Fabric & Sustainability · 5 min read
Key takeaways
- Chlorine destroys standard swimwear fabric quickly, a quality suit is the only sustainable option for regular swimmers
- The cost per swim of a quality chlorine-resistant suit is significantly lower than replacing cheap suits repeatedly
- Fast fashion swimwear contributes to microplastic pollution and landfill, longevity is sustainability
- JAYD uses premium Italian performance fabric and a 100% PBT lining, built to last multiple seasons
- Caring for your suit properly extends its life further, rinsing, hand washing, and shade drying all matter
There is a version of this conversation that happens at the beginning of every season. You find a suit you love, you wear it through summer, and by the time autumn rolls around it is faded, saggy, and doing absolutely nothing for you.
You tell yourself it is because you swim a lot. And you do swim a lot, but that is not the real reason. The real reason is that the suit was never built for it.
Here is the case for spending more once, and spending less forever.
Why does chlorine destroy swimwear so quickly?
Chlorine is a highly effective disinfectant, and an equally effective fabric destroyer. Standard swimwear is made from elastane and nylon blends that chlorine breaks down at a molecular level, attacking the fibres that give the suit its stretch, shape, and colour.
The degradation is not linear. A suit might feel completely fine for the first month of training, and then deteriorate rapidly as the chemical damage accumulates. The fading you notice is the symptom. The stretch dying is the cause.
For casual swimmers this might mean replacing a suit once a season. For squad swimmers, surf lifesavers, and anyone training multiple times a week, the timeline can be considerably shorter, sometimes as little as six to eight weeks before significant wear is visible.
What is the real cost of cheap swimwear?
This is where the maths gets interesting. Most people look at the price tag of a quality swimsuit and compare it to the price of a cheaper one. But that is not the right comparison. The right comparison is cost per swim, and over a season of regular training, quality wins every time.
| Scenario | Standard swimwear | JAYD performance swimwear |
|---|---|---|
| Purchase price | $40–$110 | $90 |
| Lifespan (training 4x per week) | 6–10 weeks | 12–24 months |
| Suits needed per year | 4–6 suits | 1 suit (possibly 2 in rotation) |
| Annual cost | $160–$360 | $90-$180 |
| Suits in landfill per year | 4–6 | 0–1 |
The numbers speak for themselves. A quality chlorine-resistant suit pays for itself within the first season for any swimmer training regularly, and continues to save money every season after that.
Why is fast fashion swimwear bad for the environment?
The environmental cost of cheap swimwear goes beyond what ends up in landfill, though that alone is significant. Standard fashion swimwear is typically made from virgin synthetic fibres produced through energy and water-intensive manufacturing processes. When these suits degrade in the water, they also shed microplastics, tiny synthetic fibres that pass through water treatment systems and enter the ocean, where they are ingested by marine life and accumulate in the food chain.
A suit that lasts one season and gets replaced four times produces four times the microplastic shedding, four times the manufacturing footprint, and four times the landfill impact of a suit that lasts four seasons. Longevity is not just a financial argument. It is a sustainability one.
What makes JAYD chlorine-resistant swimwear different?
JAYD Swimwear is an Australian performance swimwear brand built for women who train and compete in the water. Every JAYD suit is made from two key materials working together:
Premium Italian performance fabric
Sourced from Italy - the global benchmark for high-performance textile manufacturing. Engineered for chlorine resistance, colour retention, and shape stability across seasons of serious use. Made from regenerated materials including recycled ocean waste, reducing the environmental footprint of every suit from the moment it is made.
100% PBT lining
PBT is a chlorine-proof lining material used in competitive racing swimwear. Unlike standard nylon linings that sag and go transparent within weeks of pool use, a 100% PBT lining maintains its compression, opacity, and structure through hundreds of training sessions. It is where most brands cut corners, and where JAYD does not.
The result is a suit that performs consistently from the first session to the last, season after season. For more on what makes performance fabric different from fashion fabric, read our post on what makes JAYD swimwear fabric different.
How can you extend the life of your swimwear further?
Even the best chlorine-resistant suit benefits from the right care routine. The habits that extend suit life the most are also the simplest.
Rinse immediately after every swim. Chlorine continues breaking down fabric fibres even after you get out of the pool. A cold fresh water rinse within minutes of finishing removes chlorine before it causes lasting damage.
Hand wash only. Machine washing, even on a gentle cycle, is too aggressive for performance swimwear. Hand wash in cool water with a gentle detergent and rinse thoroughly.
Dry flat in the shade. UV exposure degrades fabric even when dry. Tumble drying causes irreversible damage. Lay flat in a shaded, ventilated space.
Rotate between two suits. Giving each suit 24 hours to dry and recover between sessions significantly extends the lifespan of both. For swimmers training four or more times a week, two suits in rotation is the minimum.
For the full care routine including how to store your suit between seasons, read our swimwear care guide.
Is chlorine-resistant swimwear worth the higher price?
For anyone swimming more than twice a week, yes, unequivocally. The cost per swim of a quality chlorine-resistant suit is lower than a cheap suit within the first season, and continues to be lower every season after that. You also get a suit that actually performs, holds its shape, maintains its colour, and stays secure in the water. Rather than one you are managing around by month two.
For casual swimmers who get in the water once or twice a month, the equation is closer. But even then, a suit that lasts three or four years at that frequency versus one that needs replacing annually is still the better investment both financially and environmentally.
Browse the JAYD chlorine-resistant swimwear range built to last, designed to love.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is chlorine-resistant swimwear worth the extra cost?
Yes, for anyone swimming more than twice a week, the cost per swim of a quality chlorine-resistant suit is lower than a cheaper suit within the first season. A standard fashion suit used for regular pool or ocean training typically shows significant degradation within six to ten weeks. A quality suit with a 100% PBT lining can last multiple seasons, making it significantly cheaper over time.
How long does chlorine-resistant swimwear last?
A well-made chlorine-resistant suit used for regular training can last twelve to twenty-four months or longer with proper care. The exact lifespan depends on training frequency, care habits, and the quality of the fabric and lining. JAYD suits are made with premium Italian performance fabric and a 100% PBT lining specifically for long-term durability under serious training loads.
Why is fast fashion swimwear bad for the environment?
Fast fashion swimwear is typically made from virgin synthetic fibres through energy and water-intensive processes. As the suits degrade in water they shed microplastics, tiny synthetic fibres that pass through water treatment and enter the ocean. Replacing suits frequently multiplies this environmental impact. A suit that lasts multiple seasons produces a fraction of the microplastic shedding and manufacturing footprint of one replaced seasonally.
What is PBT lining and why does it matter?
PBT is a chlorine-proof lining material used in high-performance swimwear. Unlike standard nylon linings that sag, go transparent, and lose compression within weeks of regular pool use, a 100% PBT lining maintains its structure through hundreds of training sessions. It is the most significant differentiator between a training suit that lasts a season and one that lasts several.
How do I make my swimsuit last longer?
Rinse in cold fresh water immediately after every swim, hand wash rather than machine wash, dry flat in the shade rather than in a dryer or direct sunlight, and rotate between two suits so each one has 24 hours to recover between sessions. Starting with a quality chlorine-resistant suit and a full PBT lining gives you the best foundation, care habits extend that further.
Does JAYD swimwear use sustainable materials?
Yes, JAYD's Italian performance fabric is made from regenerated materials including recycled ocean waste, using less energy and water than virgin fabric production. Beyond the material itself, the durability of JAYD suits means fewer replacements and less textile waste over time. A suit that lasts three seasons instead of one represents a meaningful reduction in environmental footprint.