I put a call out on Instagram asking what the Winki girls wanted to see next.  After three years of sampling different fits, manufacturers, fabrics and many humbling moments, I present to you, the Winki Espresso Springsuit. It sounds simple in theory, design a cut, pick a colour, sample it, test it and Bob’s ya uncle. However, designing a spring suit from scratch has been one of the most complex, frustrating and equally rewarding products I’ve ever worked on. 

The goal from the beginning was clear, to develop a spring suit built for function & fun. Uniquely Winki, but subtle enough to wear in any line up, season after season. Flexible, light, durable. Many things changed in the process but it was always going to be a brown long sleeve spring suit, logo on the chest and racing stripes for extra speed. 

I’ve been in business for 7 years, from the beginning people have wanted wetsuits, but I had a spring suit wettie from another brand that I really liked and I didn't see a need. What’s the point if I was just going to put something out there that was on par with others. It felt like a huge task to develop something better. But times have changed, back zips are in, black suits are boring and rubber fabrics have advanced.  So, 3 years ago as mum of one, on an Indo holiday I began my process, sketching outlines.  Now it's 2026, I've got 3 kids (4 if you include this wetsuit) and we're finally ready to launch a suit I am truly proud of. 

Throughout the 3 years working on this suit, we had about 8 samples. Each one taught me something new about stretch, sealing, fit, movement but none of them were quite right. Some felt too restrictive, others flushed too easily. Close but not quite right. Every wrong sample felt like a kick in the guts, with some requiring a period of recovery before problem solving and trying again. The hardest hit was while I was two weeks postpartum. Sample number 5 or 6 arrived at the door and I remember being convinced this was finally the one. I hobbled through trying it on, only to realise… it still wasn’t perfect. Gutted, I briefly considered letting the wetsuit industry win and sticking to what I know. There were some big postpartum tears which IYKYK…. they can be lethal. At one point I even asked ChatGPT to write me affirmations to stop me from spiralling and not let a failed wetsuit sample steal the joy from my postpartum experience lol. Whilst rattled, deep down I knew I could not give up, I'd learnt so much and overcome so much. Too much time and effort had been invested, but honestly I just really wanted a good wettie to surf in.  A combination of Chat GPT affirmations and some stubbornness finally brought this one across the line. 

A 2mm Ecoprene spring suit- flexible, functional, comfortable and finally exactly what it was meant to be from the beginning. Limestone ecoprene is a high performance fabric that offers stretch and warmth, whilst being less reliant on fossil fuels to create than traditional petroleum-based neoprene. The back zip allows for easy entry and exit and the smooth skin fabric around the neck opening offers a comfortable fit

Some product launches feel bigger than others. For me, this one feels like an ode to not settling for close enough, and to learning that getting consistently knocked back, isn’t a sign to give up.