WILD about Wylding
It’s the outerwear staple that everyone is talking about
MOVE over DryRobes, the new must-have garment for cold water swimmers is here. A fleece-lined jumpsuit might not sound like the sartorial stuff of dreams but it’s shaping up to be the style staple of the season, with celebrities from supermodel Helena Christensen, broadcaster Fearne Cotton, model Laura Bailey and our very own Amy Huberman all rocking the cosy boilersuits. Ireland is at the heart of the brand co-founder and mum-of-three Daniela Bohling is from Monaghan town, and her Wylding partner (also a mum-ofthree), musician and former actress Millie Dornan is married to none other than our screen icon Jamie Dornan — the perfect male model for a Wylding suit, we think you’ll agree. It was through their friendship and love of cold water swimming that the friends came up with the idea for functional and fabulous warm wear post-bathing. ‘We began swimming in September of 2019 when we answered an Instagram invitation to swim in the Thames,’ says Daniela, who has a background in product development. ‘Seventeen women showed up and we got in... we were exhilarated to our core,’ she recalls. A WhatsApp group was created and the pair were swimming through the winter, Daniela recalls. ‘We quickly discovered that the more we swam the more we needed to swim — we were hooked. It got to the point where we would subtly flash our swimsuits to each other under our jumpers at the school gates as a nod to “see you at the spot”,’ she laughs. ‘But as the frequency of our swims increased so too did our need to pack less. Swimming was something that we were fitting in between work and home obligations so we needed efficiency, minimal gear and, ideally, to look smart enough straight after a swim so that we could go into a meeting, head to the shops or just grab a coffee without looking like we had been dragged out of a hedge.’
Cold water swimming has over recent years revealed itself to be a total tonic — especially over lockdown —providing that much-needed serotonin hit and also a host of other proven health benefits. It’s been hailed by medics as a panacea to many modern ills; credited with everything from anti inflammatory properties, to burning of brown fats, giving endorphin super highs and a mega energy hit. Then there’s the
friendship and instant connection it creates with those you’re dipping with, bonding over laughter in cold icy water. But while wild swimmers know all about the benefits of facing the freeze, but they’ll also know that while the first hurdle is getting in the water, the second is getting out again.
It was while on a swimming holiday in Wales in 2020 — when the friends hiked to many of their swim locations — the need for lightweight, warm, easy to move in clothing really presented itself.
‘Clumsily pulling clothes onto damp bodies, while freezing and trying to dress with numb fingers was always the worst part of our swim. There had to be an easier way. When we emerged from the Afon Teifi and hurriedly clambered into a combination of thermal fleece and boiler suit layers, the idea for the suit was born.’
The result of their brainstorming is the Wylding — an all-in-one outerwear piece that is durable, flexible and functional. Although initially designed with post swim ease and warmth in mind, the Wylding suit is a versatile piece of kit. The founders can attest to it being suitable attire for a host of activities like camping, sailing, outdoor yoga, walking, festivals -even gardening — basically any outdoor event you can think of.
It comes in three colours: moss green, midnight black and marine blue. Each suit is lined with coral polar fleece.
All suits are a relaxed fit, thermal and weatherproof, designed to be worn with only underwear or swimwear underneath.
‘On getting out of the water remove your wet swimmers, gently towel off, slip into your undies, and let the fast wicking, thermal fleece evaporate any residual water off your body. Your body naturally creates heat, even if you’re doing nothing, and the technical fleece lining will insulate this heat to keep you warm,’ says Bohling.
The suit offers a stylish and warm alternative to layering up and is the ultimate outerwear one piece. At €186 a pop, the suits, made from man-made fibres — are not cheap — but they are designed to last a lifetime (Dornan and Bohling are working with factories who have been making top tier ski gear for decades). Every little element has been carefully considered, including features for ease of use and functionality. There’s a dropped crotch for easy dressing, making the chilly transition in and out of cold water effortless - and loosefit legs so that you’re free enough to move, kneel and cycle in comfort. And if you really want to up your outerwear game, there’s a matching Storm hood (€67) which boasts all the same technical features as the hero boiler suit — it is fleece lined, water proof, fast wicking and bibbed front and back to give extra warmth and protection to the chest and upper torso while also letting the rain run away from your neck. The exaggerated cut of the bib also acts as cover up while changing out of swimwear for the shyer swimmer too. It looks like the Wylding will be the hottest thing in — and out — of our wardrobes this season.