Sustainable style challenges are great for our creativity, mental health, bank balance and our wardrobes. In this styling series, I am looking at all the different ways to wear swimsuits for daywear and evening wear. In this post you’ll find pics of me rocking a 2-piece set offering fun examples of how to be more creative – and think outside the box [AD].
I’ve paired a blue 2-piece swimsuit with tailored trousers and a blazer, it’s a whole smart-cool vibe. Then, I mix it up with a slip skirt, faux fur and a vintage pearl belt for an entirely more edgy look. Keep scrolling to see all the looks and outfit details.
![Blue snake print long sleeve top, black shaggy faux fur coat, black slip skirt. Evening outfit Inspiration Sustainably Styled.](https://robertastylelee.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/SUSTAINABLE-STYLING-Challenge-Part-1_-Swimwear-3-683x1024.jpg)
Creating a sustainable wardrobe is all about slowing down and means making smart choices. Instead of always buying new stuff, it’s about re-using and restyling what we have, including our swimsuits and 2-pieces. It’s about more styling and less shopping!
Did you know extending the life of clothes by just 9 months of active use can reduce carbon, water and waste footprints by 20-30% each
(source: WRAP)
What to expect from this sustainable styling series
In this sustainable style series, I am demonstrating how to get creative with swimwear. A styling challenge set to me by Charys Caldarella founder of Styelle, and fellow sustainable fashion champion and entrepreneur. Over the coming months, I will be exploring more ways to wear swimwear and documenting it here on my blog.
My first task was to elevate the Holy 2-piece eco-swim set and style it for day and evening wear. I think you’ll agree the set is stunning and it would be a crime to not try and get the maximum number of wears from it.
![Blue long sleeve 2-piece bikini set with long sleeves and high waisted briefs. Sustainable brand Styelle worn by Roberta Lee - The Sustainable Stylist.](https://robertastylelee.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/6-781x1024.jpg)
Sustainable Swimsuit details
- Holy Blue Shine Eco Long Sleeve Top by STYELLE gifted as part of collaboration
- Holy Blue Shine High-Waisted Bottoms by STYELLE gifted as part of collaboration
Sustainably Styled Look 1: Swimming Top With Tailored 2-Piece
![](https://robertastylelee.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/The-Sustainable-Stylist-_-PIN_-Wearing-Styelle-Blue-long-sleeves-swimming-Top-with-high-Waisted-Trousers-781x1024.jpg)
Sustainable styling tip:
Get out some tailored pieces and see what works, this helps to offset the casualness of the swimtop.
These high-waisted trousers by another ethical brand felt like the perfect combination. I chose black pointed boots to give some extreme angles, opting for a slightly oversized black blazer and a vintage belt. I loved the pop of blue and the flash of my waist.
Outfit Details
- Holy Blue Shine Eco Long Sleeve Top
- Organic Cotton Black Wide-Legged Trousers by Jenerous
- Belt with Gold Buckle – Vintage St Michael
- Black Pointed Boots – Preloved via Vinted in 2023
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Sustainably Styled Look 2: Swimming Top With Slip Skirt, Belt & Blazer
![](https://robertastylelee.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/8-781x1024.jpg)
Sustainable styling tip:
Play around with textures and see what you have that can switch something from daytime to evening wear – silk or satin works, this helped to add some luxe to the look.
In this look, I wanted to show off the high-waisted bikini bottoms and make that a feature. Opting for a silk slip skirt and pulling it down helped to create the blue waistband, which I loved as it shows off more of the bikini. I decided to pop the blazer on my shoulders. and try on a vintage pearl belt (giving me big 70/90s vibes). I wanted to go for a simple bag, so I grabbed my sustainably made clutch by Priestleys.
![](https://robertastylelee.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/The-Sustainable-Stylist-_-PIN_-Wearing-Styelle-Blue-long-sleeves-swimming-Top-with-Blazer-Slip-Skirt-Priestlys-Leather-Clutch-781x1024.jpg)
Outfit Details
- Holy Blue Shine Eco Long Sleeve Top
- Holy Blue Shine High-Waisted Bottoms
- Double Breasted Black Blazer – Old
- Black Slip Skirt – Old
- Pearl Belt – Vintage (brand N/K)
- Black Pointed Boots – Preloved via Vinted in 2023
- Black Leather Envelope Clutch – Priestleys (previously gifted)
need a second opinion
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Sustainably Styled Look 3: Swimming Top With Slip Skirt, Belt & Blazer
![](https://robertastylelee.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/The-Sustainable-Stylist-_-PIN_-Wearing-Styelle-Blue-long-sleeves-swimming-Top-with-Shaggy-Faux-Fur-Coat-781x1024.jpg)
Susty styling notes:
What can I say about this look? It’s one of my favourites. Keep your eyes peeled you might see this look featured on Channel 4 soon, on a series I worked on (If you didn’t know about this project, make sure you sign up for the Inner Circle as I share behind-the-scenes teasers in it every quarter!). The animal print and the shaggy faux fur work so well together – the contrast in colour also looks great – and it’s perfect for me as I am a Cool Winter.
![](https://robertastylelee.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/The-Sustainable-Stylist-_-PIN_-Wearing-Styelle-Blue-long-sleeves-swimming-Bottoms-Top-with-Fur-Jacket-781x1024.jpg)
Outfit details
- Holy Blue Shine Eco Long Sleeve Top
- Holy Blue Shine High-Waisted Bottoms
- Faux Fur Shaggy Black Coat – Preloved via Vinted in 2023
- Black Slip Skirt – Old
- Boots – Not Seen, Chunky Grenson Hiking Boots
- Alternative Boots Tried on – Black Pointed Boots – Preloved via Vinted in 2023
Sustainable Styling Challenge Part 1: Conclusion
I think it’s fair to say the HOLLY set is very versatile. I think there are even more possibilities for styling! If I had more blue in my wardrobe I would try more tonal looks. If I wore more colour I think this would go well with high-waisted pink trousers too and a denim jacket.
How would you sustainably style this swimsuit t? Share your ideas below and I will pick one or two of them to style and publish on this blog.
Eco Note: Nothing new was purchased to create these looks. The swimsuits are all gifted as part of the collaboration and were all items I had identified as needing to be replaced in 2019. The last time I purchased a swimsuit was in 2012.
![](https://robertastylelee.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Roberta_signature.jpg)
Promoting Ethical Brands
AD | Full disclosure I prioritise giving Ethical Brand Directory (EBD) brands as much exposure as possible as part of their membership, as long as their items are aligned with my style. I believe these brands need all the support they can get to compete with big brands with mega-marketing budgets. Any collaborations/paid partnerships I choose to do are extremely rare. I am very selective about whom I work with. If I do choose to work with a member of EBD I offer a highly discounted rate to make it possible for them to be able to work with me. Please note: I am not a fashion influencer – I encourage you to only shop what you need and will wear and treasure for years to come.