Cold lakes. Windy beaches. Flasks on the shoreline. Standing in a car park trying to put your trousers on while maintaining some semblance of dignity.
And, inevitably, someone saying:
“It’s actually quite warm once you’re in.”
Welcome to wild swimming in Britain.
If you’re going to spend your weekends voluntarily getting into lakes, rivers and seas, what you wear matters. But increasingly, swimmers are also thinking about where their swimwear comes from, how it is made and who made it.
At Own The Adventure, our swimwear is made here in Britain. That was a deliberate decision from the very beginning.
Here’s why.
What does British-made swimwear actually mean?
There’s a difference between being a British swimwear brand and actually making swimwear in Britain.
Own The Adventure swimwear is manufactured in the UK.
For a small independent brand like ours, that means working with British manufacturers and supporting the skills and expertise needed to make technical garments here in the UK.
It also means being much closer to the people actually making our cossies.
And we like that.
Supporting British manufacturing
The UK has a long history of clothing and textile manufacturing, but much of the industry has moved overseas.
Choosing to manufacture here helps support specialist manufacturing skills and British jobs.
For us, it also makes sense that a brand born from British outdoor swimming should make its swimwear here too.
Because OTA wasn't dreamed up in a boardroom.
It came from cold water.
Designed by someone who actually gets in the water
Own The Adventure started after I returned to the UK following many years living in Australia.
Somehow, after dinner and probably a little too much wine, I agreed to take on not one but two English Channel swimming challenges.
There was just one slight problem.
I hadn't swum in water below about 18°C for nearly 20 years.
The following morning I got into water that was around 7°C.
It was quite the introduction.
But somewhere between the cold-water shock, ridiculous changing situations, training swims and endless cups of tea afterwards, I fell in love with the outdoor swimming community.
And eventually, Own The Adventure was born.
So when we think about our swimwear, we're thinking about the women we actually swim alongside.
What should you look for in wild swimming swimwear?
You don't need a special swimming costume just because you're swimming outdoors.
But there are a few things that become particularly important when your swimming pool happens to be a lake, river or sea.
Look for:
a secure fit that stays where it should
comfortable straps
freedom of movement through the shoulders
coverage that makes you feel confident
durable fabric that can cope with regular swimming
a design you genuinely enjoy wearing
Because if you're standing on the edge of a freezing lake wondering why on earth you thought this was a good idea, your swimming costume should be the least of your problems.
British-made doesn't have to mean boring
This was important to us.
Outdoor swimming is full of personality.
The people we meet aren't particularly interested in blending into the background — and neither are we.
OTA swimwear is deliberately bright, bold and a little unconventional.
Because sometimes the water is grey.
The sky is grey.
The car park is definitely grey.
Your cossie doesn't need to be.
What about sustainability?
Where something is manufactured is only one part of its environmental impact.
When we talk about more sustainable swimwear, we think it's important to look at the bigger picture: the fabrics used, where garments are manufactured, how far they travel during production, how long they last and whether you'll actually wear them again and again.
That's why our approach is about making more thoughtful choices rather than pretending that producing anything new has zero impact.
Choosing well and looking after what you already own matters too.
Why does British-made matter to Own The Adventure?
Because OTA is about more than selling swimming costumes.
It's about adventure, community, confidence and getting more women into the water.
Making our swimwear in Britain feels like a natural extension of that.
We know where our cossies are made.
We're proud of the people who make them.
And we're proud to be a small British brand creating swimwear for a community we genuinely belong to.
Whether your next adventure is your first sea dip, your first kilometre, a winter swimming challenge or something as enormous as the English Channel, we want to be there for it.
Because the costume isn't the adventure.
It's simply what you're wearing when the adventure begins.
FAQs
Where can I find British-made swimwear for wild swimming?Own The Adventure creates colourful women's swimwear manufactured in Britain and designed with wild, cold water and open water swimmers in mind. Our women's collection is available in sizes 8–26.
What should I look for in a wild swimming costume?Look for a secure and comfortable fit, freedom of movement, practical coverage and durable fabric. Most importantly, choose something you feel confident wearing.
Why buy British-made swimwear?Choosing British-made swimwear can help support UK manufacturing, specialist skills and local jobs. It also allows brands such as Own The Adventure to work more closely with the people making their products.
Is British-made swimwear suitable for cold water swimming?Yes. A standard swimming costume can be worn for cold water swimming depending on the conditions and your experience. Your choice between a swimsuit and wetsuit should always take into account water temperature, conditions and your own cold-water experience.
Where can I buy British-made women's swimwear online?Own The Adventure sells British-made women's swimwear online, with colourful styles designed for wild swimming, open water swimming and outdoor adventures.