The Deal With Netting in Swim Shorts (And Why Ours Don’t Have It)

The not-so-small problems with mesh linings

Originally designed mainly for men's swimwear, mesh liners were meant to provide built-in support, help with water drainage, and reduce transparency when wet. While practical in theory, the execution often misses the mark, especially in cheaper styles. Here’s why:

Hello, discomfort: That scratchy mesh can cause irritation in all the wrong places, particularly after exposure to saltwater, sand, and sun.

Saga of the stretch: After a few wears and washes, that once-supportive mesh becomes a saggy nuisance that bunches up and offers zero function.

Chafe city: When wet mesh rubs against skin, particularly during active beach days, chafing becomes inevitable. Cue: the waddle home.

The infamous ride-up: Perhaps the most common complaint, when you realise your shorts have other plans, scrunching in places they shouldn’t.

Great shorts are built from the inside out

When designing our swim shorts for women, we asked ourselves: "Is there a better way?" Turns out, there is.

Here’s why our designs don’t need netting:

Support without the scratch
Our recycled nylon has enough structure to gently hold you in, with just the right amount of stretch. No extra layers needed. No irritation in sight.

A smooth fit that stays put
No bunching. No creeping. Just a clean, flattering fit that moves with you from swim to stride.

Double lining where it matters most
Forget the itch (and the bulk, while we’re at it). We’ve added double lining in key areas for comfort, coverage, and confidence.

So, do you actually need netting in swim shorts?

Netting is often a workaround, a quick fix for function instead of fixing the design itself.

Our Alyssa Mid and Grace Mini Swim Shorts do it better, made from luxe recycled nylon with just the right stretch and recovery to stay exactly where they should.

Because at Sheila, we believe in better shorts. Not shortcuts.