Invista is taking advantage of New York Fashion Week to tout the latest development in its XFit Lycra spandex stretch fiber.
XFit, which gives denim a four-way stretch, was launched last year and has been praised by premium denim designers for its ability to deliver better fit and comfort without compromising the denim’s structure or long-term endurance. Invista updated XFit by combining the product with its T400 fiber, allowing designers to use aggressive washes and abrasions.
“By adding a second technology to XFit, we’re giving designers as well as mills the ability to work with a wider variety of fabrics,” said Robert Kirkwood, technical director of Invista Apparel.
Invista patented the technology and is licensing XFit to select mills, brands and retailers. J Brand and Serfontaine, both of which have been using XFit since its introduction, are the first to sign on as licensees and will have products incorporating the new technology hitting stores this month.
Stretch fibers have been used sparingly by denim designers, generally accounting for just 2 to 5 percent of a garment’s fiber content. In large part, this has been because higher percentages of stretch fiber often came at the expense of the denim’s feel and its ability to withstand repeated wear and washing.
“For consumers, the biggest issue with synthetics is shrinkage,” Kirkwood said.
Jean Hegedus, marketing manager for Invista’s ready-to-wear business, said designers and consumers also wanted to avoid giving the denim a rubbery or sticky feel. Kirkwood said XFit maintained the feel of the garment and actually helped it withstand a wider array of treatments. As a result, the stretch content of jeans using XFit is substantially higher than has been generally seen before. In some cases, stretch content exceeds 20 percent.
“The amount [of stretch fiber] in the garment doesn’t determine the level of stretch,” Kirkwood said. “It’s how you design using it.”