Why there is elastane in basics

Short answer: Without elastane, knit loses its shape during the day and does not recover. A few percent is enough for a garment to fit the same from morning to evening. The trade off is that the stretch wears out first, so washing and drying matter.

Knit alone does not bounce back

Pure viscose knit can stretch, but it recovers slowly and only in part. The stitches stay where they were pulled, and the fabric bags at knees, elbows and hips. Elastane pulls the stitches back into place, as you notice in a bamboo slip that should lie smooth against the body all day.

The fit lasts all day

With elastane, waistbands, sleeves and necklines sit the same after eight hours, and the garment still looks new in the afternoon. You do not need to tug or adjust it. The same goes for bamboo sweat clothes, where cuffs and hems should stay close at wrist and waist after a full day.

A small amount is enough

Elastane works in small amounts because it sits in every stitch. It does not take much before the fabric gets the spring it needs. That is also why the amount is kept low, so the viscose still decides the feel. The fabric should feel soft, not rubbery, and that needs elastane to play a small part.

The cost is lifespan

Elastane breaks down faster than viscose, especially from heat, which is why the stretch fails first. Wash cold to get the most out of the most popular pieces from Copenhagen Bamboo, and let them dry on a hanger or flat. That keeps the spring longer, so you can wear them for many seasons.

Heat is the main enemy

Tumble dryers, hot washes and an iron close to the fabric are hard on elastane. The fibres turn brittle and lose the ability to pull together. You see it as slack edges and a slightly shiny surface. Use a low temperature at every step and let clothes dry in peace. It is the simplest way to extend their life.

How to tell the elastane is worn

When elastane starts to fail, the waistband loosens and the garment no longer pulls back after washing. The fabric may still look fine, but the fit is not the same. It happens gradually, so you often notice only when you compare it with a new piece of the same style. That is normal wear.

Why not just a denser knit

You could make the fabric denser and thicker instead of adding elastane. But then the garment turns heavier and warmer and loses its light, soft feel. Elastane gives shape without making the fabric thick. That is why a thin basic can sit close and still feel light, even on warm days.

Elastane in daily life

In daily life elastane means you can move freely without clothes staying in the wrong shape. You can bend, reach and sit for a long time, and the garment follows. That makes basics easier to wear, because they look the same all day and you do not need to change in the afternoon.

Frequently asked questions

How much elastane is normal

Two to eight percent, depending on the type of garment. Close fitting pieces usually have a little more, while loose ones need less.

Can you feel elastane

Not directly, but you notice that the fabric recovers after stretching instead of staying in the shape it was pulled into.

Is elastane a problem for breathability

Not in small amounts, but above ten percent you notice it, because the fabric turns denser and lets less air through than pure viscose.