There is a certain feeling to vintage swimwear. Sculpted, suede-soft and substantial against the skin. The kind our mothers wore on the Riviera, captured in photographs faded by summers in the sun.
It was this feeling that became the starting point for Sommer SOFTLUX, our exclusive new matte-finish lycra, introduced with the Sommer Solaire ’26 collection.
Reimagined through the Sommer lens, SOFTLUX brings the sensuality of summers past into the present: buttery soft, quietly sculpting and made to move wherever summer leads.
A Fabric of Our Own
For Sommer Solaire, we wanted to create a fabric that felt as considered as the silhouettes themselves.
SOFTLUX has a suede-soft, buttery hand feel with a subtle matte luminosity. Gentle stretch allows it to move naturally with the body, while lasting shape retention and compression against the skin create a secure, sculpted fit.
Softness and structure in equal measure.
The fabric was designed for days spent between sea, pool and sun, moving effortlessly from the water to everything that comes after.
Considered from the Beginning
How SOFTLUX was made mattered as much as how it felt.
Crafted from regenerated Osetex polyamide blended with elastane, SOFTLUX is made with 78% recycled polyamide using GRS-certified recycled polyamide yarns. It is developed through a certified and traceable supply chain, independently verified to Global Recycled Standard requirements.
It reflects our approach to sustainable swimwear: considered material choices without compromising the fit, feeling or longevity of the finished piece.
Durable and pilling resistant, SOFTLUX was created not for a single summer, but for many still to come.
The Fabric of Sommer Solaire
SOFTLUX made its debut in Sommer Solaire, a collection inspired by the haze of a long European summer.
Its soft matte finish became a canvas for the collection’s palette: the burnished warmth of Umber, crystalline Azure, sun-soaked Desert Rose and the ornate Opus print.
Against it, polished Solara hardware catches the light. Inspired by ancient solar iconography and designed like jewellery for the body, its luminosity creates a contrast that feels distinctly Sommer.
Matte and gold. Soft and sculpted. Nostalgic and new.
Made for Summer
Beautiful swimwear should be lived in.
All Sommer Swim fabrics are independently tested and certified by Bureau Veritas Consumer Products Services for chlorine resistance, saltwater resistance, colour fastness to light and durability through laundering.
SOFTLUX was developed with that same philosophy of longevity, retaining its stretch, compression and shape while moving with the body.
From the first swim of the morning to late afternoons beneath the sun, it was made for summer as we like to live it.
Sustainable Swimwear & SOFTLUX FAQs
What is SOFTLUX made from?
SOFTLUX is made with 78% recycled polyamide blended with elastane. It uses GRS-certified recycled polyamide yarns and is developed through a certified and traceable supply chain independently verified to Global Recycled Standard requirements.
The regenerated Osetex polyamide is combined with elastane to achieve the stretch, compression and shape retention required from premium swimwear while maintaining the soft hand feel that defines SOFTLUX.
What should you look for in sustainable bikini brands?
When comparing sustainable bikini brands, it can be useful to look beyond broad environmental claims and consider the specific information a brand provides about its swimwear.
This can include whether recycled materials are independently certified, whether there is traceability through the supply chain, how fabrics are tested and whether pieces are designed with durability and longevity in mind.
For SOFTLUX, Sommer Swim uses GRS-certified recycled polyamide yarns within a certified and traceable supply chain. Our swimwear fabrics are also independently tested by Bureau Veritas Consumer Products Services for chlorine resistance, saltwater resistance, colour fastness to light and durability through laundering.
Are Sommer Swim sustainable bikinis made from recycled materials?
SOFTLUX styles are made with 78% recycled polyamide using GRS-certified recycled polyamide yarns.
Rather than applying this statement broadly to every Sommer Swim piece, we provide material information specific to the fabrics and styles in question. For shoppers looking for a sustainable bikini made with recycled materials, SOFTLUX styles offer a more considered option while retaining the fit, feel and performance associated with Sommer Swim.
Is recycled polyamide good for swimwear?
Recycled polyamide can be well suited to swimwear when it is engineered to provide the stretch, recovery, durability and resistance required for use in water.
SOFTLUX combines regenerated polyamide with elastane to balance gentle stretch with lasting shape retention and compression. It is also designed for movement and exposure to sea, pool and sun.
All Sommer Swim fabrics are independently tested and certified by Bureau Veritas Consumer Products Services for chlorine resistance, saltwater resistance, colour fastness to light and durability through laundering.
Is SOFTLUX suitable for swimming in pools and the ocean?
Yes. SOFTLUX was developed for movement in the sea and pool, as well as exposure to the sun.
Sommer Swim fabrics undergo independent testing for chlorine resistance and saltwater resistance, alongside testing for colour fastness to light and durability through laundering. SOFTLUX is also pilling resistant and designed to maintain its shape over time.
As with any premium swimwear, following the garment’s care instructions will help preserve its appearance and performance.
How can you make a bikini last longer?
Proper care can help extend the life of your swimwear. After wearing your bikini in the ocean or pool, follow the care instructions provided with your garment and avoid leaving saltwater, chlorine or other residues on the fabric for prolonged periods.
Choosing quality swimwear that has been designed and tested for repeated wear is also important. Sommer Swim fabrics are independently tested for saltwater and chlorine resistance, colour fastness and durability through laundering, while SOFTLUX has been engineered for lasting shape retention and resistance to pilling.
Longevity is an important part of our approach to more considered swimwear: creating pieces designed to be returned to summer after summer.
