The World's Only Plastic-Free Swim Shorts? Community Clothing Thinks So.

Almost every pair of swim shorts sold today contains plastic. Usually lots of it. Polyester fabric, polyester stitching, plastic labels, synthetic elastic. Community Clothing set out to prove there was another way.

Named after Scottish Olympic swimming legend David Wilkie, who Patrick Grant describes as having "an absolutely banging moustache", the Wilkie combines classic British style with an industry first. The moustache isn't included.

The launch also shines a light on Britain's shrinking textile industry. The printed fabrics are among the final work produced by R.A. Smart of Macclesfield before the historic textile printer entered administration after more than 50 years in business, highlighting the fragile future of British manufacturing despite continued demand for quality craftsmanship.

Founded to help rebuild Britain's textile industry, Community Clothing has long championed manufacturing close to home. The Wilkie continues that mission, proving that performance, style and sustainability don't have to come at the expense of British craftsmanship.

Unlike conventional swim shorts, which typically rely on synthetic fabrics and components derived from fossil fuels, the Wilkie is made entirely from natural, biodegradable materials. From the fabric and stitching to the drawcord and elastic, every element has been carefully reconsidered to eliminate plastic without compromising on comfort or durability.

"The fashion industry has become completely dependent on plastic because it's cheap, not because it's better," says Patrick Grant, founder of Community Clothing.

"We wanted to show there's another way. If we're going to swim in our rivers and seas, why not do it wearing something made from natural materials by skilled people here in Britain?"

The latest collection introduces three new printed designs inspired by traditional Indian hand-printing blocks and Kuba textiles collected in South Africa, joining a range of classic plain colours. Every pair is cut and sewn in Blackburn, Lancashire.

For Patrick, however, the story goes beyond one product.

"The closure of R.A. Smart is another reminder that brilliant British manufacturers won't survive on nostalgia alone," he says. "If we want these skills, these jobs and these businesses to exist in the future, we have to support them today."

The Wilkie swim shorts are available in five classic colours and three new prints, priced at £79.

Notes to editors

• Community Clothing believes the Wilkie to be the world's only 100% plastic-free swim shorts.

• Every pair is cut and sewn in Blackburn, Lancashire.

• The new printed fabrics were produced by R.A. Smart of Macclesfield before the company entered administration in 2026.

• RRP: £79.

ABOUT COMMUNITY CLOTHING

Community Clothing is a British clothing brand and social enterprise founded in 2016 by award-winning clothing designer and judge on BBC One’s The Great British Sewing Bee Patrick Grant. Community Clothing does good things for people and communities in the UK, creating jobs where they’re needed most.

The mission is simple; to sell great quality clothes at prices people can afford; to make these clothes in the best British factories from the finest natural materials; and by doing this to create work and support skilled jobs in regions of the UK that need them most. In short, Community Clothing sells great quality clothes, at affordable prices and consequently creates loads of fantastic jobs in places that really need them. 

To date Community Clothing has created nearly half a million hours (and counting) of work and supported 1,926 jobs. Community Clothing has a network of 48 partner factories all over the UK, located predominantly in the Northwest, Yorkshire, the East Midlands and South Wales.

Community Clothing has developed a unique business model that keeps costs super low, enabling the brand to produce clothes in the very best UK factories from the best materials, and still sell them at affordable prices. The unique business model utilises off-peak production, creates seasonless, brilliant basics, supports ultra local supply chains and promotes radical simplicity.

For further information, please contact:

Laura Adams

+ 44 (0) 7917 694 953

Laura@whitehair.co

www.whitehair.co