What Kinds of Fabrics Define Your Activewear in SS28? WGSN: 2 Macro Trends of Activewear Fabrics You Should Learn
Intertextile Shanghai had concluded with success, so did Arabella Clothing's developing team. Along with the themes of this exhibition: "Authenticity", "Visionary", "Longevity", the exhibition had brought Arabella team a foresight beyond materials. We enjoyed diving in this trip and witnessing the future of activewear industry.
Except for the novelty Arabella Clothing had found inside the exhibition, we also kept our eyes outside of the exhibition. At the beginning of this March, WGSN had released a forecast report of activewear fabrics in SS28. Thus today, combining with what we found this exhibition, Arabella Clothing would like to share you an overview and explanation of the fabric trends for activewear in SS28.
What Fabric Trends Will Shape Activewear in SS28?
In 2028, the criteria of performance will be redefined, while innovation no longer centers around technique metrics but the balance of tactility, durability and emotional value. Bio-based and natural fibers will become more competitive than conventional fossil-based synthetics. At the same time, textures and structures are keys to form the consumer's experience, driving the upgrade of functions as well as tactility of fabrics.
Based on the background above, WGSN had analyzed trends as below based on 2 macro directions: innovation of material and aesthetics.
Material: Innovation of Fabric & Fiber Structures
1.Regenerated Functionality
Continuing the revolutionary trends on bio-based material in AW 2027/2028, functionality will be redefined from the perspective of environmental protection. Regenerated materials featuring with climate-adaptation, durability and natural tactility should be considered primarily.
2.Protein-based Empowerment
Consumers are rejecting fossil-based materials, replacing them with high-performance bio-based fabrics to elevate function luxury.
3.Wool Creativity
Continuing the wool's trend of weather-resistance in AW27/28, wool blend fabrics can overturn consumers'conventional cognition by re-positioning the function of lightweight merino wool and functional blend.
4.Biological Smart Creation
Biological smart creation integrates renewable mechanism, climate adaptability, durability, recyclability and low-toxic design together.
5.Healthcare Wearable Appliance
Healthcare fibers are taking activewear beyond functionality toward therapeutic benefits, supporting physical recovery, promoting circulation, and enhancing skin-friendly comfort.
6.Invisible Temperature Regulation
Self-adaptive layering system incorporates breathable and comfortable designs into the creation of an invisible and effortless cooling experience.
Explanation & Suggestion from Arabella Clothing
Just like another previous trend report of future consumers released by WGSN, sustainability, authenticity, sensory and emotional value will become major factors leading the market. When it comes to activewear, it reflects on fabric compositions, functions and tactility at first, then garment fits. Here are some directions and suggestions from Arabella to help when you need to source the corresponding fabrics for your activewear collections.
Fabric Sourcing Suggestions:
Focus on recyclable, natural or bio-based blended fabrics with basic performance such as four-way stretch, low opacity, perspiration and ventilation management that power daily sport training. For example, wool and linen blend fabrics provide natural temperature regulation, while bio-based fabrics like protein-based or plant-based blend fabrics are an alternative to conventional synthetics like polyester or elastane.
Based on the trends, here are 3 sustainable fabrics as example that Arabella is utilizing and recommending for you.
Fabric No.:AB0062B
Composition: 70%Lenzing Mondal 20%Polyester 10%Spandex
Weight Gram: 200g
Width: 170cm
Features: Soft & Lightweight, Ultra Breathable, Moisture-wicking & Quick-dry
Application: Gym & Fitness, Pilates, Low-intensity Workout
Fabric No.:AB0027B
Composition: 76%Lenzing lyocell 16%Wool 8%Spandex (RWS Verified)
Weight Gram: 180g
Width: 160cm
Features: Ultra breathable & Lightweight, Soft against skin, Anti-stink
Application: Low-intensity Workout, Everyday Wear
Fabric No.:A99125B
Composition: 75% Recycled Polyamide 25% Elastane (OEKO-TEX & GRS Verified)
Weight Gram: 220g
Width: 160cm
Features: Four-way stretch, Breathable & Sweat-wicking, Squat-proof, Color Fastness in Grade 4
Application: Pilates Wear, Yoga Wear, Gym Wear
Aesthetics: Creativity of Surface & Textures
1.Wrinkle Appearance
Along with people's demand for comforting and reassuring textures, fine surface textures are being redefined as a performance advantage.
2.Premium Tactility
Go beyond everyday softness with refined surface like fleeces, grids or ribbed textures engineering to enhance warmth, breathability and sensory appeal.
3.Dynamic Sheen
Based on the metallic sheen trend for FW27/28, reflective design is evolving from a safety-driven functional element into a style statement, fueled by the growing popularity of urban functional training, night running, commuting and other activities.
4.Vintage Washed
Consumers value personalization more than ever. Product design should step closer to comfort, wearability and authenticity.
5.Summer Romance
The Summer Romance theme continues to gain momentum on the runways, evolving from last season's modern romantic aesthetic. Refined textures and fluid silhouettes soften the functional feel.
6.Ribbed Textures & Wrinkles
Use a double-yarn effect or gauze and natural stretch to enhance functionality and stretch recovery.
Explanation & Suggestion from Arabella Clothing
Consumer's pursuit for emotional value and sensory reflect on the fabrics appearance, textures as well as performance. As people's daily routines are merging together, activewear fabrics are taking responsibility for tackling people's versatile scenarios such as commuting or indoor and outdoor training. A fabric comes with catchy surface, comforting textures like ribbed and crinkle surfaces and functional performance will be on the top for your next activewear collection.
Based on these trends, here are 3 textured fabrics that Arabella is utilizing and recommending for you.
Fabric No.:AOT10462FB
Composition: 100% Polyester
Weight Gram: 145g
Width: 155cm
Features: Sweat-vanished & Breathable, Checkered Textures Lining, Quick-dry & Cooling, Ultralight
Application: Gym & Fitness, High-intensity Workout, Tennis Wear
Fabric No.:ADYTT696B
Composition: 100% Woven Polyamide
Weight Gram: 180g
Features: Crinkle Surface, Waterproof & Scratch-proof, UV protective, Lightweight, Non-BPA
Application: Tennis Wear, Outdoor Wear
Fabric No.:AFDB
Composition: 100% Cotton
Weight Gram: 450g
Features: Naturally Breathable & Soft, Heavyweight, Acid-washed Available
Application: Athleisure
For each trend, the original WGSN forecast report also listed one-by-one design strategies and recommended fabrics. If you are interesting in the entire report, feel free to contact Arabella Clothing here for more details.
Beyond Fabrics: How an Activewear Manufacturer Brings Fabrics to Life
Even though choosing the right fabrics is becoming more important than ever, a professional activewear manufacturer capable of utilizing your fabrics and making your collections into reality matters, too.
Taking pride in our profession and foresight that is capable of providing forward-looking ideas and practical solutions for your products, Arabella Clothing is keen to become your top choice. Also, we are looking forward to aligning with you to create more performance-driven, sustainable and ethical clothing products together.
Post time: Sep-01-2026