e spandex. Aquatic Designs Inc. VapourFlex uses 10% Dorlastan in a stretch, weather-tough amphibious fabric to increase stretch durability. The Miracle Suit Collection by Miratex, features a fiber that is said to deliver three times the holding power of regular swimsuit material. Some companies are using neoprene in conjunction with Nylon and Lycra. Neoprene keeps its shape for a long time, often longer than its companion fabrics do. Neoprene has to be constructed like a wetsuit - darts or princess seams are the only way to accommodate a large bust, so in strategic places it can act like a girdle.Speedo launched Fastskin, made of Lycra and polyester super stretch fabric that compress muscles reducing drag and muscle vibration. The suit is supposed to reduce resistance by 7% and increase performance by 3%. (Barker)However the new fabrics are increasing the prices charged for suits. Fashion and performance suits can now be priced between $80-$100. The full body Fastskin suits cost upwards of $400 per suit. Critics are now discussing the ethics behind these suits. Brent Rashall, professor of exercise and nutritional sciences at the San Diego State University, writes in the Swimming Science Journal, No costume should give one swimmer a competitive advantage over anotherIf this is allowed then it will not be long before races are won by the swimmer who has sufficient money to buy the most enhancing suit available. The critics are concerned that the rising costs for the technologically advanced suits will lead swimming performance to become based on money rather than on skill. Other recent trends are new labeling systems that make shopping easier for women. The system allows women to search for suits by suggesting various solutions to a number of body problems. The six choices are: 1.Bust Minimizer2.Bust Maximizer3.Full-Cup Support4.Tummy/Midriff Toner5.Long Torso6.Hip/Thigh MinimizerNumbers and colours then categorize the suits into styl...
