Sustainable Swimsuits You Can Feel Good About (and the Brands That Make Them)
Lately, I've been thinking hard about the impact of my clothing choices. Sure, I still love anything with great design and an affordable price point, but if the designs on the market today taught me anything, it's that I don't have to compromise on style to buy items that are also a little bit gentler on the environment. More and more it feels like other consumers are thinking the same, and every day it seems like a new crop of sustainably focused brands pops up with a number of them focused on eco-friendly swimwear.
Since we can practically taste summer at this point (trust us, it's close!), I've been searching for the perfect classic one-piece along with more trend-forward bikinis that I can wear all season long—and you can believe that sustainability ranks as a top priority. In my search for the best swimwear, I've also come across seven wonderful brands that emphasize the importance of green practices that lessen their impact on the earth. If you're also committed to making more conscious clothing choices, keep reading ahead to discover the names to know making swimwear more sustainable.
Mara Hoffman
Artsy prints mixed with elevated minimalism, Mara Hoffman has perfected pieces that you'll want to wear every day. The designer's easy dresses are a big staple for fashion editors, so expect Hoffman's swimwear line to be the same.
Shop the matching Lei bikini bottoms ($145).
Peony
Created in Australia, Peony makes prints that feel like summer in clothing form. Every piece from the brand–from linings to patterns–is made out of recycled, sustainable materials.
Shop the matching bikini briefs ($75).
Araks
I want to own every piece of lingerie and swimwear Araks makes, that's how amazing this brand is. Based in New York and founded by Araks Yeramyan, its approach is pretty simple: functional, high-quality undergarments and swimsuits that are less concerned about being sexy, and more concerned about making the wearer feel good. Araks sustainable swimwear collection uses recycled Nylon.
Shop the matching Veronica bikini bottom ($100).
Londre
Sometimes you want a bikini or one-piece that's classic and unfussy, and that's where Londre comes in. The brand sticks to the basics, like a versatile multi-way one-piece that can be adjusted and styled 6 different ways, and a deep v-neck bikini that's low-key elegant. The fabric for the suits is created from recycled plastic bottles, with a minimum of 6 bottles going into every suit.
Shop the matching high waisted bottoms ($52).
Swiminista
Swiminista specializes in luxury, eco-minded swimwear with dimensional, fun prints and colors. Post-consumer recycled nylon makes up the bulk of its designs, and the brand furthers its mission by hosting regular ocean cleanups.
Shop the matching high waisted bottoms ($52).
Shop the matching high waisted bottoms ($52).
Jade Swim
On the opposite end of the spectrum, you won't find any loud or bold prints here: Jade Swim is all about quiet elegance that still stands out in a big way. From eco-friendly shipping materials to upcycling fabrics, to paying its workers fair living wages, the brand is focused on practicing sustainability in all areas of its business.
Matteau
Simplicity is at the core of Matteau. Also based in Australia, its styles are timeless and flattering, coming in a few neutral colorways and prints made out of regenerated nylon.
Shop the matching briefs ($135).
Shop the matching bikini bottoms ($135).
Coming up: The Sandal Trend I'm Shopping to Ease Me Back Into Wearing Real Shoes
Indya Brown is a fashion editor, stylist, and writer living in Los Angeles. After graduating in 2016, she joined The Cut as a fashion assistant, eventually working her way up to fashion editor. While New York has been her home for over 10 years, she moved to Los Angeles in the midst of the pandemic in 2020 for a new chapter where she started working at Who What Wear, focusing on emerging designers, rising trends on and off the internet, interior design, and BIPOC creatives and brands. Aside from her work at Who What Wear, Brown is also a freelance stylist and writer, working on national print and video commercial campaigns for Sephora, The Independent, and Cadillac. Her bylines also include Harper's Bazaar, Vox, and The New York Times.
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