Sling Studio Bracken Blue Lagoon Review

 

Sling Studio Bracken Blue Lagoon
75% cotton/25% linen / 225 GSM
1 year old and 25 pounds / 2 years and 38 pounds


Bracken Blue Lagoon arrived impeccably packaged. Carefully thought out details, such as patterned tape, soft gray tissue paper all work together to provide a high end unboxing process. Opening the box after being impressed with all those little details the wrap itself was breathtaking. So soft and shimmery and luxe. The weave appears tight and fairly flat, but the pattern provides texture that I imagine will translate to grip, and holding the wrap up to the light there is an airiness apparent. The Blue Lagoon colorway is a bright and cheerful turquoise that looks especially lovely with the shimmery silver gray warp. I am pleased with the tote bag, simply one of the best totes to accompany a wrap, large and roomy to carry all your essentials and a few wraps as well. I also noted a sticker in the box that 5% of proceeds are donated to Tommy's, a charity that funds research into pregnancy problems. I really admire wrap companies that give back.

 

"wrong" side

The softest, silkiest linen I've ever experienced. Bracken Blue Lagoon arrived finished and floppy, no need to break in at all. It got better after a wash and with use of course. There is a medium to high amount of stretch when pulling diagonally. The silver gray dominant "right" side is a touch smoother and has a feel that should enhance glide. The "wrong" side has a more textured look and feel. The turquoise color is not so saturated, but adds more to the look of texture and gives a feel that signifies grip.

The design named for moorland ferns and underbrush also makes me think of frost patterns as well. Just exquisite and perfect as anything inspired by nature often is. The colors and design of Bracken Blue Lagoon will have wide appeal, but I can especially see babywearers who have a classic style with a hint of edge gravitating towards this one. Lovers of luxurious textiles should also take note, the feel is absolutely high end and quality. For me the colors and wrap design, well just looking at it makes me smile. The overall effect of color, texture, and design is beautiful and luxurious feeling.

I primarily wore Bracken Blue Lagoon with my younger main wrappee, but the obvious strength of the linen got me curious on how the wrap would fare with my heavy toddler. I wore him in a ruck of all things and the strength and support was definitely there. I don't wear my toddler for longer than half an hour usually, that's all he has the patience for, but a lovely bounce and cush was evident. For a wrap so light and thin in hand being toddler worthy in a ruck is quite the feat! With my main wrappee we put this one thru the paces of FWCC, double hammock many variations, shepherd's, kangaroo, and ruck. Moulds well and cocooned my baby perfectly. There is an amazing glide to grip ratio. A silky like slip makes second passes glide into place easily and just the right amount of grip to hold those passes and knots in place. The knots that tighten easily and hold are also small and neat. Wearing this wrap I was constantly surprised and astounded that it's a linen blend. When I think of linen I think crisp and needs to be broken in. Sling Studio "lazy linen" is so silky soft and fluffy with the combined cotton and just easy right from the start. I wore Bracken Blue Lagoon for long periods of time with my 25 pound wrappee and the bounce and cush kept me and my shoulders comfortable and happy for our 2 hour plus wear sessions. No adjustments needed either while wearing.

Sling Studio has fully converted me into a linen lover with this wrap. Linen wasn't something I ever actively sought out, it's not a fibre I felt I needed or wanted. How wrong I was! Sling Studio linen is simply lovely, exceptionally soft and silky feeling, while strong and supportive. Bracken Blue Lagoon is for everyone, new and experienced wrappers alike and will perform beautifully from newborn to toddler. Kitten belly soft for new babies, with the strength of linen for toddlers. I also recommend Bracken Blue Lagoon in all lengths, there's great strength and low to medium grip for a shorty, and it's light and airy for base sizes. If you are a lover of very thick and blankety wraps, or are looking for high grip and texture, you will want to pass. If you want minimal stretch, again pass. If you are looking for soft, light, and airy look no further. This is the wrap for you if you want linen, lower GSM, and luxury. This wrap is also for you if you want easy care, the linen is easy to launder and doesn't require an iron to function well and look good, plus with the fairly flat weave Bracken Blue Lagoon isn't pull prone. For me Sling Studio Bracken Blue Lagoon is a joy to wrap with and wear.

 

Thank you to Alicia for allowing me to test this exquisite textile!

*Sling Studio provided this wrap to me for review, but my feelings and thoughts on it are my own.*