Sustainable Styling Challenge Part 1: Swimwear

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.

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.

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

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

Sustainably Styled Look 2: Swimming Top With Slip Skirt, Belt & Blazer

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.

Sustainably Styled Look 3: Swimming Top With Slip Skirt, Belt & Blazer

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.

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.

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.