As summer approaches, many of us can’t wait to stretch down our towel in the sand while boosting our energy levels with sweet Vitamin D. It sounds so relaxing, but there is one tiny task to check off of your list before heading to the beach. You have to stock up on swimwear! Or at least, invest in one quality piece that won’t let you down. We perfectly understand that when it comes to bikini shopping, things can get easily out of control. It seems like your options are unlimited and it is quite easy to run into cheap, poor-quality pieces. However, there are sustainable swimwear brands that are 100% worth both your trust and money.
But how do you know which swimwear company to give a chance to? What makes a swimsuit sustainable? And most importantly, where can you find these brands? There’s no need to panic, we are here to help you out.
10 Sustainable Swimwear Brands
We collected 10 sustainable swimwear brands that we can confidently recommend to you. In today’s article, we are going to take a close look at each brand and give you our honest opinion about them. As we always do, we are going to share our thoughts and impressions on the values of each company, look behind the production process, see what fabrics and materials the items are made of and what previous shoppers think about the brands. If you are interested, check out our list of the best sustainable swimwear brands, and find out why we believe that these brands won’t disappoint.
1. Blackborough Swim
When it comes to sustainable swimwear brands, Blackborough Swim is definitely one of the go-to places you should head to. The company provides comfortable, yet chic swimsuits and bikinis inspired by tropical summers. On the website, you will find swimwear in all colors and fits you can imagine, with all types of coverage and style. Textured swimwear is one of the brand’s signature products, and to be fair it is something that you don’t usually come across, so it is worth checking out. The designs in all cases are beautiful and flattering, so you can feel at your best no matter your body type or shape.
But what makes Blackborough Swim sustainable is the company’s approach to fashion when it comes to sourcing the fabrics and creating the designs. They use recycled fabrics and work with suppliers that share their mindset and put the well-being of the environment and employees first. Being an earth ally, one of the most important missions of Blackborough is to create high-quality, durable swimwear with minimal impact on the environment.
Just to give you an idea of the pricing, the cheapest bottom costs $40, while the most expensive top is $65. Despite the prices being a little bit steep, previous buyers are genuinely satisfied with the brand and say that it is worth every penny.
Being an online brand, to shop from Blackborough Swim, you will need to head to the official website. Enjoy your shopping!
2. Summersalt
It is undeniably challenging to find sustainable swimwear brands affordable for a broader range of people. From getting your hands on the right materials, and sourcing high-quality fabrics, to relying on slow fashion techniques that keep your carbon footprint low, ethical production itself costs a lot more than producing fast-fashion items. And as a result, sustainable clothing comes with a high price tag not many can afford. Summersalt’s biggest mission is to change this.
The brand offers designer swimwear, yet leaves the designer price behind. The cheapest one-piece swimsuit made of 78% recycled polyamide and 22% elastane costs $95. Both bikini bottoms and tops cost around $50, so you can purchase a durable, high-quality set that is not only stylish but is made to last, too for $100.
In terms of designs, the colors are mesmerizing. One of the most iconic pieces are part of the Marina collection, where the brand beautifully combines vibrant colors. They play with the fabrics and tailoring, making sure that the result is flattering and feminine for any body type.
3. Faithfull the Brand
When searching for sustainable swimwear brands, you might come across the Indonesia-based Faithfull the Brand. The company was founded by Norvegian Them-Enger and Australian Sarah-Jane Abraham who met in 2012 in Bali. Inspired by their passion for fashion and traveling they combined the two and created a sustainable fashion brand with the modern traveler in mind.
All their swimsuits are handmade by local artisans in Bali that use slow fashion DIY techniques such as hand dyeing and hand printing. Their partnership with Balinese manufacturers allows the brand to empower local communities and give them a chance to work in an ethical environment and earn fair wages.
As you take a look at the swimwear section, you will see that simplicity and effortless style are what truly define the brand. All designs are made to enhance your figure and allow you to move freely while swimming in the ocean or spending a day by the pool. For Faithfull the Brand, comfort, and durability come first. In terms of prices, the price of bikinis starts at $31 and goes up to $95.
4. Patagonia
Of all the sustainable swimwear brands mentioned today in our review, probably Patagonia is the most well-known brand. Their swimwear selection is not large, but decent and all the pieces are very versatile. Looking at the items our first impression is that these swimsuits are all sporty and comfort is put first. On the website, you will find bikinis, one-piece swimsuits, and technical swimwear such s boardshorts, long-sleeved swimsuits, and wetsuits of all kinds.
But how is Patagonia swimwear sustainable? Well, first let’s take a look at the fabrics and materials used in the production. First of all, each piece is created in a Fair Trade USA Certified facility. This means that for forever Fair Trade Certified items sold, the company pays an extra fee that will be used for different purposes within the community such as health care, child care centers, or cash bonuses.
Patagonia pays special attention to practicing ethical production and improving the day-to-day lives of entire communities. The Patagonia swimwear is made of recycled materials such as nylon or polyester, but you will also find pieces made of NetPlus Recycled fishing nets.
In terms of prices, the cheapest bikini top costs $59, while the most expensive is $79. The prices of bottoms vary in the same range.
5. Left on Friday
When it comes to sustainable women’s swimwear, Left on Friday is an icon. “Designed for sport. Destined for fun.” This is how the company defines itself. And to be fair, what else would you need if all you want is to spend a fun day on the beach or by the pool and feel at your best in a comfortable, good-looking bikini? Their athletic-inspired swimwear selection is not only practical but flattering, too.
All designs have one purpose. The company wants to make sure that no matter your body type, shape, figure, or the activity you plan for the beach day, let’s say surfing, wakeboarding, or any water sports you can imagine, your swimsuit must be able to keep up with you and provide all the comfort and confidence you need. The compressive materials they use in the designs are not only high-quality and durable but provide smoothing coverage, too. Yes, they will hide cellulite and feel like “butter on the body”.
What makes the brand sustainable is its approach to fashion. They believe that less is more, and by creating high-quality products that will last longer, they are able to contribute to lowering waste caused by the fashion industry. Their swimwear is multifunctional. One well-made bikini that is durable and quick to dry can serve you for years, not like cheap disposable swimsuits that simply wear off after one or two vacations. The company also uses recyclable packaging and let’s just quote them: “yell at people that don’t recycle”.
One-piece swimsuits cost $170, while tops and bottoms are $85.
6. Carve Designs
Looking for the best sustainable swimwear brands, you might have come across Carve Designs. According to the company’s self-presentation, the brand was born at the beach and they get their inspiration from the outdoors. Carve Designs believe that we didn’t inherit the Earth from our ancestors, instead, we borrowed it from our children. This is how we should approach the treasures of our environment that were lent to us and use them respectfully and wisely, so our children can enjoy them, too.
Carve Designs have a huge selection of swimwear to choose from. Of all the sustainable swimwear brands mentioned above, this company has the most products, so get ready to get lost in the world of colorful, vibrant one-pieces and bikinis. Feather Floral, Orchard & Fuchsia, Navy Stripe, Botanical & Polka Dot are one of the most popular collections. The swimsuits are available in many different colors and there is a wide range of fits and styles you can choose from.
All swimsuits are made of 100% recycled material, more exactly plastic bottles found in the ocean. According to the company’s website, each piece of swimsuit is made of 5 plastic bottles and the result is an incredibly soft at the touch, easy to take care swimsuit that is made to last.
Price-wise, the cheapest item is the $42 St Bart Bottom, a basic bikini bottom available in black, navy blue, navy stripe, and orchard colors. Prices go up to $168, which is the price of the most expensive item, the Offshore LS Shortie, a short made for water sports such as surfing, kitesurfing, or wakeboarding.
7. Girlfriend Collective
If you want to treat yourself to sustainable women’s swimwear, Girlfriend Collective might be the brand you are looking for. What makes this brand worth checking out is its broad range of sizing. All their swimsuits are available in all sizes from XXS up to 6XL. Their color palette is quite simple honestly, the swimsuits are available in black, blue, red and yellow. However, if you prefer a mono-colored swimsuit, you won’t have any trouble finding a bikini or one-piece swimsuit you like.
Being a sustainable swimwear brand, the prices of Girlfriend Collective items are really budget-friendly. Bikini bottoms cost $45, while all tops are $50. The most expensive items are one-piece swimsuits, these can be purchased for $95. All of the swimsuits are made in an SA8000 certified factory, which guarantees that their operation is practiced within strict regulations and that all employees are well-treated and well-paid. The company uses recycled materials, as well as plastic bottles, and when it comes to dyeing the fabrics, they rely on eco-friendly techniques.
8. Wolven
As you already know, the number of sustainable swimwear brands affordable to many is quite low. Wolven is an exception to highly-priced sustainable swimwear, as it offers not only reasonably priced items but quite good deals too. Their usual promotion allows you to purchase 2 swimwear and get 1 free, which is amazing if you want to stock up on high-quality, durable swimwear for the summer.
The company follows carbon offset practices, investing in programs that offset the emissions they created during the production. They partnered up with Climate Neutral and each year, after calculating their carbon footprint, they purchase carbon credits to neutralize the past year’s footprint. This means that at the end of the day, Wolven is a carbon neutral company, which is amazing if you aim for sustainability. Also, like many sustainable swimwear brands, Wolvenmakes their swimwear from recycled plastic bottles.
In terms of prices, Wolven tops and bottoms cost around $50-$70, while the price of one-pieces can go up to $168.
9. Everlane
If you are looking for cheap sustainable swimwear for the hot summer days, Everlane is a go-to brand that provides comfortable, well-made swimsuits and bikinis that are affordable. Everlane operated on one simple mission to make a global difference in the fashion industry. They believe in the value of craftsmanship, and the importance of ethical production and aim to create items that are made to stand the test of time. They are very transparent about the entire production practices from sourcing the fabrics to creating the packaging for the orders. Only the best materials are used in making their swimwear line that is sustainable and made with minimal impact on the environment. The company is committed to providing quality to their customers, but they also
Their swimwear is trendy and elegant, with a special take on femininity. All pieces are undeniably flattering and feminine, and the designs emphasize the beauty of the female body without showing too much. If you prefer swimwear like this, you will fall in love with this brand.
Price-wise, Everlane swimwear is quite affordable. One-piece swimsuits cost $70, which is a great price if you compare it to other prices offered by the other sustainable swimwear brands mentioned in our review.
10. Ansea
Last, but not least, on our list of sustainable women’s swimwear is Ansea, a lifestyle and fashion brand selling chic recycled swimsuits, wetsuits, and RTW. Along with their belief that “saltwater is the cure for anything”, they also believe that women deserve swimwear that is chic and functional at the same time.
Ansea bikinis come in vibrant colors, you will find beautiful pink, yellow, red, green, and multi-color swimwear that will elevate your look and cheer you up. There are a lot of different fits and types to choose from, so depending on what level of coverage you feel comfortable wearing, you can find all types of tops and bottoms.
Their operation is responsible and ethical and their swimwear is made from sustainable materials such as yulex. Yulex is a plant-based, FSC-certified natural rubber used in the fashion industry. What makes yulex a great material for swimwear is that it is durable, yet soft it feels good on the skin. Compared to neoprene, yulex requires 80% less carbon emission, which is a huge advantage for brands like Ansea that aim to lower their carbon footprint.
In terms of prices, Ansea is one of the pricy sustainable swimwear brands. You will hardly find anything under $100, as tops and bottoms usually cost around $125-$145. If you want to invest in a one-piece swimsuit, you will find beautiful items for $195-$225. Surf suits cost $250.
Sustainable Swimwear Brands: Editor’s Verdict
In a world where some fast fashion brands are constantly launching hundreds of new swimwear on a regular basis, sustainable swimwear brands are facing a serious challenge. Creating ethical and sustainable clothing has its own challenges throughout the production process. These companies have to source the right materials, find like-minded suppliers and employees who share their mission to protect our environment, and practice a different approach to the fashion industry. They need strong values focused on their mission to never cut corners and to always try to improve themselves. And last, but not least, there is the challenge to provide their customers with high-quality, well-made products that are worth the higher price tag.
As a customer, you have the power to decide which brand is worth your hard-earned money and which fashion approach you can support. In the long run, buying less, yet buying better can make a huge difference globally and this is what sustainable swimwear brands are trying to achieve.
Are you on the lookout for other fashion brands? Check out our reviews of the 10 Sustainable Underwear Brands, Adore Me and Annie Cloth.
