Skip to content
Fabric knowledge

Stretch Percentage vs Stretch Recovery

Why elongation and recovery answer different questions, and how to write a better stretch brief for leggings, compression, swim and fitted performance garments.

For Brands & brand owners · Retail & private-label teams · Garment manufacturers & suppliers · Uniform & institutional suppliers · Tender-led suppliers · Buying houses & sourcing agents

Stretch percentage

Stretch percentage describes how far a fabric can extend from its relaxed dimension under a defined method and load. The result depends on test direction and method, so a percentage without a method is incomplete.

Stretch recovery

Recovery describes how well the fabric returns toward its original dimension after extension. Two fabrics can show similar elongation but behave differently after repeated wear or loading.

Write the requirement clearly

Specify wale and course direction where relevant, target elongation, recovery expectation, conditioning and test method. For close-fitting garments, confirm opacity and recovery on the intended pattern as well as on a laboratory strip.

Apply the method to your own order.

Final fabric suitability depends on the approved specification, processing route, garment construction and agreed test requirements.

Have a correction or a practical question? Contact Trustex Industries.