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It’s beginning to heat up outside, which means one thing: Swimsuit season is almost upon us! While I usually just throw on one of my tried-and-true suits and head to the beach, this year I’m making a bigger effort to shop more sustainably. Luckily, when it comes to sustainable swimwear, the options run the gamut. So many brands are hopping on the sustainable train right now, but I only want the best of the best. So, I’ve taken the liberty of rounding up some of my favorite places to shop for sustainable, ethically-made bikinis and one-pieces, so that you can do the same.
There once was a time when the words “fashionable” and “sustainable” didn’t exactly go hand-in-hand, but I am happy to report that this is definitely no longer the case. Especially within the swimwear world, brands big and small are taking the necessary steps to make their products better for the planet. Some of the suits on this list are made from recycled textiles—like the ones from Summersalt and Andie—while others are made locally within the United States using ethical, eco-friendly processes. Shout out to Vitamin A for setting the bar so high!
Yes, I love buying pieces from the likes of more well-known brands like Everlane, but there are also tons of smaller, indie brands making a name for themselves in the sustainable swim world—and they make some of the cutest suits on the market, hands down.
Read on for a list of 13 swimwear brands every sustainable shopper should know about. Catch ya at the beach!
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Photo: Andie.
So many of Andie’s swimsuits are made from recycled nylon, like The Tulum one-piece. We love this classic design because it reminds us of Baywatch and don’t we all want our own Baywatch moment?
Photo: Everlane.
Everlane recently entered the swimwear scene, but its suits take simplicity to a whole new level. The pieces, like this scoop-neck bikini top, are made of 82 percent ECONYL yarn, which is a 100 percent regenerated nylon fiber that is made from nylon waste (think fishing nets, fabric scraps, carpet flooring and industrial plastic). This use of ECONYL is a huge win for our planet!
Photo: CUUP.
CUUP follows Everlane in also using ECONYL to make its swimwear. The brand’s ECONYL in particular is created with recycled fishing nets, discarded carpet and pre and post-consumer waste. As for design, CUUP nails sleek and effortless swim silhouettes. Take, for example, The Balconette Swim Top, which is inspired by balconette bras.
Courtesy of Wolven.
This reversible halter swimsuit is made from recycled bottles, but you would never know it based on how cute it is. Wolven has made sustainability one of its central pillars through its investments in carbon offset initiatives and its continued partnership with Carbon Neutral. In fact, most of its swimsuits are reversible so you get twice the wear — and bang for your buck.
Courtesy of Venus.
Venus is famous for its massive selection of swimwear, but allow me to introduce you to its equally-cute sustainable collection. Both this bikini top and the matching bottoms, for instance, are made entirely from recycled textiles. Even better, all of the designs are digitally printed, which helps reduce the amount of water used throughout the creation process.
Courtesy of Boden.
Boden has taken steps throughout their supply chain to guarantee that their products are made with as little impact on the earth as possible—and they’re planning to make their entire swimwear line 100% recycled or regenerated products by 2025. In the meantime, this striped one-piece is made from recycled materials and would look oh so cute with a tan.
Courtesy of Lively.
Lively owns the factory where all of their products are produced, which means they control the quality and composition of every single item on their site from start to finish—especially their range of sustainable swimwear. This stripey set, for instance, is made from 80 percent recycled nylon.
Photo: Summersalt.
All of Summersalt’s swimwear is made from a fabric crafted from 78% recycled polyamide. Basically, it’s made from old fishing nets that came out of the ocean and they somehow turn it into cute, stylish suits like this one.
Courtesy of Vitamin A.
Like all of Vitamin A’s pieces, this classic bikini arrives at your house in packaging that is both biodegradable and recyclable. The brand’s EcoLux material is the first luxury swimwear fabric made from recycled nylon fibers. Yay for women-owned brands doing the most!
Courtesy of Ookioh.
Since it launched in 2018, Ookioh has become one of the best-known sustainable swimwear brands in the biz. Each of their modern suits is designed with fabrics created from ocean waste. Plus, they’re trying to go completely plastic-free over the next two years. This one-piece suit, for example, is made from 78% recycled polyamide. I love the underwire cup detailing!
Photo: Sanctuary.
This sexy suit is made from 85 percent recycled polyester, which means that it’s not only ethical, but super-flattering and won’t lose its shape after you take a dip in the pool. In addition to swimsuits, Sanctuary also makes clothing from low-impact or recycled fabrics and their denim is created using 95% less water than your average pair of blue jeans. AKA, they should be one of your new go-to brands for everything.
Photo: Maaji.
Maaji’s swimwear line is designed with fabrics created from post-consumer recycled yarn and manufactured using 98 percent less water than your average swimsuit. This one-piece is A) super cute and B) designed using 82 percent recycled polyamide.
Courtesy of Kingdom and State.
This paisley suit from Kingdom and State is available in sizes up to 3X and is made from recycled nylon spandex. By using recycled nylon, the brand is able to reduce its carbon emissions by over 23 percent! Plus, their dying process generates 85% less water, 64 percent less electric power and 86 percent less steam than normal productions would.
