Swim in plastic – it’s guilt-free
Idon’t know about you, but my plastic guilt is racking up. And with looming holidays, near pretty oceans, which as we all now know are full of nasty little plastic beads and who knows what, I feel awkward about popping on a plastic lilo and enjoying those cooling lapping waves, full of fish choking to death on our detritus. It’s made me wonder, “What can I buy to make me feel better about this?”
Ladies, may I introduce you to Econyl, a fabric cleverly formed from oceanic waste – fishing nets, fabric scraps and industrial plastic. It aims to achieve the very necessary concept of turning fashion into a sustainable cycle.
This material – technically a regenerated nylon – is being used by designers with an encouraging ethical agenda.
Neatly, it works very well in swimwear products. There are happily many brands cropping up, creating not only stylish cossies, but made from
this clever stuff too. Auria London, which does a lovely high-waisted bikini knicker, has been going since 2013. It’s line, “From the sea, for the sea” is helping assuage some of the guilt I feel over the giant unicorn I expect to float on around the Med shortly.
Davy J, the Devon-based swim line, has solved a tight conundrum – can one look chic wearing a swimsuit designed to actually swim in? The answer, is very much so. I’m rather into its classic black (runs from size 8-18 and the fit is excellent) and red designs, with smart cross detail at the back, and are specifically created for open-water swimming – suits are double-lined with a high elastane composition for extra strength and durability.
Also of note: All Sisters, a Barcelona originated label with an eco-conscious outlook and a very sleek, polished look. And Ohoy Swim, which does an array of classic but cool shaped swimsuits and bikinis in pretty block colours, helmed by two Scandinavian women based in Dubai. Notice I’ve stuck to simple shapes and hues. I’m feeling something a little more pared back. But do add a flighty shoe or kimono over the top for fun. I will be.