retro swimming caps — That’s Not My Age

Laura Whitmore on a recent Grazia go over carrying High-quality Saratoga

I promised myself when I could swim thoroughly, I’d devote in a unique swimming cap. Considering the fact that starting to master at 52, I’ve been by a number of goods of practical and streamlined headwear. Even after preparing the slippery factors with talcum powder, it can be like attempting to pull a condom more than your skull. I’ve from time to time left the pool with a headache and from time to time, they’ve torn, leaving me with a handful of latex ribbons.

Four many years later, swimming is an necessary section of my weekly program. I decided, the time experienced come to enhance my swimming cap, so went on the web and invested in two classic design and style swim caps in black and crimson, just about every embellished with fairly bouquets on the aspect. Pulling on this stylish head equipment produced an aqua-aerobics session extra enjoyment, like I was auditioning for a Busby Berkley remake. The lady powering my new look is Sarah Wilkinson who’s been advertising the pleasures of retro swimming caps for fifteen several years. Her manufacturer, Good Saratoga involves twelve layouts and spans a kaleidoscope of colors. From all-in excess of petal models to turban models reminiscent of Elizabeth Taylor in her Hollywood heyday, they evoke an age of glamour and carry joie de vivre to the most municipal of swimming encounters.

A Saratoga is a regular travelling trunk with brass fittings, Sarah describes and was also the identify of the family business launched by her mom, ‘a high-end lingerie store in Oxford. I grew up surrounded by these gorgeous silks and laces.’ When an agent turned up with some retro swimming caps, they ended up extra to the window screen but it was when Sarah took the initiative to start out promoting them on line, they definitely took off. Two many years of pandemic-induced distress have been amazingly good for business. Through lockdown, swimming swimming pools had been shut to the public and several women discovered outdoor swimming for the to start with time. ‘Everyone was wild swimming and they wished to be witnessed. Females would suggest them to each and every other and in some cases invest in five or 6 for their swimming team.’

Synchronised Swimming by Eva Watson (Copyright © Eva Watkins, 2021)

The pandemic also seemed to impact switching tastes from neutral and simple to vivacious and fun-loving. ‘Pre-Covid, I was promoting simple black, navy and blue caps but due to the fact then, the petal layout has turn into a most effective vendor with multi-coloured, purple and environmentally friendly ones traveling out. I feel it is about visibility and celebration the need to uncover joy. Swimming can help bodily and mentally, it’s an uplift.’

With prospects from 25 to 85+ she attributes their attractiveness to a mix of cheerfulness and comfort. ‘They are tender and tactile and do not pull at your hair. More youthful women like the cute, vintage feel of them. Older women of all ages are probably drawn to the nostalgia they remind them of hats their moms would don.” 1 of the pink petal caps lately designed a television visual appeal on the head of Alison Steadman in the BBC Sit Com, Listed here We Go  (extremely proposed) and Claridges just purchased some for their spa. As for me, I’m now 50 percent-flipper, 50 %-flapper and my witty swimming caps mark a new self-assurance in the pool.

Tot knots of Brighton swim turban

Nilgin Yusuf is a freelance writer. You can come across her on Twitter @Nilgin and Instagram @nilgin_yusuf