Wholesale Elastic for Clothing – Types and Selection

Elastic for clothing – which type for which product

Elastics for clothing look similar on the roll but behave very differently in the finished garment. One elastic is soft and pleasant against the skin, another holds a pair of jeans in place every time you bend, a third serves as a tie or a loop. This page is an overview of all the types of elastic Polkom supplies wholesale and helps you choose the right type before you send an enquiry. For detailed information on a specific type, go to the relevant subcategory.

Every textile elastic consists of elastomeric yarns (rubber or spandex) covered or combined with polyester, polyamide or cotton. The difference between the types comes from how these yarns are bound together – by knitting, weaving or braiding – and this determines softness, strength and stretch behaviour.

Main types of elastic

Knitted elastic

Soft, light and flexible, with a smooth surface. Suitable for lingerie, nightwear, childrenswear, sports tops and light to medium fabrics. It can be sewn directly to the fabric without losing much of its stretch. Details on the knitted elastic page.

Woven elastic

The most stable type – dense, with distinct ribs and edges; it keeps its width when stretched and does not roll. It is used for trouser and skirt waistbands, belts, workwear and products under constant load. See woven elastic.

Round and flat elastic cords

Thin round elastics are used for button loops, face masks, hair ties, tags and packaging. When you need a non-stretch drawstring, see our cords.

Decorative elastics

Elastics with a woven logo, jacquard pattern, lurex yarn or picot edge are used visibly – on lingerie, sportswear and belts – and become part of the brand identity.

How to choose an elastic

Four parameters matter most: fabric, load, width and attachment method. A quick guide:

• fine lingerie, swimwear, childrenswear – narrow knitted elastic, soft against the skin;
• joggers, leggings, nightwear – knitted elastic 20–40 mm, inserted in a casing or sewn on;
• jeans, trousers, skirts, workwear – woven elastic that does not roll;
• belts and visible logo bands – custom jacquard woven elastic;
• loops, face masks, packaging – thin round elastic.

Widths start at a few millimetres for lingerie and go up to 50 mm and more for belts. If you are unsure, send us a description of the product and fabric – we will recommend a type and width and prepare a sample if needed.

Colours, logo and custom production

Elastics are available in white, black and a wide range of standard colours, and on request we dye them to Pantone or to a sample. For brands we make elastics with a woven-in logo or lettering – a solution often used for lingerie and sportswear. Minimum quantities depend on the article – send an enquiry.

Wholesale elastics from Polkom

• knitted and woven elastics from stock in the most popular widths;
• production in your colour and with your logo to the client's design;
• fast sampling before bulk production;
• delivery across the EU;
• advice on choosing an elastic to suit the fabric and the pattern.

Elastics are part of our wider haberdashery range. Write to us via the contact page or at info@polkom.com with the type, width, colour and quantity.