Wool swim shorts by Sheep Inc are "world's first made entirely from natural materials"

Clothing brand Sheep Inc has launched a pair of swimming shorts made from Merino wool and lined with a biodegradable mesh.

Described as the "world's first swim shorts made entirely from natural materials", the swim shorts contain no plastic or microplastics, according to Sheep Inc.

"Simply put: swim shorts until now have always relied on synthetic elements, either in the main fabric, the lining or both," Sheep Inc co-founder Michael Wessely told Dezeen.

"Even many 'sustainable' options use recycled polyester or bio-plastics," added co-founder Michael Wessely.

"We spent two years eliminating every synthetic thread, from fabric to lining to trims, while ensuring they still performed as true swimwear," he continued.

"To our knowledge, and after plenty of research, we are the first to offer swim shorts where every component is fully biodegradable."

The founders accept that the idea of wearing wool in water "feels counterintuitive". However, co-founder Edzard van der Wyck believes that due to its natural properties, Merino wool is a sensible material to make swimwear from.

"Let's say there's usually a raised eyebrow as people still associate wool with thick winter knits and heavy jumpers, not with the beach," he explained.

"The idea that wool could belong in water feels counterintuitive, but nature designed Merino fibres to handle the elements, regulate moisture and dry quickly."

"Merino wool regulates temperature better than any lab-developed fabric," Van der Wyck continued. "It stays cool in heat, warm in chill and wicks moisture away from the skin."

"It's naturally antibacterial and odour-resistant, meaning you can wear it longer and wash it less. Synthetic fibres may have been built for performance, but nature has been quietly outperforming them for thousands of years."

Sheep Inc spent two years researching how to ensure the Merino wool would perform well in water, in partnership with Italian mill Reda.

"Wool's natural crimp gives it elasticity and strength, while its structure allows it to absorb moisture and dry fast without losing shape," said Wessely.

"The challenge wasn't about making Merino work, it was about engineering it to perform in this very specific context while staying true to our regenerative, micro-plastic-free principles."

One of the key benefits of being made from natural materials is that both of the shorts' main components – the outer layer and lining – are biodegradable.

While the shorts are made from wool, the lining was made entirely from Yarnaway – a kind of modified yarn.

"Our lining is made from Yarnaway – a biodegradable alternative to traditional plastic mesh, which means every element of the shorts is designed to return to the earth, not linger on it," said Van der Wyck.

"You get comfort, performance, and peace of mind, without the micro-plastic footprint."

Sheep Inc believe that Merino wool performs better for swimwear than synthetic materials and hopes that these shorts demonstrate the potential of the material.

"Plastics are easy to mass-produce, easy to manipulate, and synthetics have dominated performance wear for decades, often prioritising durability over environmental consequence," said Wessely.

"But that convenience comes at a cost: microplastic shedding, fossil fuel reliance, and garments that outstay their welcome for centuries. For us, the challenge, and the opportunity, was to show that performance doesn't need to mean plastic."

Other swimwear that has recently been featured on Dezeen includes a sponge bikini that absorbs pollution and a swimsuit made from upcycled fishing nets and debris.

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