M&S launches modest swimsuits 'burkini' for Muslim women

Marks and Spencer has launched burkini – the new full-length swimwear, which is designed to protect the modesty of Muslim women.

Without compromising on style, The company explains that the £49.50 suit ‘covers the whole body with the exception of the face, hands and feet. This can be considered as a sign of growing diversity in Britain.

The burkini - designed to adhere to strict modesty standards - made headlines when donned by Nigella Lawson on a beach holiday five years ago as protection from sunburn.

This M&S version has already proved popular in branches in Dubai and Libya, where it has been on sale for three years. But this is for the first time when they are available for purchase by customers in UK. This M&S three-piece burkini set comes in two styles - a blue floral number and a black version with a paisley print.

People are also going crazy about it as increasing concerns about skin cancer, suggesting they should simply be known as ‘solar suits’ to show that they are not just for the devoutly religious.

Burkini

Rehema Figueiedo tries out the Marks & Spencer Burkini in London's Serpentine