We will be upfront about this one: Baby Goes Retro's swimwear range is small. We are primarily an organic cotton clothing store, not a swimwear specialist, so if you are after twenty different swimsuit prints, we are not the right stop. What we do stock is a couple of genuinely well-made, sun-safe pieces from Kite, and a lot of useful knowledge about what actually matters when you are dressing a baby or toddler for the beach or pool this summer.
What we currently stock
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Kite Stripy Rash Vest & Crab Shorts Bundle, $89.95, sizing from 2-3y through to 6-7y. A two-piece rash vest and shorts set with built-in sun protection, which is the more practical option for active toddlers who need to move freely in and out of the water. View the Stripy Rash Vest & Crab Shorts Bundle.
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Kite Pear-fect Long-Sleeved Swimsuit, $55.95, sizing from 12-18m up to 6-7y. A one-piece with long sleeves and a pear print, good for babies and younger toddlers who are better off in a single piece they cannot wriggle out of. View the Pear-fect Long-Sleeved Swimsuit.
What actually matters in sun-safe swimwear
Swimwear fabric aimed at sun protection is usually rated using a UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) number, which measures how much UV radiation gets through the fabric to the skin. A UPF 50+ rating, which both of the Kite pieces above carry, blocks roughly 98 percent of UV radiation, compared with an ordinary cotton t-shirt which offers far less reliable protection once wet. For Australian conditions, where UV levels are high for most of the year even outside summer, a long sleeve or rash vest style genuinely does more for sun protection than a standard swimsuit cut, simply because it covers more skin. Layer that with a broad-brim hat and shade whenever possible, since fabric alone is not a full sun-safety strategy.
Layering pieces for before and after the water
Once the swim is done, a breathable GOTS-certified organic cotton tee is a better choice over a damp swimsuit than a synthetic fabric, since organic cotton allows the skin to breathe while drying off. Two of our organic cotton tees that work well thrown over swimwear or worn straight after a beach or pool session are the Frugi Bryher Summer T-Shirt – Favourite Things, $39.95, sizing 3-4y to 6-7y, GOTS-certified organic cotton, view the Frugi Bryher Summer T-Shirt, and the Frugi Penryn Circular T-Shirt – Hotchpotch/Bike, $39.95, sizing 3-4y to 6-7y, also GOTS-certified organic cotton, view the Frugi Penryn Circular T-Shirt.
You can see our full range of lightweight summer tops, including these two, on our kids tops collection, and any current swim and beachwear reductions on our beachwear sale collection.
Frequently asked questions
Does Baby Goes Retro sell swimwear?
Yes, but the range is small and deliberately curated rather than broad. We currently stock two Kite swim pieces, the Stripy Rash Vest & Crab Shorts Bundle and the Pear-fect Long-Sleeved Swimsuit, both with UPF 50+ sun protection.
What does UPF 50+ actually mean?
UPF 50+ means the fabric blocks roughly 98 percent of UV radiation from reaching the skin, compared with far less reliable protection from an ordinary cotton t-shirt, particularly once wet.
Should my baby wear a long sleeve or short sleeve swimsuit?
A long sleeve style generally offers better sun protection for Australian conditions because it covers more skin, which matters more than the cut for babies and younger toddlers who cannot yet apply or reapply sunscreen themselves.
What should my child wear after swimming?
A breathable, GOTS-certified organic cotton tee is a good choice to change into after swimming, since it allows the skin to breathe while drying off, unlike some synthetic fabrics.
Our honest take
If you need a full swim wardrobe, you may want to supplement elsewhere, but the two pieces we do stock are genuinely sun-safe and well made, and pairing them with our organic cotton layering pieces covers most families' beach bag needs. Free shipping applies on orders over $97 AUD, and we ship Australia-wide from our base in Geelong, Victoria.
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