Our story

The story behind Es Una: Confidence, comfort & sun-soaked freedom

Hi! I’m Lyndal, the creator of Es Una. This is me—washing my car. Not quite the glamorous beachside photoshoot you’d expect for a swimwear brand, right? But that’s exactly the point—Es Una is about so much more than just swimwear. I’m wearing our Zip Front Ruffle Rashie Dress, and it’s proof that versatility, confidence, and comfort can go wherever you need them to.

Because here’s the thing—I want more women to enjoy summer. And while we often picture bikinis, beach umbrellas, and resort holidays, I knew swimwear could be so much more than that.

It could be this:

This is me at my local beach in Glenelg North, South Australia, enjoying summer. I'm wearing my Zip Front Ruffle Rashie Dress again - see! Versatile. I am feeling confident and comfortable, and I wore this dress around all day! From the beach and beyond.

The problem I couldn't ignore

Like many families, mine has always loved spending time at the beach. But there was one small problem—while my husband and kids threw on their rashies without a second thought, I could never find one that fit without feeling like I’d been shrink-wrapped. So, I did what so many women do—I wrapped myself in a towel or wore an old t-shirt instead.

One Christmas, my 13-year-old daughter needed a new rashie. Her old one had stretched and, when wet, hung down almost to her knees. She wanted a relaxed fit—something comfortable, not skin-tight. So, we scoured surf shops and searched online, but the only option was a size 18 men’s rashie.

That summer, as I sat on the sand, watching women fully covered in kaftans, sarongs, and oversized t-shirts, I had a realisation—we weren’t alone. So many women weren’t enjoying the water the way they should. Whether it was modesty, body confidence, or feeling self-conscious about skin exposure, I saw a pattern: we weren’t dressing for summer, we were hiding from it.

Finding a better way

Back home, I searched for a rashie for myself. And what did I find? A sea of tight, figure-hugging rash vests—all function, no fashion. There were swimsuits designed to enhance, support, and reveal, but nothing that offered sun protection, coverage, and confidence all in one.

I wasn’t ready to give up. I started asking other women what they wanted, and the results were clear:
✔️ 70% of women wanted to set an example for their kids by wearing a rashie.
❌ Only 10% actually did—because the options available were too tight, too unflattering, or simply unwearable.

A British study on body confidence at the time revealed that 36% of women stop exercising because they feel too self-conscious. I knew the same thing was happening at the beach and pool—women missing out on summer moments because they couldn’t find swimwear that felt right.

And that’s where Es Una was born.

Designed for confidence, made for women

In 2016, I launched Es Una with one goal:
✨ To provide comfort, coverage, and confidence—so every woman can enjoy summer.

Now my vision has evolved 'for women to enjoy every sun-soake moment' but the sentiment remains the same. Our range is made for movement, made for comfort, and made by women—because we deserve swimwear that lets us feel free, covered, and completely ourselves.

Now, I wear my Es Una pieces everywhere—on beach walks, paddling, around the pool with friends, and even washing my car. Because confidence shouldn’t be reserved for special occasions. It should be part of your everyday life.

Welcome to Es Una. Here’s to feeling amazing—wherever summer takes you. 💙☀️

Here is my evolution of swim and beachwear over the years.

Lyndal enjoying the beach through the ages

1 and 2 taken at Ocean Grove in Victoria. 3 taken at Pambula in NSW.

Our namesake

Una - Es Una's namesake

Es Una is named after my grandmother, Una. Una was a bright, intelligent and practical go-getter. Never leaving home without a splash of pink lipstick, Una was the first to try anything new - and she did so with gusto and enjoyment. I like to imagine that whip of pink was like a superhero cape, giving her the confidence to take on the world!

When naming Es Una, I took Una's name and added to it to become 'es una'. The English translation of 'es una' (Spanish) is ‘she is’ which introduces a sense of readiness and enablement to our brand.

'She is' enables us to define ourselves, which is what Una did.