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As the swimwear season approaches and we gear up for beach or pool outings, it’s essential to recognize the impact our fashion choices have on the environment and the people involved in manufacturing. Ethical fashion is more than just a trend—it represents a movement that promotes responsible consumption and supports brands that emphasize sustainability, fair labor practices, and inclusivity.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll dive into the world of ethical swimwear, explain the criteria for selecting eco-friendly options, and introduce you to some leading ethical swimwear brands that you can feel good about wearing.

The Best Sustainable Brands

Galamaar

Made locally in Los Angeles, Galamaar’s clean and timeless designs are built to embrace each woman’s beauty and accentuate the female form. Using recycled OEKO-TEX-certified Econyl material, these swimsuits are made of nylon from discarded fishing nets to create long-lasting and environmentally conscious designs.

They also incorporate regenerated mixed metal hardware into their pieces, mindfully including sustainability throughout the design process. Recently partnering with Greenspark, Galamaar is working to reclaim ocean-bound plastic and support a variety of environmental and social impact projects with every order placed.

OOKIOH

Bright and colorful, OOKOH’s cheeky swimsuits are self-described as ‘modern swimwear with a splash of nostalgia’. With an array of retro styles, OOKOH’s sustainable swimwear is made of 100% regenerated materials including recycled nylon from ocean waste and pre-consumer waste products.

They’ve also released two collaborations with quirky retailer Lisa Says Gah and fashion stylist Rachael Wang that include limited-release fabrics and designs. 

prAna

Made of recycled nylon Econyl and recycled polyester, prAna’s men and women’s collection features staple swimwear styles built for an active lifestyle. Including reversible pieces for women, these adaptable pieces are perfect for a range of activities and are UPF 50+ to ensure safety in the sun. Their 4-way stretch and quick dry material allows for endless hours of fun both in and out of the surf.

Vissla

Men’s lifestyle brand Vissla’s Ecolastics collection includes a range of boardshorts sustainably made from a blend of coconut fibers, REPREVE polyester (made from recycled plastic bottles) and cotton.

These shorts come in a range of prints and solid colors to suit every style and are coated with 100% PFC and Fluorocarbon-free DWR water repellant to ensure safety for both the wearer and the living organisms they come into contact with.

They also have wetsuits available on their site for those looking for more performance wear that are sustainably made of limestone-based neoprene and Carbon Black that is pyrolyzed from scrap rubber tires. 

BOLD Swim

BOLD Swim is a WOC-founded brand that focuses on inclusivity in size and diversity with swimwear designs that can be worn by all women. For their swimwear pieces, they use revolutionary Amni Soul Eco fabric, the world’s first biodegradable polyamide yarn.

Certified by Oeko-Tex, this pioneering fabric takes between 3-5 years to compose as opposed to conventional polyamides that take more than 50 years to decompose. Their designs include fun monokinis, one-shoulder tops and reversible pieces built for summer adventures.

TomboyX

Gender-neutral TomboyX fills a need for swimwear that anybody can feel comfortable in no matter their size or where they fall on the gender spectrum.

Their recycled polyester collection features inclusive designs such as the swim tank, unisuit, and a variety of shorts and come in sizes ranging from XS – 6X. They are B Corp certified and are manufactured in facilities that are certified by WRAP and the Fair Labor Association. 

Sunspel

Inspired by the iconic shorts worn by Sean Connery in ‘Thunderball’, Sunspel’s tailored swim shorts are an elegant statement at the beach.

Made of upcycled marine plastic and plastic bottles from Seaqual, these shorts are perfect for men who want a more elevated take on the classic swim short. For those wanting a more traditional style, Sunspel also offers drawstring swim shorts in a variety of color and prints. 

Faithfull the Brand

Founded in Indonesia, Faithfull the Brand works with local artisans in Bali to create their hand-made pieces that evoke a love of adventure with a high fashion lens.

Their colorful suits are available in a range of bright tones and vintage-inspired patterns and are sustainably made using Econyl. Their pieces are also hand-dyed and hand-printed in Bali making each piece unique.

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