NikeSKIMS: Performance Sportswear or just… Plastic?
NikeSKIMS Vintage Seamless collection fiber content reviewed
NikeSKIMS released their first collection went on sale September 26, 2025: 7 collections, 58 silhouettes, and more than 10,000 ways to combine looks. It is not a collaboration, it is a new label.
Star athletes Serena Williams, Jordan Chiles, Sha’Carri Richardson, and, of course, co-founder of SKIMS Kim Kardashian are wearing the pieces, giving us sleek silhouettes, sexy shapes, and a smart color palette. In SKIMS fashion, it is a marketing home run.
Beyond the celebrity endorsements, smart branding, and sleek imagery, what are the Vintage Seamless collection pieces made of.
What the website says
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Breathable technology that keeps you cool while you move
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Light smoothing support perfect for the studio
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Ultra-soft, cotton-like feel with a vintage look
What the label says
89% Polyamide
It is a synthetic polymer, in short it is plastic. On US labels, you'll see it called nylon. It is known for its durability. Think of parachute materials during World War II, it is that strong.
Besides being durable, polyamide is also elastic. It can elongate under tension and bounce back to its original shape.
11% Elastane
Elastane is also known as Spandex in the US (a wordplay on “expands”). It is another synthetic fiber derived from petroleum.
It was initially developed in the 1950s as a replacement for rubber. It is known for its extreme elasticity which is why it is so popular in sportswear goods.
The Blend
Polyamide brings strength, while elastane adds much more recovery, so the garment fits close and moves with the body.
How much it compresses depends on both the elastane content (at 11% here) and how tightly the fabric is knit. Breathability, too, depends on the knit much more than on the fibers themselves.
Why not use natural fabrics?
The main draw of the Vintage Seamless line is its elasticity and softness. For skin-hugging sportswear, some synthetic fiber is inevitable: no natural fiber can replicate the stretch of elastane.
Could they have added cotton for softness? While soft, cotton absorbs sweat and dries slowly, making it a unsuitable for this type of sportswear.
Are there any alternatives to petroleum-based synthetic fibers then?
Yes. Tencel (lyocell) could be an alternative to polyamide. Tencel is a man-made fiber from wood pulp cellulose, and it is super soft. Blended with elastane, it could replace some of the polyamide. The main drawbacks: it is more expensive to produce and less durable than nylon, which may be why NikeSKIMS opted for polyamide.
NikeSKIMS, Serena Williams
The LFB Verdict 2.5/5
Moisture-wicking performance: Partly
Polyamide does moderately wick sweat: because it absorbs little moisture, sweat can move along the fibers and evaporate. NikeSKIMS claims the fabric features "breathable technology," but the fibers themselves don't breathe much. Airflow depends on the knit, and the structure of the knit is pretty tight. The claim would have to be tested over time.
Low compression: Yes
Elastane and polyamide provide light shaping support, and with 11% elastane, the label is consistent with the claim.
Worn-in finish: Yes, with an asterisk
The ultra-soft feel is achievable with finishes such as brushing, texturing, or softeners, but NikeSKIMS doesn't say which ones it uses. Polyamide and elastane are not naturally cotton-like fibers, and a finish may not last as long as the garment.
Overall, the Vintage Seamless collection should perform well in shaping and initial softness, but the true performance benefits may not fully match the marketing claims. LFB gives the Vintage Seamless collection a 2.5/5 score.