This hot summer weather has us daydreaming of warmer climates and planning our holiday wardrobe. Here are some of our favourite sustainable swimwear labels for the beach, the pool, or simply sunbathing in your garden.
It feels like spring and summer are finally on the horizon, and that means it’s almost time to to get our sustainable swimwear out of storage. Unfortunately, conventional swimwear is often made from synthetic virgin materials such as nylon and polyester, but luckily, there are lots of brands making the most of incredible material innovations or natural fibres to facilitate the transition to more sustainable swimwear – from nylon made with fishing nets to a fibre from castor beans.
With sunshine on our minds right now, here are our favourite sustainable swimwear brands to dive into this season.
OHOY
Founded in 2016 by Scandinavian duo Anna and Henna, OHOY make swimwear from 100% ECONYL® regenerated nylon. ECONYL® yarn is made from nylon waste ghost fishing nets recovered from landfill and the oceans. When purchasing one of their swimsuits 1% of sales go to the non-profit Organization Healthy Seas in support of volunteer divers that help recover said fishing nets before they are sent to the regeneration facility.
Natasha Tonić
Natasha Tonić makes ethical swimwear from a unique, natural hemp fiber that is anti-microbial, UV resistant and durable. The hemp swimsuits can also double as lingerie, bodysuits or even activewear since it’s a completely natural fibre – the perfect addition to your capsule wardrobe.
Florita
Brazilian brand Florita makes sustainable beachwear that is ethically produced under Fair Trade working conditions and created with Amni Soul Eco®, a biodegradable environmentally friendly polyamide yarn. All pieces are made locally in Rio de Janeiro contributing to the community through job opportunities. The beautiful, vibrant colours are achieved by dyeing with recycled water and water-based dyes.
Mara Hoffman
US based brand Mara Hoffman makes her iconic swimsuits in ECONYL® regenerated nylon too. The brand has partnered with various organisations, such as artisan-focused non-profit Nest, and the Sustainable Apparel Coalition to achieve their sustainable goals. Read more about how Mara set up the eponymous brand in our Bringing Business To Life interview.
Mylo Beachwear
Mylo Beachwear make crochet swimwear hand-made by artisans in Mallorca. Each piece is made individually upon request, so no two pieces are the same and you will have to wait for the estimated manufacturing time. The pieces are all made from OKEO-TEX certified cotton.
La Bom
La Bom swimwear is built to last from ECONYL® regenerated nylon. For every bikini set sold online, La Bom will donate a menstrual cup to a young woman in need and fund The Cup Foundation, who are on a mission to empower underprivileged girls worldwide by providing them with sustainable menstrual cups and comprehensive education on sexuality and reproductive rights. The scheme is designed to help provide girls with education and long term support; giving her the freedom to manage their cycle and bodies with ease and dignity and helping to keep flushed plastics out of the oceans.
Stay Wild Swim
Brainchild of influencers Zanna Van Dijk and Natalie Glaze, Stay Wild Swim is created with the planet in mind. The swimwear is made from ECONYL® yarn and embroidered using RPET made from recycled water bottles. Find out more about the brand in our interview with the founders.
Kaio Swim
Kaio Swim was founded in March 2019 by two female entrepreneurs, Joanna and Chollada, who shared the same vision of creating a sustainable swimwear collection for women. The Pure collection is made out of ECONYL® regenerated nylon, contributing to the reduction of plastics landing in the environment and the use of crude oil for its production.
Vitamin A
Founded in 2000 by Amahlia Stevens, Vitamin A swimwear is designed and produced locally in California with EcoLux™ fabric which Amahlia developed herself from recycled nylon fibers. Since the launch, Vitamin A has also started using Oeko-Tex certified organic cotton, linen, recycled cotton and Tencel®. Their ribbed fabric is made from plant-based raw material sourced from the castor bean. The brand also partners with organisations that protect marine habitats by donating a portion of sales.
MYMARINI
MYMARINI is a Hamburg-based swimwear brand founded in 2013 by Mareen who a year prior to launching the brand quit her job and moved to Colombia to surf. She quickly realised that the current production of surfwear was unethical and something needed to change. MYMARINI swimwear is now made from ECONYL® regenerated nylon and the entire supply and production chain is located in Europe.
AMARA Tulum
AMARA Tulum is a Tulum-based swimwear brand. All items are made in Mexico by local artisans, to help support local Mexican communities by creating livable-wage jobs, minimizing negative impacts of tourism. The company also organises beach cleans to help protect wildlife from plastic waste. The styles are all reversible so you practically have two bikinis or suits instead of one and are made with ECONYL® regenerated nylon and Lycra® Xtra Life™.
ALDABRA Swimwear
ALDABRA Swimwear is named after the famous atoll located in the Seychelles, one of the greatest biodiversity’s sanctuary. The brand relies on the know-how and the ingenuity of the French designer who combines originality to sustainable fashion. All products are handmade in the workshop in France using ECONYL® regenerated nylon.
Carolina K
Carolina K is known for its work clothing made authentically by artisans from remote regions of Mexico, Peru, and India. The swimwear from the new ‘Zero Waste’ collection is made from ECONYL® regenerated nylon, made out of waste that’s been rescued from landfills and oceans around the world. The collection aims to use every last scrap of fabric used for each collection.
See our favourite men’s sustainable swimwear brands and eco swimwear for kids.
Wondering how to travel more consciously without using single-use plastics? Find all the tips here.
And if you are still on the look-out for your dream destination, see our favourite eco resorts and hotels.