Breast cancer touches so many of us, whether personally or through someone we love. In Ireland, 1 in 7 women will be diagnosed in their lifetime. And while the medical journey is front and centre during treatment, what comes after — finding your feet again, returning to the things you love, feeling like yourself — can be its own quiet challenge.
For a lot of women, getting back into the water is part of that. Swimming is low-impact, it's freeing, and research from the Irish Cancer Society suggests that moderate physical activity for 2-3 hours a week may help reduce the risk of recurrence. But standing at the edge of a pool, trying to find a swimsuit that fits both your body and your confidence after treatment? That's a different kind of hurdle entirely.
Decathlon has taken that seriously. The sports retailer has just launched the Aquakokoon swimsuit, a carefully designed one-piece built to support women who have experienced breast cancer — while looking, on the outside, like any other elegant swimsuit.
What makes it different
The Aquakokoon is seamlessly constructed around the chest area, giving it a soft, second-skin feel that moves with you in the water rather than working against you. There's no scratchy seaming, no uncomfortable pressure — just a design that's been genuinely thought through.
A wrap-style cut, wide straps, higher arm openings and a supportive back band work together to offer discreet coverage for women whose bodies have changed through treatment. At the same time, the swimsuit doesn't broadcast its purpose. The neckline is softly shaped, there are delicate gathers and a low back for a finished, feminine look. It's the kind of suit you'd pick for a holiday, not just a specialist requirement.
Inside, there are discreet pockets to hold a breast prosthesis if needed. The swimsuit comes in two cup fittings — B-C and D-E — and includes an integrated bra along with adjustable wide straps for stability in the water. Decathlon's teams, who bring 30 years of expertise in breast support to their designs, have engineered what they describe as a "5-star" support level into the suit.
A stylish one-piece swimsuit designed for mastectomy wearers.
Four years in the making
This wasn't a quick design job. The Aquakokoon went through 20 prototypes, four years of design and innovation, two years of user testing, and feedback from 46 women before it reached the shelves. That kind of process shows — and it matters, because the women who'll wear this deserve something that was genuinely made with them in mind.
Designer Clémentine Ballanger put it simply: "We wanted to create a swimsuit that feels completely natural to wear and does not set women apart in any way. Our goal is to support women through every stage of life, including moments when returning to sport may feel challenging."
The fabric is chlorine-resistant and built to last up to 100 hours of use, so it'll hold up through regular swims rather than fading after a season.
Available now, and inclusive by design
One thing worth noting: the Aquakokoon isn't exclusively marketed as a post-mastectomy swimsuit. Its specialist features are subtle enough that it works beautifully for any woman who wants a well-supported, elegant one-piece. There's something quietly powerful about that — a design that doesn't single anyone out.
The Aquakokoon Decathlon Swimsuit is available now in Decathlon Ireland stores and online, priced at €42. For more information, visit decathlon.ie.
