If you want handmade swimwear to keep its shape, colour and texture, the essentials are simple: rinse it straight after swimming, hand wash it in cold water with a gentle detergent, dry it flat in the shade, and never store it while damp. Those small habits matter even more with pieces that are crafted by hand, where fit, knotwork and finish are part of what makes the garment feel special.
Why handmade swimwear needs gentler care
Sea Palm pieces are designed in Dubai and handcrafted in Colombia. That human touch is part of their appeal. Crochet, macrame and carefully shaped swim silhouettes have more character than something rushed off a factory line, but they also deserve a calmer approach once they reach your suitcase or beach bag.
Care is not only about keeping a piece looking beautiful in photographs. It is also about preserving the way it sits on the body. Stretch, fading and tired elastic usually come from repeated small habits: leaving swimwear rolled up after a swim, washing it too aggressively, or drying it in harsh sun for hours.
Sea Palm's own size guide makes the brand's position clear. After each use, the recommendation is to rinse immediately, avoid hot water, hand wash gently, dry flat in the shade and store only when the piece is completely dry. That guidance is worth following closely if you want your swimwear to feel as refined on the tenth wear as it did on the first.
What to do right after swimming
The minutes after a swim matter more than most people think. Salt water, chlorine, sunscreen and body oils all sit on the fabric if the piece is left untouched in a towel or bag. Over time, that build-up can affect elasticity and colour.
As soon as you can, rinse the piece in cool or lukewarm fresh water. Do not wait until the end of the day if you can avoid it. Even a quick rinse before lunch is better than letting residues settle for hours.
What to avoid after the beach or pool
- Do not leave swimwear knotted inside a wet towel.
- Do not throw it into the bottom of a hot car or beach tote for the afternoon.
- Do not rinse with hot water.
- Do not scrub sunscreen marks with harsh soap.
If you are travelling, it helps to carry a small separate pouch for damp swimwear so the piece stays protected until you can rinse it properly.
How to hand wash swimwear without affecting the fit
The safest method is also the least dramatic one. Fill a basin with cold water, add a gentle detergent intended for delicate fabrics, and wash the piece softly by hand. You do not need vigorous twisting or rubbing. Let the water do most of the work.
Sea Palm advises against bleach, fabric softeners and harsh chemicals, and that makes sense. These treatments can interfere with both fabric and elastic fibres. Long soaking is also worth skipping. A short, careful wash is enough.
A simple hand-wash routine
1. Rinse first
Give the piece a fresh water rinse before you add detergent.
2. Wash gently
Move the swimwear through cold water with your hands, paying extra attention to areas that held sunscreen or body oil.
3. Rinse again
Make sure no detergent remains in the fabric or handworked texture.
4. Press, never wring
Gently squeeze out excess water. Twisting the garment can distort shape and put unnecessary stress on the fibres.
This matters for minimal swim silhouettes, but it matters just as much for textured pieces like the Artwear collection, where the visual character of the piece comes from handcrafted detail as much as from colour.
Drying is where longevity is often won or lost
Many swimwear problems begin during drying rather than washing. A piece may be clean, but if it is hung carelessly by one strap, left in direct sun all afternoon or put near strong heat, the fit can change sooner than expected.
Sea Palm recommends laying swimwear flat to dry in a shaded, well ventilated area. This is the right instinct for any piece you want to keep for years. Flat drying helps the garment hold its intended shape. Shade helps protect colour and elasticity.
Better drying habits
- Lay the piece on a clean dry towel or flat surface.
- Reshape it lightly before leaving it to dry.
- Keep it away from direct heat, radiators and dryers.
- Wait until it is fully dry before folding or packing it away.
If you are moving between one swim and the next on holiday, this is also where rotation helps. Sea Palm's size guide specifically suggests rotating between different swimwear pieces to give the fabric time to return to its original shape between wears.
Special care for crochet and macrame swimwear
Handworked texture asks for a little more attention, not because it is fragile in spirit, but because the finish is intentional. Pieces such as Karakum, Lahbab and Mojave are chosen for their handcrafted character. That is exactly why rough washing or careless drying feels like the wrong trade.
When rinsing crochet or macrame styles, support the piece with both hands rather than letting it stretch under the weight of water. During drying, smooth the garment gently back into shape and make sure textured sections are not folded under themselves. If ties are part of the design, untangle them before drying rather than tightening them into knots.
If you enjoy styling these pieces beyond the shoreline, Sea Palm's Journal article on how to style crochet swimwear beyond the beach is a useful companion read.
How to store swimwear between trips
Storage is where good care either finishes properly or quietly unravels. Putting away swimwear that still feels slightly damp can lead to odour, fabric stress or mildew. Storing it crumpled inside a pouch for weeks is not much better.
Once the piece is fully dry, store it flat in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight or heat sources. Avoid crushing crochet or textured areas under heavier clothes. If you keep swimwear in drawers, give handmade pieces enough space that ties and detailing do not catch unnecessarily.
For women who travel often, it is worth keeping one small section of your wardrobe reserved for resort pieces, cover ups and swimwear. It makes packing easier and reduces the chance of a handcrafted bikini being dragged in and out between unrelated items.
Care and fit go together
It is easy to treat fit as something that matters only at the moment of purchase, but care is part of fit maintenance too. A piece that is rinsed promptly, washed gently and dried correctly simply has a better chance of holding the shape you loved when you first chose it.
That is especially relevant if you recently used Sea Palm's Journal guide on how to choose your swimwear size online. Choosing well is the first step. Caring well is what protects that decision.
If you are ordering for travel, Sea Palm's worldwide shipping page is worth reviewing in advance, especially for dispatch timing and pre-order details. And because swimwear is not returnable for hygiene reasons, good pre-purchase fit guidance and thoughtful aftercare work best together.
A quieter, better routine
The best swimwear care routine does not need to feel elaborate. It only needs to be consistent. Rinse after wear. Hand wash with care. Dry flat in the shade. Store the piece only when it is fully dry. Rotate your favourites instead of pushing one piece through every day of a long trip.
That approach suits Sea Palm particularly well because the brand's point of view is already rooted in craftsmanship, intention and longevity. Explore Sea Palm's handcrafted swimwear and resortwear when you want a piece worth caring for, and reach out through Client Care if you want help choosing the right style before your next escape.
