The heat of the summer is here and if you haven’t already found your summer suit, now is the time. Check out some of our sustainable options below, with a variety of styles and price points.

When it comes to fabrics, typically the best sustainable fabrics are organic or fully biodegradable, such as cotton, linen, and hemp. However, these fabrics aren’t as appropriate when it comes to swimwear, as it needs to be strong and durable enough to hold its shape when wet, be chlorine resistant, and elastic. 

For this reason, sustainable swimwear brands commonly use recycled fibers and other alternatives from disposable plastic water bottles, natural rubber, and abandoned fishing nets to make the yarn that goes into these swimwear pieces. These materials are not a perfect solution: they’re not biodegradable and they also release microfibers when washed. However, because many of the ideal sustainable fabrics are not usable in this case, these recycled synthetic fibers are the next best thing.

Sustainable swimwear features many trade-offs as brands balance swimsuit durability, which ultimately increases a piece’s longevity and sustainability, with ethical production and eco-friendly materials. You can do your part by choosing your suit wisely and aiming to wear it for a long time.

Hackwith Design House Swim: This swim line creates long-lasting pieces by using quality fabrics that are locally sourced and recycled as much as possible. They also focus on reducing material waste by making items on a largely made to order basis and donating all excess material to a local fabric recycling center. Entirely made in their Minnesota headquarters, the focus is on sustainability and inclusivity. 

JADE Swim: This LA-based swimwear brand is focused on creating swimwear with a minimalist aesthetic. The material has UV protection and is resistant to chlorine, sunscreens, and oils to increase wearability and durability. These pieces are also created with versatility in mind and can double as everyday clothes. 

Unika Swim: This Canada-based brand caters to customers of all shapes and sizes. They offer pre-made designs in a wide size range and sell a custom swimsuit option to create swimwear that perfectly fits your body. All of their pieces are made-to-order to reduce waste. In addition to using a 100% regenerated nylon yarn from ocean and landfill waste to create their durable fabric, ŪNIKA also creates hair scrunchies and accessories from any leftover scraps and uses recycled materials in their packaging to practice sustainability.

BOLD Swim: This brand is known for its minimal designs, saturated colors, and luxury fabrics. Each piece is designed with versatility in mind to increase wearability. Bold Swim minimizes its packaging and uses recycled materials to increase its sustainability.

Wolven: This brand features colorful and versatile swimwear with fabric patterns inspired by geometry and Indian art. Ethically made in China, Wolven uses an innovative fabric to make swimsuits that are still suitable for athletic performance. Wolven also displays a commitment to sustainability by choosing a fabric whose production creates 79% less carbon emissions compared to the production of swimwear from virgin synthetic fibers. They also use eco-friendly and minimal packaging to further minimize their impact.

Arrow and Phoenix: This brand produces inclusive and comfortable swimwear in Nevada, using eco-friendly fabrics from 100% recycled material, 100% recycled yarn, and a process that uses 75% less energy. Additionally, A+P runs a recycling program, giving customers a discount towards a future purchase when they send in an old bathing suit! This brand further helps to protect our planet by donating $5 from each swimsuit sale to a beach cleanup organization. 

Summersalt: Known for their bestselling one pieces, Summersalt has focused on using data from real women to create a size inclusive range that caters to everyone. Their high-quality swimsuits contain more compression than other bathing suits, allowing them to retain their shape over time. Summersalt also uses luxurious fabrics, made from 78% recycled polyamide (created with recycled plastic and other materials). This fabric is strong and highly durable, allowing their swimwear to withstand chlorinated water for repeated use over a long period of time.

SELFISH Swimwear: This Canada-based brand advocates body positivity and focuses on creating comfortable and timeless swimwear that flatter women’s curves. SELFISH displays a concern for sustainability by ensuring that its swimwear lasts a minimum of five years and by offering a repair service after the first year warranty. Additionally, SELFISH Swimwear pieces are handmade and use fabric made from recycled fibers to lessen the environmental impact.

Baiia: An Australian swimwear brand known for its reversible and multi-functional pieces that maximize wearability. In particular, they have created the unique and figure flattering Wrapsuit, a three-piece bathing suit that can be worn in four ways and mixed & matched with a second wrapsuit to create 15+ different looks from 2 products. Baiia uses soft and durable fabric made from recycled nylon fibers that utilize ocean and landfill waste. Pieces are ethically made in China, in a factory that prioritizes ethics and sustainability and worker welfare. Although they are based in Australia, they offer free express worldwide delivery. 

Netta: Inspired by the limitations of natural resources, Netta produces swimwear in limited quantities. With only twenty-five editions of each piece, Netta avoids mass production to limit their carbon footprint. If you want a suit that feels like a work of art, this is your brand.

Galamaar: A Los Angeles based swimwear company that is continuously improving on its commitment to sustainability one detail at a time. Galamaar uses fabric made of nylon from discarded fishing nets in addition to using recycled hang tags, regenerated mixed metal hardware, and eco-packaging materials. The brand states that their swimsuits are made to last “up to 50% longer.”

LemLem: An artisan-driven collection made entirely in Africa. The brand is committed to elevating artisanship and expanding production and jobs across Africa. In particular, lemlem focuses on helping women thrive within its workshops and beyond. Their colorful swimwear collection is becoming more sustainable with their new collection, called Lena Swim, that uses fabric made of recycled fibers (from recycled plastic bottles).