Top 10 Sustainable Swimwear to Know, Wear, and Glorify Summer 2023
Do you know what material your swimwear is composed of? You might be surprised by the response. New and inventive manufacturing techniques are being employed by emerging firms to produce fashionable one-pieces and bikinis more environmentally friendly than their nylon predecessors. Outdated fishing nets and even ocean garbage are recycled by eco-friendly businesses to create sustainable swimwear that is becoming viral on social media.
Shopping for swimwear may be intimidating and, to be quite honest, unpleasant. The procedure leaves a lot to be desired, from the poor lighting in the changing rooms to attempting to create a look we feel secure in. In addition, a lot of swimwear is produced using unethical or unethical production processes or constructed from non-sustainable materials.
Thankfully, eco-friendly swimsuit companies produce adorable and cozy swimsuits for all body types and sizes. In addition to producing comfortable, elastic swimwear, eco-friendly fabrics made from recycled plastics also help prevent garbage from entering the ocean, fostering a cycle of consumption far healthier for the environment. In addition to making online shopping convenient and enjoyable, these businesses place a high priority on sustainability and ethical production. Also, a lot of the businesses listed below have fantastic customer care staff, actual customer evaluations, and unedited photographs to aid you in finding the ideal fit and style. You will indeed find something for your next pool day, from one-pieces and bodysuits to mix-and-match bikinis.
Top 10 Sustainable Swimwear Brands | 2023
Wear a sustainable bathing suit to the beach or pool to unwind and have fun. Everyone may find a pair of sports swimsuits, a fully covered one-piece, or a beautiful bikini. Size-inclusive companies that sell plus-size eco-friendly swimwear are also highlighted.
Being environmentally conscious when it comes to our wardrobes is more crucial than ever. This includes how we dress for the holidays. Nowadays, it's possible to find a variety of eco-friendly swimwear manufacturers, each of which offers stylish styles and eco-friendly manufacturing methods.
We've gathered a list of our favorite ethical, environmentally friendly, and sustainably produced swimwear companies for your next summer bathing suit. Some of them also offer reasonably priced swimsuits and bikinis.
1. Matteau
A company called Matteau genuinely appreciates how unique each body is. Ilona Hamer and Peta Heinsen, two sisters who are now business owners, made careful to fit their swimwear on friends and family to ensure it suited everyone and empowered their clients. It is understandable why some of the most fashionable women, including Jeanne Damas and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, are admirers of the company. Matteau continuously strives to make changes to company operations that will make them as environmentally friendly as possible, such as compensating for carbon emissions and tracking the origin of its supplies. Matteau company is eager to help the sustainable fashion to thrive day by day.
2. Hunza G
To make its renowned crinkle swimwear, Hunza G's production cycle starts and ends there in the UK. In order to decrease waste, the company also creates short runs of headbands and scrunchies from extra fabric. As they are made of post-consumer plastic, even their poly bags are recyclable, recyclable, and biodegradable. In addition to employing eco-friendly materials, Hunza G puts the needs of the community first by giving a part of its sales to organizations like Street Smart UK.
3. Ookioh
Clean edges, timeless shapes, and vibrant hues define Ookioh's eco-friendly swimsuits and fast fashion. Also, the fabric for their swimsuits is solely made of recycled and renewable resources.
Because of their materials' comfort, this playful and adventure-inspired sustainable swimwear brand advises using their one-pieces as bodysuits and bikinis as your base layer for an entire vacation day. If I may, no problem!
4. LemLem
LemLem is a brand that epitomizes the slow fashion trend because of its focus on African design and workmanship. Not to mention their dresses, their suits are just very stunning. Their products are handcrafted in Africa using materials that have a luxurious feel and are responsibly sourced. Its swimwear fabric was created in association with Repreve, a polyester fiber manufactured from recycled plastic bottles. The swimsuit items are moreover constructed of Econyl, a recycled nylon designed from the trash from landfills and the ocean.
5. Nanushka
Budapest is the home of the Hungarian apparel brand Nanushka. It produces eco-friendly clothing for both sexes as well as accessories, and it has a lovely selection of basics, denim, loungewear, knitwear, and outerwear. The use of recycled and organic materials in Nanushka's swimwear line links with the company's overall sustainability philosophy, which emphasizes earth, community, and circularity. Nanushka has introduced programs like Repair, Rent, and Recycle to extend the life of their clothing, as well as rental collaborations with HURR and Rent the Runway, in addition to textile innovation.
6. Do Good
Do Good swimwear is a women's surf collective that sells eco-friendly, reasonably priced, and sustainably constructed swimwear. Not only are they conveniently accessible, but they also contribute to environmental benefits. Every swimwear is manufactured from recycled ocean garbage, including plastic bottles, fish nets, and other materials. Also, sales proceeds from each transaction are donated to nonprofits that have a positive social impact and work to save the oceans.
7. Summersalt
Summersalt creates the ideal fit for eco-friendly swimwear using 1.5M measurements from 10,000 women and a unique method. These two- and one-piece suits (including pregnancy and long torso choices! ), which come in a variety of styles, are stylish, environmentally friendly, and built to last. They are created from recycled fabrics that have four times the compression and five times the strength of regular swimwear. And the majority of them cost less than $100. We really adore Summersalt's distinctive one-pieces since they fit well and offer comfortable covering while feeling seductive.
8. Carve Design
Friends and fellow surfers Jennifer Hinton and Thayer Sylvester founded Carve Design in 2003. They wanted to make women's swimwear and surf clothing that was stylish, functional, and comfortable all at once. In addition to designing its swimsuits for "genuine women with real bodies and a real zest for adventure," Carve Designs has made sustainability one of the cornerstones of its mission statement. Its whole product range, including 85% of its swimwear, is made up of 85% recycled and/or sustainable materials, and its packaging is made of plant-based, biodegradable materials.
9. Girlfriend Collective
Girlfriend is undoubtedly a fan favorite for activewear because it is the swimsuit line on this list with the largest size diversity. Girlfriend, a go-to brand for eco-friendly sportswear, also offers swimwear. They have one of the most inclusive size-ranges from an eco-conscious manufacturer and provide eco-friendly one-piece and bikini shapes in a variety of colors. We're ecstatic to see them launch a swimsuit collection! These swimming suits are fairly plain and available in a variety of colors. Also, they donate 1% of their profits to Healthy Seas.
10. Vitamin A
Vitamin A swimwear drew its inspiration from the beach glamor of the 1970s and was founded, developed, and made in California. The company is setting the standard with materials like stretch-ribbed EcoRib® and superfine matte jersey EcoLuxTM, both of which are manufactured from recycled nylon and bio-based fibers. Where feasible, the prints are produced using water-saving digital technology, and the packing boxes are totally recyclable and biodegradable. Hundreds of possibilities are available, and each one is as appealing as the next.
What should you look for when shopping for sustainable bathing suits?
Sustainable swimwear manufactured without synthetic fiber has been quite challenging to come by (if you are unfamiliar, these fibers are petrochemical-based and do not biodegrade like natural fibers). Despite efforts by businesses to avoid using virgin synthetic materials, microplastics are still a problem in ethical swimwear. Instead, these companies are using post-consumer trash, such as plastic bottles and fishing nets, to make new performance textiles that are just as effective as any other bathing suit you can purchase.
Here are some of the most important “Dos & Don’ts” before, while, and after shopping sustainable swimsuits:
Avoid virgin plastic
It's better to steer clear of swimsuits produced from virgin nylon and polyester, given the enormous amount of plastic that already exists (nearly 8.3 billion tonnes, to be exact). A growing number of companies are switching to recyclable substitutes like Econyl, regenerated nylon that is gathered from garbage and our seas.
Opt for natural fibers
Several businesses have also started employing natural fabrics since regenerated nylon still leaks microplastics when cleaned. The fact that hemp is a natural fiber and that it breathes better on the body makes it fantastic. Hemp cultivation improves soil quality and consumes much less water than cotton. Yulex, a natural rubber substitute for neoprene made of petroleum, is used by SLO Active, a company that is focused on watersports.
Look for low-impact dyes
Seek out companies whose products don't contain toxic heavy metals and whose fabrics have been Standard 100 by Oeko-Tex or Bluesign certified as having been made without the use of any harmful chemicals. Tonic says to find out what sort of dye is being used. "To conserve water, [we utilize] garment-dying in Los Angeles and low-impact dyes for our swimwear. As a result, the fabric can be used wisely before being converted into swimwear.
Shop for a swimsuit that’ll stand the test of time
If you want to lessen your impact on the environment, you should invest in swimwear that will endure rather than something you'll wear for one summer and then throw away. This calls for choosing sturdy furnishings that will last a long period rather than weak materials that will deform easily. When it comes to our approach, we're seasonless, says Glaze of Stay Wild Swim's designs. In contrast to the conventional fast-fashion paradigm, our objective is to purchase one piece that will fit well and endure for years.
Hand-wash where possible
To make sure that your swimsuit lasts, take adequate care of it. Experts advise hand-washing your items and avoiding direct sunlight while hanging them up to dry, as this might cause the color to fade. According to Glaze, we always encourage hand washing since the abrasive washing machine operation is what indeed produces [microplastics]. But, if you want to machine wash your swimwear, be sure to use a Guppyfriend washing bag or a microplastic filter since this will stop the hazardous particles from entering our waterways.
Use recycling schemes
Make sure your swimwear doesn't wind up in a landfill when it inevitably reaches the end of its useful life. When you're done using your swimsuit, you may mail it back to SLO Active through their recycling program. According to Wilkins, when a customer has worn a suit, we may either repair it or, if they decide not to keep it, recycle it for use in the next collection.
Support brands making a positive impact
Several swimsuit companies support charitable organizations to make sure their business practices have a beneficial social and environmental impact. SLO Active creator Wilkins claims that with every item purchased, a donation is made to a partner organization that supports the oceans at the customer's request. The company gives at least 3% of its earnings each year. In order to be sustainable, one must consider the demands of the environment and take appropriate action.
These are the eco-friendly swimwear fabrics to know:
The most common swimsuit fabrics in this article are going to be REPREVE and ECONYL®. The most prevalent form of recycled nylon that we can locate is Econyl, which is a fiber that is 100 percent recycled and recyclable. Fabric scraps and other pre- and post-consumer trash are used to make it (fishing nets, old carpets...).
Oeko-Tex Standard 100 awarded Econyl its seal of approval. It ensures that no dangerous substances to our health are present in the content. Repreve is a synthetic material. However, it's made of recycled polyester rather than nylon. It is the world's top-selling brand of recycled performance fiber and is created from pre- and post-consumer trash and plastic bottles.
Together with these two well-liked options, you may also discover EcoRib (a stretchy ribbed fabric derived from leftover nylon fibers) and Bio-Nylon (a biodegradable plant-based fiber).
Last but not least…
The modal fabric for many eco-friendly swimsuit manufacturers is made from recycled post-consumer items like plastic bottles and fishing nets. Also, most ethical swimsuit companies provide a care guide that explains how to wash your suits to avoid washing microplastics down the drain, even if microplastics cannot be avoided unless you choose a suit made of natural fibers.
Then there is the matter of the manufacturing side of things. Swimwear is frequently produced by fast fashion businesses as rapidly and inexpensively as possible, typically at the expense of working conditions, manufacturing waste, and product quality.
Ethical swimwear is produced in ethical facilities that reduce pollution during production and treat their staff decently.
Frequently asked questions
Can swimwear be eco-friendly?
Yes, of course. Bikinis, swimsuits, and board shorts are just a few examples of eco-friendly swimwear available today. All of these items are manufactured ethically and with 100% sustainable materials.
How do you make swimsuits eco-friendly?
Choose textiles that are sustainable and beneficial to the environment, such as organic cotton, hemp, linen, wool, bamboo, Tencel, and others. Make your line of eco-swimwear with recycled fabric. Get your textiles GOTS certified, which guarantees that they are environmentally friendly. Use organic dyes.
How ethical is Cupshe?
Known for selling super-cute statement swimsuits at low pricing (around $30), Cupshe is a fast-fashion swimsuit company.
What is sustainable swimwear fabric?
Natural fibers and recycled fibers fall into two categories when it comes to sustainable swimwear. One of the most eco-friendly materials on the market, hemp is the clear winner in this case.
