The LYCRA Company reveals legwear innovation concepts for 2026/27

The LYCRA Company, a global leader in fibre and technology solutions for the apparel industry, announces its latest collection of legwear innovation concepts for the 2026/27 season. Developed in collaboration with trend forecasters at Stijlinstituut Amsterdam, the collection explores how people live, dress, and express themselves, presenting four inclusive lifestyle categories: Work/School, Sport, Chill, and Going Out.

The LYCRA Company unveils its 2026/27 legwear innovation concepts, developed with Stijlinstituut Amsterdam, built around inclusive lifestyles: Work/School, Sport, Chill and Going Out.
Moving beyond demographics, the collection blends performance, comfort, sustainability and self-expression, with fibre innovations designed to adapt to all ages, genders and styles.

These categories move away from traditional demographics and instead embrace inclusivity across age, gender, and style. Whether it is a teenager in uniform, an adult balancing work and fitness, or a style-forward consumer expressing glamour at any age, LYCRA fibre innovations provide solutions that adapt to the wearer’s unique needs.

“This year’s innovation concepts reflect the diversity of consumers’ lives and the inclusivity of modern legwear. We have created versatile, sustainable solutions that perform across lifestyles and support people of all ages, genders, and style preferences,” said Jane Gwyther, Global Product Director – Legwear

WORK/SCHOOL

Everyday resilience, for every age and style.

The Work/School category highlights versatility and practicality essential for everyday life, not just the boardroom or classroom. This is about garments that withstand repeated wear, hold their shape, and provide energizing comfort that lasts. From young students to adults who favour practical staples, this category offers styles that balances function and fashion for a broad audience.

Key innovations include:

• COOLMAX EcoMade fibre, made from 100% pre-consumer textile waste, provides permanent cool and dry comfort throughout the day for garments that stay in place.
• LYCRA STEAM-SETTABLE fibre ensures garments retain their shape and uniform appearance, wash after wash.
• LYCRA ENERGIZE powered by LYCRA FUSION brand offers graduated compression to revitalize legs, with the added benefit of run-resistance, comfort and durability.

Together, these fibres create socks and hosiery that stay in place, maintain their shape, and keep wearers comfortable throughout their day. This balance of durability, comfort, and sustainability makes the Work/School category inclusive of all ages and genders, ensuring practical solutions for daily wear.

GOING OUT

Bold expression meets technical confidence.

The Going Out category celebrates individuality, glamour, and the power of self-expression. Designed for consumers of all ages and genders who embrace fashion that combines aesthetic impact with technical reassurance. From understated elegance to bold statement looks, these garments empower wearers to express themselves confidently.

Key innovations include:

• LYCRA EcoMade fibre, made from renewable raw ingredients, offers the same trusted performance with ISCC Certification, an innovation for the sustainably minded fashion lover.
• LYCRA FUSION TRUE TO YOU garment, delivering run-resistant confidence with a luminous, natural finish that enhances the appearance of legs.
• LYCRA STEAM-SETTABLE fibre enhances garment aesthetics by delivering a smooth, uniform silhouette with a 360-degree fit. It ensures hosiery maintains its shape and size wash after wash, giving wearers the confidence of a lasting, polished appearance.

With innovations that reduce ladders and runs, enhance shine, and adapt to multiple body types, Going Out ensures style and inclusivity go hand in hand, this category brings confidence to everyone who chooses to stand out.

CHILL

Comfort first, for moments of pause.

The Chill category focuses on relaxation and downtime, recognising that comfort is universal. Whether it is a teenager unwinding after school, a parent balancing work and family, or an older adult seeking ease of wear, Chill garments provide inclusive solutions that adapt to life at home, leisure, or casual socialising.

Key innovations include:

• LYCRA XCEPTIONELLE garment, featuring a patented construction with anti-friction zones and powered by LYCRA ADAPTIV fibre, ensures an inclusive fit across all body types and sizes for optimum comfort.
• THERMOLITE Everyday Warmth garment, made with THERMOLITE EcoMade fibre, delivers lightweight insulation for breathable warmth on cooler days, helps to stay in place and reduce red marks.
• LYCRA SOFT COMFORT fibre offering light-weight warmth, helps socks in place while reducing red marks and enhancing all-weather wearability.

This combination makes Chill the category for everyone, offering effortless, inclusive comfort that adapts seamlessly to diverse lifestyles.

SPORT

Performance-driven solutions for everybody.

The Sport category celebrates movement in all its forms from elite athletes to casual fitness enthusiasts, and across all genders, ages, and body types. It is designed for consumers who value functionality, durability, and technical support to enhance their performance and recovery.

Key innovations include:

• LYCRA ENERGIZE brand with LYCRA ADAPTIV fibre, delivering graduated compression to revitalise tired legs and energise performance, making them easy to put on and take off and offers a wider fit window.
• LYCRA XTRA LIFE brand, providing ultra-light durability and extended wear, ensuring garments retain their shape and strength through repeated use.
• LYCRA FUSION fibre, reducing ladders and runs to extend wear life, offering lasting confidence during high-intensity activity.

From compression hosiery that supports circulation to resilient socks that maintain shape through workouts, Sport highlights inclusivity through adaptable performance solutions. It ensures that every wearer, regardless of age, fitness level, or gender, can access high-quality legwear that empowers their movement.

Seasonal Colour Direction

The 2026/27 palette reflects the diversity of these four lifestyles. 

• School/Work, calm neutrals and versatile blues convey trust and reliability, accented with soft pastels for youthful energy. 
• Sport is energised by dynamic shades of burgundy, khaki, and black, balanced with performance-inspired brights. 
• Chill embraces earthy tones of greens, teals, and warm neutrals, designed for relaxation and harmony. 
• Going Out shines in rich jewel tones, luminous sheers, and high-impact contrasts empowering bold self-expression. 

Conclusion

By reframing its 2026/27 concepts into the categories of School, Sport, Chill, and Going Out, The LYCRA Company demonstrates how legwear innovation is not only about fibres but about people. Each concept reflects inclusivity across age, gender, and style, while advancing sustainability and performance.

Note: The headline, insights, and image of this press release may have been refined by the Fibre2Fashion staff; the rest of the content remains unchanged.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (HU)