I’m thrilled to say that already this year we have seen an increased interest in Solpardus, our natural bamboo swimwear, and subsequently in me…! This spike of interest in me and my business is wonderful, albeit rather daunting, and got me thinking about the person I was five years ago ~ how my psoriasis and lack of choice in clothing completely robbed me of my confidence.  

What we wear can have huge influence on how we feel about ourselves. Whether for a first date, job interview or any time we would have a potential confidence blip, wearing the right outfit can make all the difference! Clothing you feel truly confident in can even mask any self doubt concealed within ~ a “fake it ‘till you make it” of sorts. However, when inflamed or irritable skin dictates what you can wear, the idea of clothes aiding confidence often drifts away. This is instead replaced by…


“Is the fabric soft?”

“Are the seams comfortable?”

“Does the elastic dig in?”

“Can I actually tolerate wearing this?!”

This meant I, like so many other people with skin complaints, felt bound to oversized cotton tops and leggings ~ and completely at a loss when it came to swimwear! 

I had reached the point where I couldn’t even utter the word “psoriasis” and my social circle had become non-existent. A phone call to the GP ended with his only suggestion that maybe I should talk to someone else, seeing as nothing was working for my skin and he could offer no solace. I resigned myself to the idea that the self-assured confidence I had once upon a time was now too far out of reach. Looking in the mirror certainly did not help matters. Often our most comfortable clothes are not exactly the ones to inspire confidence. The tired looking jogging bottoms that you’ve had forever, the worn but enduringly comforting jumper that hugged you through heartbreak and your go-to Bridget Jones knickers! Not quite the choices you might make to give your self-image a boost… As I sat outside during lockdown in my own “comfies”, I only wished I could don comfortable swimwear and get some sun on my skin without the irritation of synthetics. The closest I could get was natural fabric underwear ~ and very rarely is it acceptable to be seen out and about in such attire…!

I often thought magicking my psoriasis away would solve all my problems, but alas it wasn’t going anywhere without me working to support my body. Bringing some calm alongside some gentle sunshine, both the most beneficial for the roots of my own psoriasis triggers. As many of us are inclined to do, I looked to social media for support and found a comment that completely altered my relationship with my skin. It was a small comment suggesting that the pigment disparities often seen when inflamed psoriasis begins to fade in sunshine, leaving behind pale spots, were something to be celebrated. The leopard spots of healing, to be worn with pride and to serve as a reminder of the ebbs and flows of living with a chronic immune condition. As with most things in life, things may get to the point of despair but they rarely remain that way. Very important to remember when life seems at an impasse. Determined to help myself in some way, I started work solving the pressing issue of what to wear. I so wanted my home creation to not only provide comfort but give me back some of the confidence previously stolen by the unflattering clothes my psoriasis had required.

The start of Solpardus {Sun Leopard}!

What makes for confidence boosting clothing?

Contrary to my previous thought that confidence would come once my skin was clear, I came to the realisation that confidence doesn’t come from perfection. So much of the confidence I saw in people surrounding me, and those in the media, wasn’t without “imperfection” but I had merely been blinded by their confident exterior. I had the epiphany that true confidence comes from self-acceptance…hard to always maintain, but a boost looking in the mirror seeing yourself in a wonderful outfit was sure to help! Looking to women’s fashion, and who I felt were the icons of this quiet confidence, I sought inspiration from the elegance and style of Grace Kelly and Audrey Hepburn. Classic and timeless silhouettes, beautiful posture and endless poise. The sort of swimwear that would look and feel effortless, with a timeless style to see you through changing fashions. Not overtly “sexy”, but designs that make you feel your very best and radiating confidence to those around you.

I am so thrilled that the final Solpardus designs perfectly achieved this balance of comfort and elegant confidence. Not only had I reached what I set out to achieve within the garments, but as I formed the business my own confidence slowly returned. Sat out in my garden in the Cornish sunshine, in my own natural swimwear creation, seeing my own leopard spots of healing appear, and watching the business I had started, in the midst of feeling completely helpless, take shape I finally felt confident. Confident in my growing knowledge. Confident in the new understanding I had in my skin and body. Confident in how capable I really was. Confident enough to dip my toes back into social waters and find confidence boosting friends! Which leads me back to the person I am now. I can’t say my confidence doesn’t take knocks at times, and the idea of increased interest can be somewhat scary. However, standing in front of a camera in my own comfortable, all natural, skin-friendly, elegantly classic designs certainly gives me exactly the boost I need to feel my best, most confident self.   

It’s amazing the confidence that can be found in your wardrobe 

Rediscover your confidence

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