Abstract: A laminated elastic fabric for use in making a garment having reduced drag with respect to a surrounding fluid as a wearer of the garment moves through the surrounding fluid comprises a stretch layer and an elastic, plastic layer bonded to the stretch layer having a plurality of parallel, spaced grooves disposed in an outer surface of the plastic layer. A preferred, plastic layer is a breathable, waterproof thermoplastic film. A garment, such as a swimsuit, made from the grooved fabric has the grooves substantially aligned with the direction of movement of fluid over a portion of the garment as the wearer of the garment moves through the fluid. Methods for making the fabric and garment are disclosed.

Abstract: A garment, such as a swimsuit, made from a laminated elastic fabric having reduced drag with respect to a surrounding fluid as a wearer of the garment moves through the surrounding fluid. The fabric has a stretch fabric layer and an elastic, plastic layer bonded to the stretch layer to form a laminate, and has a plurality of parallel, spaced grooves disposed in an outer surface of the plastic layer. The garment has its grooves substantially aligned with the direction of movement of fluid over a portion of the garment as the wearer of the garment moves through the fluid.

Abstract: A garment to be worn on the lower part of the body for the retention of body fluids includes a body portion and a crotch portion. The body portion has a waist opening and the body and crotch portion form leg openings. A laminated fabric is disposed at least in the crotch portion for the retention of body fluids. The laminated fabric is liquid-proof, breathable and elastic. A preferred form of the laminated fabric includes a thermoplastic film layer and a fiber-containing material layer. The film layer is disposed inside the garment when the garment is worn.

Abstract: A laminated elastic fabric. The laminate includes a layer of stretch material having substantial elastic qualities, a polymer film layer being breathable, water-resistant and having elastic qualities, and an adhesive present in substantially discontinuous segments bonding said film layer to said material.