Is it Called Neoprene or Scuba Knit?
Neoprene or Scuba Knit, Scuba Knit or Neoprene.
If you are shopping online for garments and/or fabric you better know what you are buying as it can make a huge difference in use and wearability. (Online shopping does not allow for physical inspection which will display the obvious difference. Sewers should order fabric swatches.)
Neoprene, Scuba Knit, Ponte
The hottest fabrics around are Hot–literally and figuratively. Neoprene, Scuba Knit and Ponte are the darlings of the fashion and sewing world. They are also hot (uncomfortable) to wear due to their thermal and moisture retention properties, but more about that later.
The issue here is the misleading/mislabeling information both in RTW and sewing fabrics. RTW is glomming unto the term ‘Neoprene’ as it links to a fashionable, recognizable trend in aquatic wear moving from the beach to the street. And ‘scuba’ is already used in the dive suit industry. Other designers and manufacturers are using the term ‘Scuba Knit’ to describe a knit that mimics (sort of) the texture of Neoprene.
Using the terms Neoprene and Scuba Knit interchangeably and together is the real issue as they are not one and the same.
Difference between Neoprene, Scuba Knit and Ponte
- Neoprene is a foam of synthetic rubber (polychloroprene) formed, along with other ingredients, through heat and pressure into a sheet, usually sandwiched between knit fabrics of polyester or nylon, with the addition of Lycra/Spandex.
- Scuba Knit is a doubleknit made primarily of very fine filaments (microfiber) of polyester but may include rayon, Lycra/Spandex, acetate.
- Ponte is also a doubleknit made of thicker fibers of polyester often in combination with rayon and Lycra/Spandex.
False and Misleading Examples
From Elle magazine: How to Wear Neoprene: Summer’s Must Have Material
There are 24 items in this article; some are Neoprene and some are not. You need to click through to the source site and check the data.
This screen shot is from the designer, Clover Canyon, an LA womenswear brand . Note the description calls it a ‘neoprene knit’ but the content does not list neoprene, synthetic rubber, or polychloroprene. Can’t blame Elle for the mis-label as they are quoting directly from the designer.
This one from the same Elle article is labeled correctly. Note content includes “32% synthetic rubber”.

Screen shot of Pucci Jacket data
Here are a couple of facsimiles of online fabric postings to help you see what to look for–orange comments are my own.
1. _______Neoprene – mislabeled
Product Description
Content: Acetate Poly Lycra – no mention of Neoprene, synthetic rubber
Type/Weave: Neoprene Knit – Neoprene is a foam product, not a type of knit; nor is it a fiber that can be knit or woven
Width: 60
Care: Machine wash gentle, lay flat to dry, cool iron
Uses: Dress Skirt Pants Jacket
Colors:
Needle: Stretch 70/10
Stretch: 75% crosswise
2. XXXXXXX Double-Faced Neoprene/Scuba Fabric – better, see below
- Product Details
Neoprene
Neoprene is newest to the fashion scene even though it has been around since the 1930’s.
Neoprene was invented by DuPont in the 1930’s as a synthetic rubber. The plastic is a flexible, rubbery material that can be foamed with nitrogen gas to produce an insulating and shock protection product used in wet suits and tablet and laptop sleeves. These very properties make Neoprene popular in the medical industry as joint braces. Other desirable properties are chemical inertness, and thermal, oil, water, and solvent resistance.
Up until the early 2000’s, Neoprene was used exclusively for aquatic wear and commercial applications–gaskets, hoses, padding, noise insulation, weather stripping, etc., as well as medical support devices such as joint braces.
The current product is thanks to the development of the sport wetsuit/scuba wear in the 1950’s. Pure Neoprene is clingy and uncomfortable to wear and it was soon discovered that fabric could be laminated to the foam. Further improvements are now standard:
- Double-faced Neoprene is a foam core laminated between layers of a very fine knit polyester or nylon
- Neoprene’s distinguishing feature is a foam core in 2mm, 3mm, 4mm, 5mm thickness (other thicknesses are available for commercial uses)
- Lycra/Spandex added to the outer layers provides more flexibility, recovery, stability, and abrasion resistance
- Exterior fabric properties permits dyeing and printing, often in intense colors
A cross-section of Neoprene shows the defining foam thickness indicative of the product. The cross-section photos also show the ribbed knit texture of the laminated fabrics.
The foam core is available in 2mm, 3mm, 4mm and 5mm thickness. The 2mm and 3mm are the most suitable for garments.
Designer and RTW Neoprene Fashion
In the 2000’s fashion designers began experimenting with the fabric in fashion garments, probably because the foam supports any garment shape without the addition of interfacing, crinolines, boning, etc.
Here we see the terms Neoprene and Scuba combined to describe this new fashion. Scuba is probably added as the fabric was originally used for scuba diving and the designs reflect that influence.

Neoprene-Scuba dress by Alexander Wang
This is a sport pant taking advantage of the thermal property of Neoprene. Apparently, exercising in a Neoprene garment can cause weight loss due to increased metabolism–it doesn’t breathe, is moisture resistant (won’t wick moisture away from skin) and insulates–it’s hot!–encourages sweating.
Now consider the fashion dresses pictured above and envision their comfort factor. Perhaps there is a reason most of the dresses/tops are sleeveless, albeit close-fitting, at least through the bodice.
Neoprene Fabric Sources
This double-faced Neoprene is sandwiched between two layers of polyester fabric and is available in a wide combination of colors from Mood Fabrics. It is sold by the yard.
Seattle Fabrics Neoprene is also sandwiched between fabrics but one side is always black. They also carry a Neoprene with a black fabric on one side and Neoprene ‘smooth skin’ or ‘mesh skin’ on the other side. This particular format is more suited to sport and aquatic garments as the Neoprene will cling to the body. It is sold by the square foot, linear foot or as a sheet (48″ X 80″). This is a convenient way to order if you need small pieces for kozies, wine coolers, etc.
Please post other Neoprene fabric sources in the Comments.
Related Posts
See Wearing, Sewing Neoprene–Yes? No? Maybe? for what to sew and how to sew Neoprene.
And, all about Scuba Knit, the Apparel Neoprene.
Pingback: generic cialis daily pricing
Pingback: current business ethics issues essay
Pingback: generic cialis daily pricing
Pingback: help me write a descriptive essay
Pingback: write my essay online reviews
Pingback: how to write an intro for a research paper
Pingback: legitimate essay writing service
Pingback: buy cialis shipping canada
Pingback: order original cialis online
Pingback: comprar viagra online seguro
Pingback: how to get ciails without a doctor
Pingback: cialis 20 mg cost
Pingback: canadian pharmacy generic viagra
Pingback: cialis
Pingback: si funciona cialis
Pingback: sildenafil citrate fildena
Pingback: how long does neuropathy last from zithromax
Pingback: ability cymbalta
Pingback: hoe lang werkt een viagra pil
Pingback: cialis tadalafil portugal
Pingback: when to take viagra 100mg
Pingback: keflex vs amoxicillin
Pingback: celecoxib
Pingback: nxmrwsoa
Pingback: prednisone and azithromycin
Pingback: buy cialis philippines
Pingback: where can i buy cialis without a prescription
Pingback: amoxicillin for eye infection
Pingback: how to get off cymbalta
Pingback: what is cephalexin medication used for
Pingback: buy cialis cheaper online
Pingback: celecoxib 100mg capsules
Pingback: azithromycin tab 250mg
Pingback: can i take tylenol with amoxicillin
Pingback: to buy viagra super force in london
Pingback: cialis 20mg low price
Pingback: drugs from canada
Pingback: cialis overnight shipment
Pingback: cialis without prescriptions canada
Pingback: buy cialis tadalafil tablets
Pingback: cialis for daily use
Pingback: cheap genieric cialis
Pingback: generic cialis daily pricing
Pingback: herbal cialis australia
Pingback: viagra viagra gold or black
Pingback: 30 day cialis trial offer
Pingback: viagra cost per pill walmart
Pingback: where to bay cialis (tadalafil) pills 80mg
Pingback: side effects of viagra
Pingback: viagra on steroids
Pingback: viagra accident
Pingback: does viagra expire
Pingback: revatio vs viagra
Pingback: cialis otc
Pingback: citalopram causes shaking
Pingback: celecoxib routes
Pingback: carvedilol side effects eye
Pingback: buspar lowest dose
Pingback: buspirone
Pingback: viagra
Pingback: coffee kratom bupropion
Pingback: baclofen atenolol
Pingback: baclofen and heart problems
Pingback: canada pharmaceuticals online generic
Pingback: canadian pharmaceuticals online reviews
Pingback: pharmacy online
Pingback: azithromycin iv
Pingback: atorvastatin 153
Pingback: online pharmacies of canada
Pingback: aripiprazole dopamine agonist
Pingback: amoxicillin and breastfeeding
Pingback: what is amlodipine besylate
Pingback: how quickly does amitriptyline work
Pingback: amiodarone 200 mg tablet
Pingback: allopurinol 300 mg darby dental
Pingback: what tier is aripiprazole
Pingback: how long does it take viagra to work
Pingback: can you snort tizanidine
Pingback: viagra without prescription
Pingback: oxybutynin 10mg price
Pingback: ciprofloxacin hcl vs doxycycline
Pingback: cheap tadalafil
Pingback: what can i take to enhance cialis
Pingback: tadalafil for sale
Pingback: goodrx cialis
Pingback: cephalexin testicle swelling
Pingback: custom college essay
Pingback: order cialis online us
Pingback: womens viagra
Pingback: buy levitra online
Pingback: viagra generico
Pingback: what chemicals are in augmentin
Pingback: viagra substitute
Pingback: viagra 100mg generic
Pingback: proquest thesis search
Pingback: thesis writing online
Pingback: purchase college research papers
Pingback: cheapest essays writing services
Pingback: analysis essay help
Pingback: dissertation research proposal
Pingback: what is the best custom essay site
Pingback: can you write my paper for me
Pingback: co lepsze viagra czy cialis
Pingback: generic cialis
Pingback: viagra vs levitra
Pingback: cialis reviews by men
Pingback: via best buy viagra
Pingback: sildenafil 50 mg
Pingback: atorvastatin rx
Pingback: tadalafil dosage
Pingback: buy levitra 20mg
Pingback: levitra for sale
Pingback: viagra cock
Pingback: viagra naturale
Pingback: stendra vs viagra
Pingback: sophia viagra hot
Pingback: viagra cialis
Pingback: us pharmacy viagra
Pingback: herbal viagra
Pingback: cialis canada
Pingback: levitra 20 mg
Pingback: cialis medication
Pingback: viagra connect
Pingback: sildenafil 50mg
Pingback: cialis price
Pingback: Brand name viagra overnight
I would recommend Cialis as a really great medication to increase potency. It even acts much more efficiently than Viagra. You can buy Cialis at cialnow.com, a reliable online pharmacy. I personally guarantee the quality of Cialis because the drug was tested on me.
Pingback: The Apparel Neoprene--Scuba Knit ·
Pingback: Wearing, Sewing Neoprene--Yes? No? Maybe? ·
A really great post. Not that I was planning a Neoprene dress, but its good to know!