Summer is here and with it plenty of glorious sunshine! Of course, we all know how damaging the sun’s UV rays can be, which is why it’s so important to cover up and slip, slop, slap. Australian label Tribe Tropical is making this even easier with their gorgeous range of protective matching family swimwear that makes time in the sun, fun! Get your matching on and discover everything there is to know about this brand. North Shore Mums get 15% off!
About Tribe Tropical
When it comes to Summer fun, there’s nothing more important than staying protected, but it’s not always easy to do so. Tribe Tropical is on a mission to help mums and dads keep their tribe safe under the dangerous UV rays. And they’re achieving it in style!
Fun in the sun with Tribe Tropical
The award-winning label offers swimwear options for the whole family, from kids aged 0 to 14 years and adults’ size XS to 3XL, all on original prints inspired by some of Australia’s most idyllic destinations. Better yet, they offer family matching swimwear sets, which makes it even easier to spot your little ones at a busy beach, while looking fab as a family.
Enjoy their exclusive offer for North Shore Mums with 15% off storewide! Code: northshoremums15
Growing up in the tropics as a red head
Tribe Tropical’s founder Emily Gradon knows first-hand the importance of sun protection having grown up in tropical PNG & Cairns as a fair-skinned red head in the 80s/90s when there were no sun protective swimwear options around.
Tribe Tropical Founder, Emily Gradon and her kids
Emily used to dread beach days growing up as she either had to cover up in a daggy old t-shirt and risk being teased by other kids, or had to end the day sunburnt and in pain. Further to countless treatments and removal of BCCs (basil cell carcinomas, a form of non-malignant skin cancer) and now with her own children to protect in the sun, Emily decided to create some beautiful sun-protective swimwear that people would enjoy wearing.
“I really wanted to create a purpose-driven business that could help keep people safe in the sun but also spread awareness and educate on the dangers of sun exposure, especially in a country with the highest rate of skin cancer in the world”. – Emily Gradon, Tribe Tropical Founder
From adversity with the sun comes… a new brand!
Emily started Tribe Tropical from the kitchen bench, while juggling two toddlers and bootstrapped the label, which started with just two patterns for little girls. A month after the brand launched, Emily’s third child decided to join the family and was born the day after the release of the second collection.
“I was on my way to hospital trying to track down a parcel that had gone missing on its way to WA! A week later I was unpacking boxes of new stock with a newborn strapped to my chest.”
Matching Family Swimwear
Ready to learn what makes Tribe Tropical so unique? Here’s what parents (and kids!) love about this brand.
Convenience and comfort
The nappy change clips make changing time a breeze!
Ever been at the beach or by the pool and had to make a mad dash to the bathroom with a toddler? What parent hasn’t! Tribe Tropicals baby and toddler swimsuits come with nappy change clips on the bottom. Ingenius! No more pulling off wet swimwear with a screaming toddler.
“I dress my toddler at home in her swimsuit before her swimming lesson so when we arrive at the swim school we just quickly change the nappy without having to take the whole suit off, it makes life so much easier!”
It’s not just about the kids either. Tribe Tropical’s women’s swimsuits and rash tops have inbuilt shelf bras with removable padding, and zips at the front, which is great for nursing mothers.
Family matching swimwear fun!
Hamilton Island print
The newest print ‘Hamilton Island‘ gives the option for whole family matching in a range of styles and sizes to suit most ages and body shapes.
Tribe Tropical’s patterns are an ode to Tropical Australia and feature motifs from some of Australia’s most idyllic resort destinations, from Port Douglas to Fraser Island. Emily commissioned Brisbane-based artist Stacey Bigg from Kalaii Creations to hand-draw the brand’s most recent patterns.
“When my eight-year-old daughter came to me asking for swimwear with unicorns on it, I really wondered how I could work that into the brand, and told her that there aren’t really unicorns in Tropical Australia! I put my thinking cap on and decided to create a pattern inspired by the Tropic of Capricorn on QLD’s Capricorn Coast – from that our “Tropic of Unicorn” pattern was born!”
Tropic of Unicorn Print
Emily went to Stacey with the idea, outlined the brief and Stacey came back with something so beautiful! Sadly, there were issues converting the print to textile and the colours didn’t translate as hoped. After months of toing and froing between Emily, her supplier and the artist Stacey, and with spring deadlines fast approaching, the team finally got the pattern right! The ‘Tropic of Unicorn’ style has been one of their most popular prints to-date.
Quality materials
All swimwear and hats are double-lined, chlorine-resistant and made on a quality high-GSM fabric.
Giving back to the community
Tribe Tropical donates to turtle conservation at Mon Repos, has helped to raise funds for children’s hospitals in NSW, WA & QLD, as well as the Currumbin Wildlife Hospital via participation in the Gold Coast Beach Parade…and countless other charity events! “Helping the community rates highly in our brand values”.
Enjoy their exclusive offer for North Shore Mums with 15% off storewide! Code: northshoremums15
Growing Success
With three little ones in tow, Emily has worked hard to build the brand and grow its reputation. Tribe Tropical’s swimwear has been featured at Miami Swim Week and several times at Gold Coast Fashion Week, and won a Good Design Award within its first year in operation.
The brand has grown and experience plenty of success over the years!
The brand has been featured on Sunrise, in The Weekend Australian and on A Current Affair for their involvement in the launch of the ‘Buy From The Bush’ platform, which supports businesses based in regional Australia, as well as publications like Mums Grapevine, One Fine Baby and Mum Central.
Essential Details: Tribe Tropical
- Website: Tribe Tropical
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