Selkie Swimwear Conjures ‘Bridgerton’ at the Beach

Today “cottagecore,” the time period for a well-liked aesthetic lately, could recall to mind a number of issues. The early pandemic, say, when cottagecore began to unfold quickly on social media. Or the flouncy attire, floral motifs, delicate décor and countryside settings that largely outlined the aesthetic.

Much less typically has the fairy-tale look been related to seashores or swimming pools. Selkie, a model that grew to become emblematic of cottagecore vogue after the discharge of its Puff Dress in 2019, is hoping to alter that by increasing into swimwear this 12 months.

Selkie’s founder, Kimberley Gordon, mentioned that with the Puff Gown — a poufy frock usually product of organza that has a fitted bodice and a voluminous skirt — she needed to ship “an explosion of femininity.” The model has been supplied in lots of colours and patterns, in addition to in sizes from XXS by 6X.

Selkie’s swim line, which incorporates bikinis and one-pieces and is priced between about $90 and $225, was additionally conceived with a give attention to femininity and measurement inclusivity, Ms. Gordon, 41, mentioned.

She was impressed by items from previous many years — notably, the Nineteen Thirties by the Fifties, a time earlier than revealing, overtly attractive types began to exchange extra modest fits that flattered ladies’s our bodies with out displaying as a lot pores and skin.

“I don’t need to need to go shave or get a bikini wax each time I am going swimming,” Ms. Gordon mentioned.

The washing fits can be found in patterns like toile, gingham and banana plaid. They’re offered in the identical sizes because the model’s attire and are supposed to channel these clothes’ “ethereal really feel,” Justine Babb, Selkie’s head designer, mentioned. However as a substitute of organza, the swim line was made with supplies like cotton and spandex.

“We principally needed to make one thing that was like placing on a Puff Gown, or a Selkie costume, to go to the pool,” Ms. Babb, 38, mentioned.

Most items have fanciful parts like ruching, ribbon ties, ruffle trims and cap sleeves. There are additionally swim skirts and coverups for many who, as Ms. Gordon put it, “don’t need to present their complete physique once they exit.”

Some Selkie followers have been not sure if bathing fits knowledgeable by the look of its “Bridgerton”-meets-Disney-princess attire would resonate.

Camryn Garrett, 24, a contract author in Brooklyn, was drawn to Selkie as a result of she “needed to discover a plus measurement costume that didn’t look boring,” she mentioned. However she was considerably skeptical about whether or not the model’s method to attire would translate to swimwear.

“I’m questioning how they’re going to do this,” Ms. Garrett mentioned.

Sophie Desmond, 31, one other follower of the model, mentioned its swimwear appeared “just a little out of context.”

Even so, Ms. Desmond, a contract editor who lives outdoors Washington, D.C., thinks the swimwear will discover an viewers. Particularly with, as she put it, “grown-ups or millennials of their 30s making an attempt to reclaim that little bit of girlhood.”