Late 70's Arena Style

[Thom]

In the late seventies, I bought an Arena with this pattern in a somewhat different color combo. It was super-thin lycra. Very hot. If I knew for sure this Mark Spitz tribute style was the same fabric, I'd buy one.

https://www.swimoutlet.com/p/arena-mens ... em_pagerr1

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[Speedoaddict]

[Thom]

Hi Tom,

I found this information for you.

In 1972, American Mark Spitz wore a red, white, and blue brief made of nylon elastine. It was supposed to have made him faster, en route to seven gold medals.

The modern version.

100% Polyester

I hope this helps.

Most interesting. Thanks!! Never realized they had a stretch fabric that early. I'm pretty sure elastine would have been a thin fabric. May order the one below.

Here's another colour combo in the new Spitz tribute suit. Really like it.

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[52dno98]

As somewhat of a connoisseur of Arena swimsuits, ha ha, I can say that their 100% polyester suits sort of fall into two different fabric surfaces, and it's largely dependent on the print. One is very smooth and feels almost indistinguishable from nylon/lycra; the other is a little rougher to the touch and doesn't seem to have as much stretch... I know nothing about fabric milling but I assume it has something to do with the weave and the thread itself.

Anyway, all that to say that if you're lucky, the fabric for those Spitz-inspired suits will be smooth and stretchy and similar to the original suits. But either way, since they're polyester, both suits will hold up much better to chlorine than traditional nylon/lycra suits would.

[Thom]

As somewhat of a connoisseur of Arena swimsuits, ha ha, I can say that their 100% polyester suits sort of fall into two different fabric surfaces, and it's largely dependent on the print. One is very smooth and feels almost indistinguishable from nylon/lycra; the other is a little rougher to the touch and doesn't seem to have as much stretch... I know nothing about fabric milling but I assume it has something to do with the weave and the thread itself.

Anyway, all that to say that if you're lucky, the fabric for those Spitz-inspired suits will be smooth and stretchy and similar to the original suits. But either way, since they're polyester, both suits will hold up much better to chlorine than traditional nylon/lycra suits would.

Wow... Thanks. Interesting comments. I hope you're right that they're smooth and stretchy. Back in the day, they were amazing, particularly as compared to Speedo/USA's heavier lycra fabrics in that era. I guess I'll order one and find out. Liking the retro stripe pattern. (Some of Speedo's all-nylon prints back then could be really thin fabrics, but the weave wasn't stretchy. )

I also have an interest in watches. Is that a divers' watch you're wearing in your profile pic?

I always forget how much I like Arenas. I had a black pair with a red diagonal stripe detail (sold in the North American market) that I wore til they were stretched out. Should have bought two pairs. The fit was so perfect. I have several Asian Arena's. Only one of them is from Japan; the others from ebay sellers are probably Thailand/Singapore.

[52dno98]

I also have an interest in watches. Is that a divers' watch you're wearing in your profile pic?

I always forget how much I like Arenas. I had a black pair with a red diagonal stripe detail (sold in the North American market) that I wore til they were stretched out. Should have bought two pairs. The fit was so perfect. I have several Asian Arena's. Only one of them is from Japan; the others from ebay sellers are probably Thailand/Singapore.

No, it's a standard black Apple watch but with a light colored band. I've collected a lot of different bands over the years.

The Arenas I've gotten in the last year from Singapore are probably my favorite suits ever? They're definitely up at the top...

[Thom]

The Arenas I've gotten in the last year from Singapore are probably my favorite suits ever? They're definitely up at the top...

Yes, The Asian/Singapore Arenas are really cool. The ones I bought have the Arena logo centered in the front. They fit right.

Regarding the Apple watch, are they waterproof to any degree?