Thinking of a swim this blistering hot weekend? Who would have guessed that for aquatic fashionistas, Wellington is in a pool of its own.
Sarah Wilkinson owns and runs a unique online business selling classic ladies swimming hats. They’re made in a huge variety of Esther Williams-type styles by a German manufacturer called Fashy – they’re also known for classy hot-water bottles.
“My Mum had a lingerie shop in Oxford and I knew the Fashy rep, so I’d seen the hats in the catalogue. I thought I’d try putting a couple on eBay and it just snowballed,” said Sarah.
The business has been running for almost five years and Fine Saratoga is now the largest UK retailer of ladies swimming hats, selling an average of over 200 a week from the website; www.finesaratoga.com
There’s no typical customer, Sarah explained. Ladies of a certain age who want the perm kept bone dry, young women who want a touch of retro poolside glamour, and, of course, sets of pink hats for hen night escapades.
Poolside glamour with retro style
