Stretch lace is the single biggest group we hold — around 340 designs in nylon-spandex alone — because it is what most lingerie runs on. Choosing the right one is less about the pattern than about five technical points.
1. Fibre: nylon-spandex or poly-spandex
Nylon-spandex has the softer hand, the better recovery and, crucially, it dyes to a Pantone. This is the default for bras, briefs, bralettes and bodysuits. Poly-spandex is firmer, more colourfast and cheaper; choose it for printed lace, for items washed at high temperature, or for budget lines where dye-to-match is not required. See poly-spandex lace.
2. Stretch and recovery
Ask for the stretch percentage across the width (the direction that goes around the body). For bands and back wings you want 20% or more with full recovery; for cups and front panels a firmer 10–15% is often better so the lace does not distort. Test recovery yourself: stretch a 10 cm section ten times and measure. If it does not return within 2–3 mm, it will bag in wear.
3. Usable width and edge
Most of our stretch lace is 150 cm wide, but the number that matters is the width inside the scallops. A double-scalloped lace loses a few centimetres each side. For bralettes and briefs, an eyelash edge saves the hemming operation entirely and is worth the small premium. For seamless styles, look at free-cut lace — the edge is sealed and needs no finishing.
4. Pattern scale and repeat
Small motifs cut more efficiently on small pieces (briefs, bra cups). Large placement florals look better on bodysuits and slips but waste more in the marker. Check the repeat length against your pattern pieces before you commit to 300 metres.
5. Colour programme
Core colours (black, white, nude) are usually held in stock and cut from 30 metres per colour. Fashion colours are custom dyed: send a Pantone reference or a physical swatch, receive a lab dip in 7–10 days, minimum 300 metres per colour. Plan your seasonal palette around that lead time. Details on quality & sampling.
A quick specification template
- Base: nylon-spandex, ~85/15
- Width: 150 cm, usable 140 cm, double scallop
- Stretch: ≥20% width, full recovery
- Edge: eyelash
- Colours: black and nude from stock; two fashion colours custom dyed
- Quantity: 30 m per stock colour for sampling, 300 m per custom colour for bulk
Send us a spec like this and we can narrow our range to a handful of candidates in minutes.
Sourcing lace for a collection? Send us the end use, the base you have in mind and the metres per colour, and we will post up to five free swatches within 48 hours anywhere in Vietnam. Request swatches or message us on Zalo / WhatsApp +84 362 887 928.