Look closely at a rib knit and you will see fine vertical lines, alternating raised and recessed, neatly repeating across the fabric.
Those lines are why wearing it feels like breathing.
Room to open, one groove at a time
The secret of ribbing lies in its vertical grooves. Each groove creates room to expand.
At rest, the grooves draw together and the fabric sits quietly against your body. When you breathe in, stretch, or bend, they open one by one, allowing the fabric to widen with you. When the movement ends, they gently return.
The stretch comes from the fabric's structure itself, rather than an elastic band that squeezes.
As you breathe in, it opens with you
When you stretch to one side, the side of your waist lengthens and the ribbing opens there. When you return to the centre, it comes back with you. You do not need to adjust it; it finds its own place.
That is why we chose ribbing for the Olea collection: a fine rib knit with 90% modal, whose close vertical ribs bring a little substance and spring, balancing softness with support.
Why Olea
Olea is Latin for olive.
Fresh and supple, yet resilient. We hope the people who wear it carry that same strength.
Ribbing is much the same. Soft to the touch, it returns to its original shape after being stretched. Softness and resilience, in the same piece of fabric.
How it looks on the body
Olea Rib Halter Bra Top: Vertical ribs follow the body down, sitting close to the chest and waist without feeling tight or loose.
Olea Rib Detachable Strap Bra Top: The straight neckline rests against the chest, with the ribbing's gentle spring helping it stay in place.
Olea Rib Boy Short: The ribs follow the curves of the hips and thighs, lying flat as you walk, squat, or sit.
Good underwear should feel like breathing
Good underwear should feel like breathing: you do not notice it working, but it is always there.
Between skin and the world.
The Olea Rib collection
