A new swimsuit range on offer this weekend is tackling a common holiday horror – but does it work?
There’s an unspoken holiday horror that can sabotage even the most meticulously planned getaway, leaving women and girls feeling anything but relaxed and refreshed. Whether your holiday is spent lounging poolside, taking a dip or managing little ones in the water, it can prove a remarkably unpleasant experience if your period arrives while you’re away.
Feeling fearful about potential leaks, resorting to tampons when they mightn’t ordinarily be your go-to choice, or even shunning the pool altogether can all cast a shadow over a well-earned break. Meanwhile, research this month by WUKA revealed that 71% of women had used the contraceptive pill to postpone a period during their holiday.
But the body positive period underwear brand is on hand to help women and girls tackle the problem. It’s launched a fresh collection of period swimwear just in time for summer, with everything discounted by 20% until April 13. The hero swimsuits are made from environmentally friendly recycled nylon and come in two designs, scooped back and racerback, with designs created for both teenage girls and women to accommodate varying body shapes.
The swimsuits feature a clever dual-layer technology that keeps pool water out, while a highly absorbent gusset on the inside soaks up flow and locks it away so it can’t escape into the water. Suitable for light to medium flow and holding the equivalent of two tampons without any of the risk of Toxic Shock Syndrome, they also offer UV50+ protection, ideal for spending time outdoors, reports the Liverpool Echo.
WUKA has already established itself as a premium and highly effective period underwear brand. Several years ago I put their period pants to the test and, despite initial scepticism, they genuinely transformed my experience of periods.
Shop WUKA’s period swimwear 20% off sale
From £17.59
WUKA
Shop the sale
The brand has cut 20% off their entire swimwear range
Previously I’d written off period underwear as a solid option for tweens and teenage girls but not really for grown women, yet I quickly discovered they were the most comfortable way of getting through my period – plus incredibly handy for when you feel like you might be about to start and don’t want to be caught off guard, but also don’t want to wear pads unnecessarily for days beforehand. They are straightforward to wash, minimise concerns about leaks and leave me feeling as comfortable as possible, particularly during those brutal, cramp-heavy first few days.
What’s more, while the initial outlay definitely felt like an investment, the pants have washed and worn remarkably well with the comfort and convenience, money saved on pads over several years and environmental benefits feeling really worthwhile. Having said all this, I’d still been slightly reluctant to brave WUKA’s swimwear range. I’d clocked the costumes when they first dropped last year, as part of the brand’s push to help girls keep swimming at school and clubs without monthly interruptions, but I wasn’t quite brave enough to jump in at the deep end (pun absolutely intended).
However having realised our summer family getaway – picked specifically for plenty of water parks and beach fun – is likely to clash almost perfectly with my period I decided it was time to take action. Several years ago I endured an absolute nightmare break where I spent days standing awkwardly knee deep in the shallow end of the pool for hours attempting to play with my children while feeling self-conscious, managing leaks and feeling thoroughly miserable. At the time I’d promised myself never again.
The WUKA racerback costume might just be my ideal swimsuit. It’s currently priced at £39.99 in the sale, which is roughly what I’d pay for a standard swimsuit and seems fair. While bright shades like purple and green are on offer, I purposely opted for a more practical and classic navy. My thinking was I could wear it to finally begin swimming regularly for exercise without having to skip one week every month, also conveniently giving me the opportunity to test it out ahead of my holiday.
The swimsuit is well constructed and feels genuinely flattering. The fabric is substantial enough to feel comfortable yet doesn’t become heavy or unwieldy once wet, which had been my initial worry after reading about the science behind how it functions.
In fact, the strangest thing about wearing the WUKA swimsuit for the first time was just how natural it felt. It’s actually a bit depressing to realise that the slightly nagging sensation I experienced in the water was essentially my brain thinking ‘I’m swimming on my period, shouldn’t I be worrying about something?’ Looking back, this feeling has been a recurring theme across decades of pool time – whether I was on my period and fretting about when I’d last changed my tampon or anxious about whether I might start early.
By the second time I wore the suit, that fearful feeling had subsided somewhat and I was genuinely surprised to discover that swimming during my period is an activity that actually feels soothing and helps relieve cramps. While I wouldn’t normally swim several times a week, it seemed only right to wear the suit on multiple occasions before reviewing it and, crucially, test out washing and drying it between uses – which proved to be a refreshingly simple process.
While I’m hardly going to become an Olympic swimmer as a result, the prospect of swimming regularly now feels far more appealing even outside of the summer months, keeping me active even on my heaviest days when I’d ordinarily ditch my usual yoga session for the comfort of the sofa. I can also see the suits working brilliantly for women and girls who have irregular periods and are anxious about being caught off guard.
This is game changing and I can’t imagine packing for any getaway involving pool time without it tucked in my suitcase. The one drawback that might put some people off, particularly those who, like me, opt for the racer style, is that the suit has a relatively high neck, while the keyhole design at the back could leave tan lines for anyone who enjoys getting a light tan (just don’t forget the SPF).
That said, I feel the comfort more than makes up for those concerns, particularly when swimming for exercise, as the shape and cut of the suit is genuinely flattering – and the light padding on the chest creates a sleek silhouette without leaving you feeling self-conscious or adding unnecessary bulk.
To keep tan lines to a minimum, I’m also planning to pick up some swim bikini bottoms which, along with WUKA’s newly launched period swim shorts, can be worn under an existing swimsuit during periods for extra protection and peace of mind against leaks. Between the two, I’m now feeling nothing but excitement about spending a week splashing about in the sunshine – and that’s absolutely how it should be.
While there aren’t a vast number of brands offering period swimwear in the UK, Modibodi also provides options for both teens and adults. This plunge neck option costs from £52.49 to £79.99 depending on absorbency, with further styles and colours also available.
WUKA’s 20% off sale across its entire swimwear range runs until April 13. In addition, 1% of all sales from the new swimwear collection will go towards surf therapy charity The Wave Project.
