Polyester is a reasonably new (invented in 1941) human-made artificial fiber that withstands heavy wearing and washing, which makes it perfect as sportswear.
It doesn’t wrinkle, shrink, or fade, and it’s exceptionally durable. Elastane, which is even newer (developed in the late 1950s), also known as spandex or lycra, is also a synthetic fiber. It’s best known for its over-the-top elasticity. It easily stretches up to six times its length, after which it returns to its original shape.
Polyester-spandex blends have different powers, which greatly benefit activewear utility: the stretch of elastane and the longevity of polyester.
DRI-FIT technology in leggings is an innovation to polyester, a response to the original polyester’s lack of breathability. Previously, it was a reason why polyester-made apparel used to trap sweat against the skin. The Dri-FIT microfiber assists in dispersing sweat across the fabric’s surface so that it evaporates faster. Also, the skin benefits from Dri-FIT’s cooling system construction. The more direct the contact between the body and Dri-FIT microfiber, the better.
