By Elise Woolstenhulme Fashion 1010 SLCC

What is Spandex?? Spandex is a synthetic fiber created by Joseph Shivers, a chemist for DuPont. It was developed primarily to replace the rubber that was currently being used to create stretch in garments. Rubber breaks down over time and could be easily damaged. After initial tests failed the project was put on hold until the 1950’s when Shivers made his breakthrough in 1958. Spandex can stretch 5 times it’s length and still maintain it’s shape and elasticity. It is named spandex as a play on the word expand. Because spandex is my absolute favorite fabric to sew with I knew I was going to do some research on the product. It’s a fairly new invention as far as the fashion world goes. It was invented in 1958 but not used in clothing until 1962. The creator of spandex was a man named Joseph Shivers, a chemist for the company DuPont. His main goal in the development of a new elastic synthetic fiber was to replace rubber, rubber was used mainly for undergarments. Joseph Shivers

As you can see, the market for a stretch material was heavily advertised in the early 1900’s. The picture on the left is from 1909 and the one on the right is from the 1940’s. The girdle was a woman’s go to product in the wardrobe, yet, the properties of rubber cause it to wear down quickly and leading companies to begin researching for a more durable product.

This is a rubber girdle. Looks comfy, right??

Spandex is Lycra Lycra is the brand name for spandex. Originally called Fibre K The formula for spandex polymer was highly protected and highly coveted. Spandex is woven with other materials when creating clothing Cotton Denim Nylon Polyester Often confused for two different products, spandex is lycra. Lycra is the brand name for Dupont’s new founded textile spandex. Originally called Fibre K, it was quickly changed to Lycra and has been marketed as that ever since. Lycra changed the world of undergarments, creating a lighter and more breathable fabric that lasted. Because of it’s capabilities the formula for spandex was highly desired by competitors and, aptly so, highly protected by DuPont. It didn’t take long before Lycra or spandex expanded into other lines or materials. You can often find spandex woven with other materials like cotton, denim, and polyester, as well as nylon.

The new and improved Lycra girdle The new and improved Lycra girdle. While girdles eventually faded out from daily wear the uses for spandex didn’t.

The 1960’s -Lycra quickly became adapted into swimwear as well. -The breathable and quick drying nature of spandex appealed to manufacturers and consumers alike. Swimwear was a natural choice for spandex and in the 1960’s it became the top choice. It stretched to fit all body types and it dried quickly.

The 1970’s -By the 70’s spandex had become more common in clothing -It also lent it’s stretching nature to costuming and the Hollywood scene. Spandex showed up more and more in everyday clothing, like these shiny spandex wetsuit pants. However, even more common was the place spandex was taking in costuming and theatrics, like Lynda Carter as Wonder Woman in a full spandex suit.

The 1980’s Spandex in the 1980’s needs no introduction. Leggings and activewear became an everyday essential.

The 1990’s -The 90’s blessed us with stretch denim, leggings (started in the 80s-continued to 90s), shoes with spandex, t-shirts, and skirts. -Probably at this point, most people could find at least one article of clothing in their closet with a spandex blend. By the 1990’s spandex was being worked with other fibers and stretch denim was introduced.

2000’s and Beyond! -Today you will see Spandex in clothing from everyday wear to activewear to costumes and accessories and to support and shapewear. -My personal favorite for spandex is costuming. You can push the fabric to the limits and it’ll still come back to you! Currently, you could look in any direction and find some use of spandex in apparel. Shapewear, like spanx, leggings, activewear (often worn as everyday wear) and stretch everything we see the multiple applications of spandex. In addition the growth in popularity of cosplay, the costuming use of spandex is also more prevalent, and happens to be my most favorite use of spandex.