How to Care for Seamless Activewear So It Keeps Its Shape

Quick answer

Wash your seamless activewear inside out in cold water on a gentle cycle, then air dry flat away from direct heat. This protects the stretchy fibres and ribbed details, so your sports bras, singlets and tights keep their shape and fit. Never use fabric softener or a hot tumble dryer.

Why seamless fabric needs different care

Seamless activewear is knitted as one piece, so it has no seams to reinforce the fabric. That construction makes it soft and comfortable, but it also means the stretch and shape come entirely from the yarn and knit structure. High heat, harsh detergents and rough agitation can break down elastane fibres, causing sagging, twisting or loss of compression. The ribbed waistbands and contouring details on pieces like the Chocolate Shape Seamless Tights are especially vulnerable to heat damage. Treating them gently is the easiest way to extend their life.

Sort and prepare before washing

Separate your seamless items from towels, jeans or anything with zips and hooks. Those rough fabrics can snag the knit and cause pilling. Turn each piece inside out to protect the outer surface and any logos. Fasten bra hooks if present, and remove any removable pads. If you have a mesh laundry bag, use it for extra protection, especially for lightweight singlets.

Choose the right wash cycle and detergent

Use cold water (30°C or lower) on a delicate or hand-wash cycle. Warm or hot water can shrink the fabric and weaken elastane. Select a mild liquid detergent free from bleach, enzymes and fabric softener. Softener leaves a coating that reduces moisture-wicking and can trap odours. If your machine has a low-spin option, choose it to minimise stretching.

Dry flat, never tumble

After washing, gently squeeze out excess water without wringing or twisting. Lay the garment flat on a clean towel or drying rack, reshaping it to its original dimensions. Avoid hanging heavy items like tights by the waistband, as gravity can stretch them out. Keep them away from direct sunlight, radiators and heated floors. A tumble dryer is the fastest way to ruin seamless activewear, so skip it entirely.

Store and rotate for longevity

Once dry, fold your seamless pieces rather than hanging them. Hanging can cause straps and waistbands to lose elasticity over time. Store them in a cool, dry drawer away from rough surfaces. Rotate your activewear so no single piece gets worn every day; giving elastane time to recover between wears helps it bounce back. If you notice a piece starting to lose shape, a gentle hand wash and flat dry can sometimes help it recover slightly.

Your 5-step seamless care routine

1. 1. Turn inside out and sort: Turn each piece inside out to protect the outer knit and logos. Wash separately from towels, jeans or anything with zips. Checkpoint: no rough fabrics in the same load.
2. 2. Use cold water and mild detergent: Set your machine to a delicate cycle at 30°C or lower. Use a gentle liquid detergent without bleach, enzymes or fabric softener. Mistake to avoid: hot water or softener, which breaks down elastane and reduces wicking.
3. 3. Skip the spin cycle or use low spin: High-speed spinning can stretch seams and distort shape. If your machine allows, select no spin or the lowest setting. Checkpoint: garments come out damp, not dripping or twisted.
4. 4. Dry flat, reshape and air dry: Lay pieces flat on a towel or drying rack, reshaping to original dimensions. Keep away from direct sun, radiators and heated floors. Mistake to avoid: hanging wet tights by the waistband or using a tumble dryer.
5. 5. Store folded and rotate: Fold rather than hang to prevent straps and waistbands from stretching. Rotate your activewear so each piece gets rest between wears. Checkpoint: no piece is worn two days in a row.

Product care specifics

• Black Shape Seamless Deep Cut Bra: Shape Seamless Deep Cut Bra is made from soft and stretchy Shape Seamless fabric with ribbed details at front and a deep cut front and back. The ribbed front is prone to snagging, so wash it inside out in a mesh bag to protect the texture.
• Macchiato Shape Seamless Strap Singlet: Macchiato Shape Seamless Strap Singlet is fully lined and has thin straps. Thin straps can stretch out if hung wet, so always dry this singlet flat.
• Chocolate Shape Seamless Tights: Chocolate Shape Seamless Tights feature a high, ribbed waistband and an invisible scrunch. The ribbed waistband and scrunch detail are sensitive to heat, so avoid hot water and never tumble dry.