Celebrate International Bikini Day with The LYCRA Company

Published on Jul 05, 2024

Every year on July 5th, we celebrate International Bikini Day, commemorating the anniversary of the introduction of the bikini in 1946 by French designer Louis Réard. This day honors the evolution of swimwear and celebrates the innovations that have made bikinis a staple for many.

Did you know that the original bikini dates to ancient Rome and Greece, where women wore bikini-like outfits for sports?

Fast forward to the early 20th century, when swimwear became chicer and sleeker, leading to two-piece suits during WWII because of fabric rationing.

Then in 1946 French designer Louis Réard made a big splash when he introduced the modern-day bikini, which initially caused quite a stir and faced bans.

The radical 1960s shook things up, with celebrities making the bikini a symbol of freedom and fun.

By the 70s and 80s, bikinis were everywhere, reflecting the era's fitness and fashion trends.

From the 90s until present day, it kept evolving with fresh and exciting designs. Nowadays, bikinis are all about fashion and function, and size-inclusion, ensuring everyone looks and feels fabulous!

The LYCRA® Fiber Difference

Since its inception, LYCRA® fiber has been synonymous with stretch, recovery, and durability.

These attributes have made it an essential component in the production of swimwear.

LYCRA® fiber's ability to stretch up to seven times its original length and return to its original shape ensures that swimwear made with it fits like a second skin, providing comfort and confidence to wearers.

Make a Splash in Your Swimwear Collections

Some of the most popular LYCRA® fiber technical solutions for stylish swimwear include the following fibers and technologies:

LYCRA® ADAPTIV fiber

Transform bikinis and swimwear by providing a second-skin effect that stays in place and moves effortlessly with the body, making them easy to put on and take off. This innovative fiber perfectly balances comfort, shaping, and compression, adapting seamlessly to the wearer’s shape. Its unique properties allow for inclusive and simplified sizing, ensuring an excellent fit for all body shapes, sizes, and types, meeting diverse market needs. LYCRA^® ADAPTIV fiber enhances the appeal of swimwear with its exceptional comfort and fit, boosting satisfaction and inclusivity in the market.

Choose LYCRA® ADAPTIV fiber

LYCRA® ADAPTIV Black fiber

Minimize grin-through and glitter and ensure a sleek and uniform appearance with LYCRA^® ADAPTIV Black fiber. Offering a durable, true black color that resists fading, LYCRA^® ADAPTIV Black fiber provides resistance to external agents like perspiration and sunscreen. Additionally, it supports size-inclusive designs with simplified sizing and excellent fit forgiveness, providing comfort and style for all body types.

LYCRA® ADAPTIV Fiber Family Expands

LYCRA® ADAPTIV XTRA LIFE fiber

Enhance the durability of swimwear and activewear with LYCRA^® ADAPTIV XTRA LIFE fiber, which can help swimsuits last up to 10 times longer than those made with unprotected spandex. It resists fiber damage, ensuring consistent fit and performance, and provides dynamic comfort and style that adapts to the wearer's movements. Additionally, it offers a wider fit window to accommodate various body shapes.

Innovative Fibers

LYCRA® BLACK Fiber

Ensure long-lasting comfort and fit by providing superior stretch and recovery while virtually eliminating grin-through in dark shades. Use LYCRA^® BLACK fiber to enhance swimwear and bikinis with a durable, rich black color that resists fading from UV rays, chlorine, sunscreen, and lotions. With LYCRA^® BLACK fiber, your swimwear remains vibrant and resilient, swim after swim.

Choose LYCRA® BLACK Technology

LYCRA FitSense® print technology

Revolutionize bikinis and swimwear by providing targeted support, shaping, and lift. With LYCRA FitSense^® print technology, you can create lightweight, high-performance swimwear that meets consumer expectations, reduces bulk, and enhances design possibilities. Consumers benefit from comfortable, second-skin swimwear that moves freely with their body while maintaining a sleek and uniform appearance. This innovation helps brands build loyalty and drive sales by delivering superior swimwear solutions.

Swimwear powered by LYCRA FitSense® print technology Choose LYCRA FitSense® print technology

LYCRA® lastingFIT technology

Did you know that LYCRA^® lastingFIT technology, is also known as LYCRA^® XTRA LIFE^™ fiber?

Enhance bikinis and swimwear by providing long-lasting comfort, fit, and shape while resisting fiber damage from chlorine, UV rays, and sunscreen. Innovations such as LYCRA^® XTRA LIFE^™ fiber have set new industry standards by ensuring swimwear lasts up to 10 times longer than garments made with unprotected spandex, retaining its shape and resisting fading.

This technology allows businesses to create high-quality swimwear that meets consumer demands for durability, boosting satisfaction and brand loyalty. Consumers benefit from swimwear that maintains its appearance and comfort over time.

Discover Durable Swimwear Choose LYCRA® lastingFIT technology

LYCRA® FiT400™ fiber

Made from recycled and bio-derived materials, it enhances bikinis and swimwear by offering durable performance, all-day comfort, and softness.

This GRS-certified bicomponent stretch fiber provides long-lasting fit and shape retention, breathability, and chlorine resistance, making it ideal for swimwear. For businesses, LYCRA^® FiT400^™ fiber allows the creation of high-quality, eco-friendly swimwear that may meet consumer demands for durability and comfort, and helps to drive sales and brand loyalty.

Consumers benefit from swimwear that maintains its softness, fit, and cooling comfort over time, contributing to a more sustainable wardrobe.

Launch of LYCRA® FiT400™ fiber Choose LYCRA® FiT400™ fiber

LYCRA® SHAPING technology

Did you know that LYCRA^® SHAPING technology, is also known to consumers as LYCRA^® BEAUTY fiber?

This technology gently sculpts and smooths curves. Product designers, create swimwear that meets consumer expectations for comfort, fit, and shaping and boosting satisfaction. Consumers benefit from swimwear that offers all-day comfortable shaping and a flattering silhouette, making it a preferred choice for a variety of garment categories.

Choose LYCRA® SHAPING technology

Sustainability and The LYCRA Company

In today's world, sustainability is more important than ever. We are committed to creating sustainable solutions for the swimwear industry. Durable swimwear that lasts longer than one season is more sustainable than swimwear made with unprotected spandex.

Some of our EcoMade fibers are made from post-consumer waste and can offer the same high performance as traditional fibers but with a reduced environmental impact. Our commitment to sustainability may ensure that your consumers can enjoy their favorite bikini with the knowledge that it's made with respect for the planet.

Learn about our Product Sustainability Contact us

This International Bikini Day, join us in celebrating the bikini's rich history and bright future and toasting the innovations that continue to make swimwear more comfortable, great fitting and provides freedom of movement.

Happy International Bikini Day from all of us at The LYCRA Company!

Not a LYCRA ONE™ MARKETPLACE member yet?