Does anyone else feel like it’s silly to buy a swimsuit, all year round, and the first heatwave hits and you panic? I’m trying to get ahead of it early for once, and to my surprise and delight am actually overwhelmed by the options we now have when it comes to sustainable swimwear. With the amount of ocean waste—such as fishing nets—and plastics, like water bottles—that can be recycled into swimwear, there’s no need for virgin nylon or polyester blends to be used. While I’ve long known about some of the more iconic swimwear brands on this list, such as Vitamin A Swim, I’ve also recently discovered so many new-to-me companies whose designs are just as impressive as their ethics. Below, find my top 17, and trust me when I say, thanks to the algorithm, I had a lot more to choose from.
(Pro tip: If you really want to find more ethical fashion brands, make sure you’re searching it online and on Instagram, like all the time. Creepy as targeted ads can be, I DO like that my feed is now filled with sustainable shopping!)
Find Your Suit from 17 Sustainable Swimwear Brands
1. Size inclusive swim brand Kitty + Vibe offers tons of prints, patterns, and styles, including creative collabs like this line created in partnership with slow fashion brand Noble. Their swimsuits are available in XS up to 6X, and there are options for different size busts and booties. Hallelujah! Suits are made from a recycled poly blend.
2. Natasha Tonic creates sustainable hemp swimwear made in Los Angeles. She is a one-woman show behind the concepts, design, pattern-making and production of swimsuits as well as activewear and linen clothing. Sizes XS-XXL. Comes in plastic-free packaging!
3. I know I’ve said this in other fashion posts, but Australia kills it when it comes to stylish ethical fashion. Baiia is home to the world’s first 3-piece wrap suit, a reversible design that gives you more bang for your buck.
4. Vitamin A Swim specializes in eco and recycled fabrics offered in their bikinis, one pieces, and coverups. Unfortunately, it looks like sizing is pretty standard, only XS-XL offered.
5. LA made Galamaar is simple, sexy, and made for the ultimate comfort and functionality. Shown above is their Butter Yellow One Piece Swimsuit. Also offered in XS-XL.
6. Swimwear brand SALNES offers worldwide shipping on swimsuits designed in Madrid and produced in Bogota. You can shop via Instagram or whatsapp. I’m unsure of their full size range.
7. Another Australian label bimby + roy makes intimates that you can sleep and swim in! XS-XXL.
8. Strange Bikinis offers biodegradable swimsuits (that can break down in a landfill) as well as those made with recycled plastic. Sizes S-3XL.
9. Another recent swimsuit discovery of mine is Manakai Swimwear, who is Hawaii’s first ethical swimwear brand. Once again… they’re reversible! S-L.
10. Cleonie Swim uses an eco friendly crinkle fabric (recycled polyester and ECONYL regenerated nylon) that is super stretchy to fit a variety of body shapes. They have gorgeous color block bikinis and one pieces.
11. Koraru swimsuits are designed in Tokyo, made in Colombia and give back to the Coral Reef Alliance.
12. LONDRE swimsuits are iconic. They are ethically and sustainably made in Vancouver, with sizes from XS-4XL. This top can be worn forward or backward!
13. Loop Swimwear offers eco swimwear for the global traveller. They have super fun prints and even offer rash guards. Everything is made from recycled plastic! (Photo: Shannon Tracy) Sizes XS-XL.
14. Scampi Swimwear is a Swedish swimsuit company that uses recycled fabrics. I love their color blocking! Sizes XS-XXL
15. Midori Bikinis is where comfort meets confidence. Their seamless, sustainable swimwear is made from LYCRA® XTRA LIFE™ and excess fabric is repurposed into dog beds donated to shelters. Their bikinis are available in an impressive array of prints and styles, and sizes XS-XXL.
16. Established in 2021, Berlook offers fun, trendy swimwear in tons of styles and colors, made from mostly recycled materials. I ordered from them in the past but the suits were too small (I think they run small in general), but they’ve since launched a plus-size option. They take pride in responsible sourcing and state that they use ethical manufacturing (I believe the products ship from China). Not all pieces are lurex, though a lot of them are, and I think given the rest of the brand’s practices it gives those looking for metallic styles a more sustainable alternative than the rest.
17. Dippin Daisys is an affordable swimsuit brand with virtually endless options for styles. All of their swimwear is made with recycled fabrics, and the elastic used in them is made from rubber trees! The full link is available for XS-XL, but they offer ten pages of options with sizing up to 3x.
Which sustainable swimwear brands are you buying this summer? Where do you find the best swimsuits?
your two cents