Manufacturer · Fashion & Home Accessories
Silicone elastic (gripper elastic) is an elastic with a silicone layer applied to its inner side – dots, stripes, waves or a solid band. The silicone grips the skin lightly and stops the garment from sliding. It is used on the leg openings of cycling shorts, the top edge of strapless bras and off-the-shoulder dresses, hold-up stockings, the cuffs of sports jerseys and the hem of shirts and blouses.
How silicone elastic works
Ordinary elastic holds a garment through pressure – the tighter it is, the better it holds, but the more it presses. The silicone layer adds friction against the skin. This means the elastic can be softer and less tight while the garment still stays in place. That is more comfortable for long wear and during movement, especially in sport.
Where it is used
| Product | Position | Typical width |
|---|---|---|
| Cycling shorts and leggings | Leg opening | 20–50 mm |
| Cycling and sports jerseys | Hem, cuffs | 15–40 mm |
| Strapless bras, bandeaus | Top edge, under the cups | 8–20 mm |
| Off-the-shoulder dresses and blouses | Top edge | 10–25 mm |
| Hold-up stockings | Top edge | 30–60 mm |
| Shirts and blouses worn tucked in | Hem, inner side | 10–20 mm |
| Lingerie and shapewear | Leg openings, waist | 10–30 mm |
Types of silicone patterns
- Dots – the most common. They give good grip, and the skin "breathes" between them.
- Lengthwise stripes – one or several lines. Suitable for narrow lingerie elastics.
- Waves and zigzag – hold in different directions of movement, often on cycling shorts.
- Solid layer – maximum grip but less breathability. Used on small areas.
- Silicone logo – the pattern is the logo or brand name itself; functional and branding at the same time.
Knitted or woven elastic with silicone
The base under the silicone can be knitted or woven. Soft knitted elastic with silicone suits lingerie, bras and delicate items worn next to the skin. Wider, denser elastic, often with high stretch and a smooth surface, is used on cycling shorts and sports jerseys. For products where the elastic carries a greater load, the base can be woven elastic. An overview of all types is in the elastics category.
How to sew silicone elastic
- Silicone facing inwards – towards the skin. Check the direction before sewing.
- Use a suitable foot. Silicone sticks to a metal presser foot. A Teflon foot or roller foot helps the elastic feed evenly.
- Sew through the textile part. If possible, the stitch runs along the edge without silicone. Piercing the silicone is not a problem, but it can reduce the grip at that point.
- Elastic stitch. Coverstitch, zigzag or overlock, which stretch together with the elastic.
- Tension when sewing. Silicone elastic is usually attached with less tension than ordinary elastic – the silicone takes over part of the job.
How to choose width and strength
The larger the silicone area, the better the elastic holds. That is why wide bands of 30–50 mm are used on the legs of cycling shorts and narrow ones on fine lingerie. If a garment slips, it is better to choose a wider elastic with more silicone than a tighter one – a tighter elastic will dig in and leave marks.
Washing and care
- wash at 30–40 °C, without aggressive detergents;
- avoid fabric softeners – they leave a film on the silicone and reduce grip;
- do not tumble dry at high temperature;
- do not iron the silicone part;
- air dry, away from radiators.
If the silicone loses its grip, the cause is usually a build-up of fabric softener or cosmetics – washing with ordinary detergent often restores the grip.
Sensitive skin
Silicone is an inert material and is usually well tolerated. For very sensitive skin and long wear, a dot pattern is more comfortable than a solid layer, because the skin breathes between the dots. For medical and special products, requirements are agreed separately with the manufacturer.
Common mistakes
- The silicone is sewn facing outwards.
- The elastic is stretched too much when sewing and digs in.
- Too narrow an elastic for a heavy product – the garment slips despite the silicone.
- A metal foot without Teflon – the elastic stalls and the seam is uneven.
- The product is washed with fabric softener.
Silicone elastic with logo
For sports brands, a silicone logo on the leg opening or jersey hem is a recognisable detail. The logo is applied as a silicone print on the elastic and at the same time holds the garment in place. It is prepared from a vector file, and the size and repeat are matched to the width of the elastic.
Testing before the production run
Silicone elastic must be tested on the actual product and in real use. Make several trial pieces and have them worn under the typical load – cycling, training or a full working day. Check that the leg opening or edge stays in place, that the elastic does not leave deep marks on the skin and that the silicone does not peel at the edges after a few washes. Wash the samples at least three or four times under the conditions on the care label. Only then fix the width, pattern and sewing tension in the style's tech pack.
Elastic and silicone colour
Silicone elastic is most often available in black and white, but for sports collections it is also dyed in the colour of the style. The silicone is usually clear, and coloured when used for branding.
Silicone elastics from Polkom
Polkom is a Bulgarian manufacturer of haberdashery and trims for clothing, based in Sofia. We supply knitted and woven elastics, including with decorative and functional coatings, to the client's specification, with samples and delivery across the EU. Minimum quantities depend on the article. Send a description of the product, the width and the desired pattern via our contact page.
