18 Sustainable Swimwear Brands (Affordable, Size-Inclusive)
These sustainable swimwear brands cover a wide range of styles, from classic to bold and colorful. You can head out to the beach with confidence in what you’re wearing and the way it was produced.
I’m a sustainable fashion blogger, and I’ve rounded up some of the top ethical swimsuit brands in this post, including more affordable and size-inclusive options.
This post contains affiliate links, meaning that I may earn a small commission on any purchases, at no extra cost to you. This income helps keep this blog running, and your support is much appreciated!
What Makes Swimwear Ethical or Sustainable?
There are several different pillars of sustainability, but when it comes to swimsuits, here are a few things you should prioritize.
Materials
Unfortunately, there aren’t many natural fiber swimwear brands yet. Natural fibers simply don’t perform the same way as synthetics, as they aren’t as stretchy or compressive.
Luckily, recycled synthetics are a good, albeit imperfect alternative. Some popular recycled swimwear materials include:
- rPET (recycled plastic bottles
- ECONYL (recycled nylon)
- REPREVE (recycled bottles and industrial waste)
You get the same performance of synthetics without creating more plastics, though any synthetic material does shed microplastics, so you may want to use Guppyfriend washing bag.
Since recycled synthetics can include harsh chemicals, you may also want keep an eye out for OEKO-TEX certification, meaning that the materials are free from harmful substances.
Labor ethics
Clothing can’t be sustainable if the workers making it aren’t treated fairly. It’s important to consider whether brands have a code of conduct, their factories are audited, and if workers are paid a living wage.
Other aspects of sustainability
Some other characteristics to look out for include:
- Circularity: Does the brand take back swimsuits to be recycled at the end of their life, or do they help with repairs?
- Small batch production/pre-order: Do they make their pieces in small quantities to reduce chances of overproduction?
- Inclusivity: Are models of different ethnicities and sizes represented?
Now, let’s get into the ethical swimwear brands that meet these standards!
Ethical and Sustainable Swimwear Brands
For each brand, I list out an approximate pricing scale, with one dollar sign meaning an average price of $50 or less for a full swimsuit, two dollar signs meaning $50-150, and three dollar signs meaning $150+. I also include the size range, but keep in mind that sizing can vary by the garment.
1. Secondhand swimwear
The idea of used swimwear might give you the heebie jeebies, but hear me out—you can find brand new swimwear on secondhand platforms. And it usually comes at a steep discount! That’s how I got a new-with-tags Athleta one piece for $39.
I recommend searching on apps like Poshmark and Mercari (get $10 off your first purchase with my referral links). I got my Athleta suit on Poshmark.
Since the items are secondhand, they’re automatically more sustainable. I would just make sure to buy from an individual seller vs. a company on the app. Some profiles are essentially discount outlets, so it’s not really secondhand in that case.
Beyond new-with-tags items, you can also find beautiful vintage swimwear and used, modern pieces. If you’re not comfortable buying a used bottom, consider getting a used top.
Some brands to look out for secondhand include the brands on this list, as well as any mainstream brand that you’ve used before and love (I got Athleta because I knew it was a more durable, athletic brand and I wanted a one piece to swim laps in).
2. Organic Basics
Pricing: $
Size range: XXS-XXL
Organic Basics is a Danish brand with a handful of classic swimwear styles, including bikinis, one pieces, and trunks. They’re deeply discounted since they’re from a previous season, and you can get a suit for under $50. Their suits are mainly made from recycled nylon and polyester.
Organic Basics traces most of their supply chain and works with factories that have environmental and ethical certifications. Their swimwear is made in Portugal. You can learn about each factory, its certifications, and worker benefits on their website. They ensure a living wage in some of their supply chain.
3. Londre
Pricing: $$
Size range: XS-4XL (5XL in a few styles and long torso option)
Londre is a Canadian sustainable brand making flattering swimwear from recycled plastic bottles. Their pieces have bold, sexy details such as a low coverage back, cheeky bottom, or even a sweetheart neckline and puff sleeves.
Their styles are not only impeccable; they’re also on top of their sustainability measures. The water used in production is reused and free of harmful chemicals. Londre’s factories are all based in Vancouver, and their sewists are paid above a living wage. If your suit wears out in the first year, the company pays for your repairs. At the end of your suit’s life, Londre will also take your suit back and turn it into a new piece.
I was gifted their 1813 Puff Shoulder Top, which looks like it’s straight out of a fairytale. I love how it’s reversible and how unique of a style it is for a bathing suit. I also got a pair of tie bottoms to go with the top (the Nicole Bottom).
Both pieces are thick and durable, and I’m sure I’ll get years of wear out of them. I was between sizes on the bottoms and sized up, and am glad I did since they’re on the more compressive side (and are cheeky).
4. Carve Designs
Pricing: $$
Size range: XS-XL
Carve Designs has colorful and sporty pieces made from recycled plastic bottles. Their swimwear is perfect for those who do water sports but also want to look stylish while doing them.
In particular, their compressive line is made to be supportive during activity. Some pieces also have UPF50 protection.
Carve Designs swimwear is made in Hefei, China, and factories are audited to ensure social compliance. When possible, they visit their factories themselves as well.
I was gifted their Skye One Piece in Eden, which has a cool square neckline and open back. It’s not a compressive piece, but I still felt that it provided good support. The fabric is lightweight, which makes it easy to pack. I would just recommend getting a darker color or patterned piece since the cups can show through the fabric slightly.
5. Vitamin A Swim
Pricing: $$$
Size range: XS-XL
If you’re looking for unique and glamorous styles made in the USA, Vitamin A Swim is your brand. Their suits come with sexy details like open backs, halter tops, ring cutouts, and more.
Their swimwear is mostly made with recycled nylon, though they also have a small collection made out of a plant-based polyamide (which is still mixed with Lycra unfortunately, but it is a cool innovation overall). They even have a metallic swim material for some extra oomph. All materials are OEKO-TEX certified.
All their swimwear is made in the US, with the majority crafted locally in California. Vitamin A Swim visits their factories to ensure safe conditions and fair wages.
I was gifted their Sienna Tank and Sienna High Waist Full Cut Bottom, which makes for a sporty bikini. I haven’t had a chance to wear them in the water yet, but I like that the material is lighter weight while still feeling supportive. I did size up since reviews said Vitamin A runs small, and I’m glad I did.
6. Patagonia
Pricing: $$
Size range: XXS-XXL Women’s, 28-40 Men’s
Patagonia made waves when the founder Yvon Chouinard and his family gave away the company to fight climate change, dedicating all profits to environmental organizations.
True to the ethos of the company, all their swimwear is made in Fair Trade certified factories with materials that are majority recycled nylon and polyester. Each product description shows you the factory it was made in and a breakdown of the materials (plus the pros and cons of the material and Patagonia’s plans for improvement).
Even better, many of the pieces are reversible, adding to their versatility. If your suit breaks, Patagonia also offers repairs. In fact, Patagonia has an Ironclad Guarantee, which is essentially lifetime warranty. It’s rare to find a company that stands by the durability of its products to this extent!
7. Baiia
Pricing: $$$
Size range: US 0-22
This Australian brand is best-known for its wrapsuits, which come in 3-4 reversible pieces. You can create several different looks with one suit! The suits come in retro, stylish cuts and have fuller coverage.
Their swim fabric is make from OEKO-TEX certified recycled nylon, and the suits are sewn in China, where workers are paid 34% above the minimum wage. Workers are given the option of free housing and transportation, and they sew in safe conditions.
To get your suit to you, Baiia uses home-compostable packaging and carbon neutral shipping.
8. Hackwith Design House
Pricing: $$$
Size range: XS-4.5X
Look no further than Hackwith Design House for romantic, versatile swim styles in jewel tones. HDH offers higher-coverage, retro pieces that are unique and flattering.
In particular, I love their two-tone pieces and their wrap top that can be worn several ways. You’ll also find high-waisted bottoms, boyshort cut bottoms, tie tops, and other timeless styles.
The swimwear is made from recycled polyester and sewn in Hackwith Design House’s own studio in Minnesota.
Shop Hackwith Design House here.
9. Nettle’s Tale
Pricing: $$
Size range: XS-4X
Nettle’s Tale is a Canadian brand that has more modest and size-inclusive swimwear. Many pieces come in sweet, colorful patterns, and their fabric content is mainly recycled polyester.
90% of their pieces are made in Canada, only a 10-minute drive from their headquarters. They also have a factory in Taiwan, where workers are paid 15% above the industry average, and 80% of leadership positions are held by women. Their second non-Canadian factory is based in Los Angeles, and it’s been family-owned and operated for over 25 years.
10. Seea
Pricing: $$-$$$
Size range: XS-XL
Seea was founded by women surfers to create stylish, comfortable, and functional swimsuits for women surfers. The suits are made from recycled materials and come in unique colors and prints. Their Outerknown collab is especially eye-catching with its retro cuts.
The suits are made in California, and all sewing factories within 100 miles of Seea’s office. As a result, they visit the factories regularly to ensure safe and fair conditions.
11. MIGA Swimwear
Pricing: $$
Size range: XS-XL
MIGA Swimwear is a small, woman-owned business making adaptive swimsuits. The owner’s love for swimwear was born out of her embarrassment over her foot disfigurement; to draw attention away from her feet at the beach, she chose vibrant swimsuits.
She founded MIGA Swimwear to help women celebrate their body as-is. Each style was inspired by a real woman, and you can read her story in the product details.
The pieces are made from OEKO-TEX certified recycled nylon, and they’re sewn in the US. The founder visits their manufacturers in Los Angeles to ensure safe and fair conditions.
12. TomboyX
Pricing: $$
Size range: XS-6X
For more gender-neutral options, TomboyX is the place to go. You’ll find sports bra and bike short style swimwear made from OEKO-TEX certified recycled polyester. In addition to having more coverage, the suits offer UPF 50 sun protection.
The majority of TomboyX factories are WRAP certified, and they visit their factories as well to ensure social compliance.
13. Con Cariño Design
Pricing: $$
Size range: XS-XL
This small, woman-owned business offers floral-patterned swimwear made from OEKO-TEX certified recycled polyester. There are pieces for both women and children.
The company is based in Kauai and the swimwear is sewn by a small team of five Venezuelan women who are paid a living wage.
14. Lilja the Label
Pricing: $$
Size range: XS-2XL
Lilja the Label is a Finnish ethical swimwear company with romantic styles. You’ll love the sweet details like square necklines, wrap tops, and ruching.
The swimwear is made from ECONYL® regenerated nylon and REPREVE® recycled plastic bottles. The suits are sewn in a small, family-run factory in Portugal that pays living wages.
15. Peachy Keen Swim
Pricing: $$
Size range: XS-5X
Peachy Keen Swim is a women-owned company advocating for self-love and body positivity. Each size in their inclusive range corresponds to an affirming word; for example, a size M is “empowered” and a size 5X is “divine.”
Their sustainable swimwear is made from recycled polyester in a small factory in Bali. The pieces are made in small batches to reduce the risk of overproduction, and orders ship out in compostable mailers.
16. Wolven
Pricing: $$
Size range: XS-XL
Wolven is known for its colorful and geometric prints inspired by South Asian patterns (the business is South Asian and woman-owned). Even better, a lot of Wolven’s swimwear is reversible, and some styles can even be worn four ways!
The suits range from bikinis to one-pieces in unique cuts, and they’re made from rPET. Wolven pieces are sewn primarily in China and import shipments are carbon offset. Their Chinese manufacturer is audited by Intertek’s Workplace Conditions Assessment, and it scored 87% overall across the categories of labor, wages & hours, health & safety, management systems, and environment.
17. Kitty and Vibe
Pricing: $-$$
Size range: S1-5XL2
Kitty and Vibe has fun, colorful suits in modern cuts. The brand is best-known for its unique sizing system that has two butt sizes for each hip measurement—no more saggy or tight bottoms!
Their swimwear is made from recycled polyester and is sewn in a women-run factory in Colombia. The fabric offers SPF 50+ protection.
18. Summersalt
Pricing: $$
Size range: US 2-22 (long torso options)
Summersalt offers elegant swimwear with feminine details like ruffles and wrap ties. The suits are made from post-consumer recycled materials and nylon waste.
Summersalt manufactures in China and other Asian countries, and most of their factories are WRAP certified (Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production) or have an equivalent certification.
How to Care for Your Sustainable Swimwear
Well-made swimwear should last years if taken care of properly. Here are some tips to help your swimsuits last longer.
1. Hand wash your suit or use the delicates cycle.
Since hand washing is less harsh, your suit should last longer, and it will reduce the amount of microplastics released. If you swim in a pool though, it may be better to use a washing machine to ensure you get all the chlorine out.
If you use a washing machine, use a shorter, more delicate cycle. You may also want to consider getting a Guppyfriend bag to reduce microplastic shedding. (You could also handwash your suit in the bag).
2. Use cold or room temperature water.
Cold water also helps the fibers of your suit stay strong, and reduces the amount of energy needed to wash your clothes.
3. Air dry your suit.
Synthetic fibers dry quickly, so lay your suit out on a rack or chair, and it should be dry in just a few hours.
Try to avoid laying it out in the hot sun for too long, and definitely avoid the swimsuit dryers at the pool, since those can be hard on your suit.
Let me know if you have any more swimsuit brands or tips you’d add to this post!
You may also like these posts:
My ethical + sustainable brand directory
Sustainable underwear brand guide
Sustainable bralette brand guide
