It’s summer! Time to head to the nearest waterbodies and chill. But, wearing what? Here are some stunning ethical swimwear brands for summer. These aren’t your regular swimwear brands; these are brands that use eco-friendly + sustainable materials and transparent supply chains and business practices.
But, wait. What is wrong with the “regular” swimwear brands?
First of all, the fashion industry is one of the biggest industrial polluters in the world, so we should look into the details of every fashion item we purchase (of which swimwear is one) before we buy. Secondly, until quite recently all swimwear items were made of nylon and polyester, both of which are non-biodegradable synthetic materials made from petrochemicals. Looking for swimwear companies that do better is important – more important than finding the best bikinis!
And, last but not least, approximately 1.4 BILLION pounds of trash goes into the ocean each year. Our fashion choices are poisoning our oceans and food supplies, and it’s only right that when we go to the seaside, we do all we can to minimize our negative impact on the seas.
Ethical Swimwear?
Do these “ethical” swimwear brands actually manufacture their products responsibly? From what I could make out, these bathing suit companies either source natural materials or repurposed plastics (a lot of which is from fishing nets). In fact, many of these brands use ocean plastics as one of their starting materials! Econyl, for example, is a material that’s made from ocean plastics that have been sorted and broken down, and melted into soft threads. This thread is used in brands such as Speedo’s H2O Active, Outerknown and many others.
While the material these brands use may not be perfectly sustainable, what we should look for is that they do the most that is possible to make their businesses and products sustainable and ethical, treating both workers and the environment as much more vital than simply turning a profit every quarter. In this ultra-capitalistic world of ours, this is what we can do as individual consumers. We do need swimsuits – unless there’s a nudist beach close to where you live – and the best thing we can do is to buy swimwear as infrequently as is humanly possible, and buy from businesses that follow at least some of the values that we ideally ought to be looking for in all businesses.
Besides, these brands also focus on making swimwear that lasts. A relief from the fast-fashion strategy of use and throw.
Finally: one extra reason to check out these ethical swimwear brands? They look gorgeous!
The Ultimate List of Ethical Swimwear Brands
Let’s get started. This is a list of ethical swimwear brands in alphabetical order.
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Aquadiva | Australia
Auria | United Kingdom
Azura Bay | USA
Batoko | United Kingdom
Beach Access | Indonesia
Bombshell Bay | Australia
Batoko
Camp Cove Swim | Australia
Cecile Swim | Australia & Indonesia
Davy J | United Kingdom
Deakin and Blue | United Kingdom
Davy JElle Evans | Australia
Faherty | USA
Finisterre | United Kingdom
Galamaar | USA
Good Studios | Australia
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Jessica Rey Swimwear | USA
JETS Swimwear | Australia
Koru Swimwear | New Zealand
Kowtow | USA
JETS Swimwear
Liar the Label | Australia
Loop Swim | China
Mara Hoffman | USA
Mona California | USA
MYMARINI | Germany
MYMARINI
Nettle’s Tale | Canada
Novah Swimwear | Bermuda
Ocean ZEN | Australia
Outdoor Voices | USA
Nettle’s Tale
Patagonia | USA
Reformation (Why is this struck through?)| USA
Ruby Moon | United Kingdom
Ruby Moon
Saltsuit | New Zealand
Shapes in the Sand | Australia
Stidston Swimwear | United Kingdom
Shapes in the Sand
Summersalt | USA
Swoon Swimwear | USA
Tropic of C | USA
Tropic of C
Undersea Bikini | Hungary
Vitamin A | USA
Zulu and Zephyr | Australia
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What About Secondhand Swimwear?
Trying on secondhand swimwear items may sound weird, but it’s not that horrifying if you shop on Depop, Poshmark, or ThredUp, where they have options for swimwear items that have never been worn. If you’re looking for more affordable swimwear, secondhand is your best bet.
You can also check out Etsy for more like these amazing ethical, handmade swimsuits made with recycled materials (including this pretty bikini made from “sustainable scuba jersey fabric reclaimed from the fast fashion industry”).
Of course, if you aren’t icky about pre-owned swimwear items, there are thrifted options galore.
Minimize Micro-plastic Waste
As much as buying ethical and eco-friendly is important, it’s also important to take good care of them. After your swim, rinse your swimsuit gently in warm water and allow it to air dry (you can handwash it at home with a non-toxic detergent). This will not only lengthen its life, but will also limit the number of micro and nano plastic particles that eventually end up in the ocean. Read more detailed instructions on washing your swimsuit.
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Read More About Summer Fashion
The Environmental Impact of Fashion
Sustainable Outdoor Gear for the Eco-Adventurous
Ethical Fashion: Organic cotton brands that are changing the industry
The Best Linen Jumpsuits for Summer
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NOTE: All brand photographs belong to the respective brands/businesses.
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