Neoprene fabric guide
Neoprene Vest Design with AI
A neoprene vest is a specialist order: ask for scuba knit at 320 to 400 g/m², and expect fewer mills to take it on.
Of the 12 cloths this guide lists for this cut, it sits between rigid denim and wool tweed in weight.
Next to rigid denim, it is heavier, shinier, warmer to wear and more demanding to care for.

Neoprene Vest at a glance
- Cloth to ask your mill for
- Scuba knit
- Typical weight
- 320 to 400 g/m²
- Drape
- Structured, holds its own shape
- Stretch
- Moderate
- Breathability
- Low
- Warmth
- Warm
- Care
- Hand wash cold, dry flat
- How common
- Niche, usually a specialist order
- Typical cloth price
- $15-35/yard
Typical trade ranges, not one mill's figures: confirm them with your mill.
The vest, in numbers
- Typical length
- 55 to 65 cm, from the high point of the shoulder
- Defining details
- V neck, welt pockets, adjustable back or quilted body
- Cloth needed
- about 0.8 to 1.2 m of 150 cm cloth, roughly $13 to $46 of cloth at typical prices
Typical figures for an adult size M. The pattern tier is set from the real piece count when you order.
How neoprene behaves on a vest
In a vest it holds a strong shoulder and a straight front almost without help from the canvas.
Cut short, a structured cloth stands away from the body and gives a graphic, boxy shape.
It wears warm, which places it in autumn and winter collections.
It wants a cold hand wash and drying flat, so say so on the care label.
It holds its shape and resists water, but it is warm, does not breathe and creases if folded under heat.
About neoprene
Neoprene is a synthetic rubber foam, usually laminated with a knit on each face. In fashion it has largely given way to scuba knit, a thick double knit that looks alike and breathes better.
Neoprene foam is made by a handful of chemical producers and laminated by specialist mills; scuba knit comes from many knit mills.
It needs no lining, and its edges can be left raw or bonded.
Cutting, sewing and color
Its edges do not fray, so raw or bonded edges are an option; use a stretch needle and keep the iron cool.
Prints are usually applied by sublimation on the knit face, so a print sits on the surface.
It has a soft sheen that shows the folds without glare.
A description to start from
A vest in scuba knit, 320 to 400 g/m², with a structured drape and a soft sheen surface, for autumn and winter.
If neoprene is not quite right
- Lighter: Denim, in rigid denim
- Heavier: Tweed, in wool tweed
- Cooler: Linen, in suiting linen
- More drape: Velvet, in cotton velvet
Also: how the studio works, prices and questions and answers.
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