Nylon (polyamide) fabric
Petroleum. Nylon and polyamide are the same thing: polyamide is the chemical name, nylon the first brand (DuPont, 1935) that became generic.
Also called: PA, polyamide
How it feels
Smooth, elastic and very strong.
Season: Spring and autumn; next to skin it can feel stuffy in the heat.
What it's used for
Tights, swimwear, jackets, activewear.
Tights, swimwear, light jackets and bags. A nylon jacket is the core of sporty style.
Pros
- Extremely abrasion-resistant
- Stretchy and fast-drying
Cons
- Breathes poorly
- Sun weakens and yellows it
Care: a typical label
Always follow your own garment's label – blends and finishes change the care.
How it's constructed
Plain weave. The simplest weave: each thread goes over one, under one. Strong, matte, the same on both sides, but creases more easily.
A little history
Nylon debuted in stockings in 1939 – four million pairs sold on the first day. In WWII it went into parachutes.
How to recognise it
Synthetics are smooth, often slightly shiny, light and crease-free. They melt as they burn, smell of plastic and leave a hard bead.
Sustainability
Made from oil, don't biodegrade and shed microplastics in the wash. Recycled polyester (rPET) cuts oil use but not microfibre shedding; filter wash bags catch it.
When buying
Synthetics are great for sport, but for next-to-skin wear choose blends with natural or regenerated fibres – they breathe better and hold less odour.
Compare it
Frequently asked
01What is nylon (polyamide)?
Petroleum. Nylon and polyamide are the same thing: polyamide is the chemical name, nylon the first brand (DuPont, 1935) that became generic.
02Is nylon (polyamide) a natural fabric?
No – it's a synthetic fibre made from petroleum.
03Does nylon (polyamide) shrink?
No – nylon (polyamide) hardly shrinks, unless washed or ironed very hot.
04Is nylon (polyamide) breathable?
Only so-so: nylon (polyamide) doesn't absorb moisture, it moves it along – fine for sport, less so next to skin on a hot day.