mechanically spun and dried into individual fibers.	Spun into the thread from the chemical solution.
Uses	More common to certain kinds of apparel, including lingerie, tights, raincoats, and swimwear. Carpets, drapes, and bedding. More wide range of industrial uses.	More widely used in all kinds of apparel. Carpets, drapes, and bedding. Some industrial use.
Wearability	Low moisture absorbency	Wrinkle resistant
Durability	Exceptionally strong, abrasion resistant, resistant to damage from oil and many chemicals.	Strong, resistant to stretching and shrinking, resistant to most chemicals, crisp and resilient wet or dry, abrasion resistant.
Flammability	Melts then burns rapidly	Melts and burns at same time
Environmental impact	Most nylon made from unavoidable oil refinery byproducts	Non-biodegradable, but can be recycled—possible to purchase 100% recycled polyester
Comfort	Light-weight, warm, smooth, soft, quick drying.	Quick drying, lightweight, smooth.
Styles	Blouses, dresses, foundation garments, hosiery, lingerie, underwear, raincoats, ski apparel, windbreakers, swimwear, cycle wear.	Every form of clothing
Appearance	Lustrous, wide range of colors.	Wide range of colors, slightly slick.
Allergic reactions	Possible, more likely caused by finishing resins, fibers repel typical allergens.
Maintenance	Easy to wash, mildew resistant.	Easily washed, mildew resistant.
Cleaning	Easy to wash, mildew-resistant. Can be dried on a low heat cycle, but must be removed as soon as finished. Can be ironed. Cannot be dry-cleaned.	Easy to wash, mildew-resistant. Can be dried on a low heat cycle, but must be removed as soon as finished. Can be ironed. Can usually be dry-cleaned.
Materials	Polyamide made from petroleum.	Polymer production of coal, air, water, petroleum products.
UV Resistance	Somewhat UV resistant	Very UV resistant
First Made	First U.S. commercial nylon fiber production—1939, DuPont Company
Worldwide Production	Around 3.9 million metric tons, 11% of synthetic fiber production	Around 21 million metric tons, 58% of synthetic fiber production

Polyester Swimwear is More Durable

Chlorine is harsh on fabric fibers and colors. Natural fabrics are dyed. The pigment can be mixed into synthetic fibers before weaving fabric (or imprinted afterwards). So synthetic fabric is often better suited for swimwear. But not all synthetics respond the same to chlorinated water.

Polyester swimsuits stretch, but not as much as Lycra. Spandex (Lycra), and nylon offer a smoother feel and more contoured fit than polyester. For pool swimmers, polyester is more resistant to chlorine. Spandex will eventually lose its shape. The combination of sunlight and chlorine beach can deteriorate dyed fabrics.

Polyester swimsuits have the most consistent fit over the life of the garment.

Polyester swimsuits have the most consistent fit over the life of the garment and resist bagging. Natural fibers shrink when laundered. The stability of polyester is an important consideration since swimsuits are more frequently “washed” (wetted) than other garments. Because each fabric has inherent strengths and weaknesses, it is not uncommon for textile manufacturers to combine fabrics for durability, wrinkle resistance, vibrance, or texture.

Always rinse your bathing suit out in clear cool fresh water after a swim in a chlorinated pool. Do not wring excess water out. This abuses the fabric. You can pat excess water out with a towel before hanging it up to dry.

Sizing Things Up

ClinicalPosters imports current fashions from around the world. Countries use different sizing formulas. Outside the US, centimeter (cm) is the most common linear fabric measurement. Even small, medium, and large have different numeric equivalents.

Some garments offer small, medium, and large versions of what are essentially petite—Asian sizes. Others may begin at large and offer up to 8X. ClinicalPosters endeavors to present a comprehensive chart for each garment. As a relative comparison, sizes (S, M, L+) are followed by an integer representing the hip circumference in inches, where applicable. (For blouses and other garments, it may be the bust.) keeping in mind considerable deviation from one style to the next, the following table depicts international standard sizes followed by a featured swimsuit.

International Standard Women’s Sizes

Size	US	UK	EU	Cup	Bust	Waist	Hip
S-36	4–6	6–8	32–34	A–B	32–34" (81‑86cm)	24–26" (61‑66cm)	34–36" (86‑91cm)
M-38	6–8	8–10	34–36	B–C	34–36" (86‑91cm)	26–28" (66‑71cm)	36–38" (91‑97cm)
L-40	8–10	10–12	36–38	B–C	36–38" (91‑97cm)	28–30" (71‑76cm)	38–40" (97‑102cm)
XL-42	10–12	12–14	38–40	C–D	38–40" (97‑102cm)	30–32" (76‑81cm)	40–42" (102‑107cm)
Allow 1–2 cm variance.

Fabric, weave, and cut alter the assessment of what represents a particular size. A stretchy form-fitting fabric can have a variance of two inches. Garments that stretch less may have fixed measurements for the bust, hip, and waist. For some swimsuits, thigh circumstances may be provided. Using a soft tape measure, write down your measurements. Then select the closest size offered. This may require choosing an alternate garment style.

Summer Sell-Out

Get your summer fashion, including small through super plus-size swimsuits with free global shipping from ClinicalPosters. If you prefer, you can match up a durable synthetic fiber swimsuit with a cotton kaftan. During summer, popular styles sell out quickly so order now.