
The Best Looking Sustainable Swimwear and Organic Bathing Suits (100% Ethical): Summersalt
Gorgeous styles and affordable prices.
Written by Georgette Kilgore
Eco-Friendly Natural Products | April 14, 2022
Looking for sustainable swimwear brands that are actually fashionable and ethical? Look no farther. We’ve compiled the top bands for you.
And, in case you’re wondering how these eco-friendly bathing suits can help the environment… we’ve classified all the ethical benefits in one simple guide.
First up, what is sustainable swimwear anyway? Why are they considered ‘better’ than regular swimwear attire? Mainly, most regular swimsuits are made from plastic (non-biodegradable). So they stretch out and pill fast. Pill? That’s the lint or fuzz balls you see on top of garments. Now, when these ‘pills’ get washed off, they make their way into our oceans. Not planet-friendly at all, no?
Luckily, we’ve made a quick list of planet-conscious swimwear brands below and we’ve highlighted just what makes them fashionable too. So read on and dive in!
Gorgeous styles and affordable prices.
Total minimalism made from recycled plastic bottles.
Understated beauty that lasts.
Fun and flirty prints from a trusted eco-friendly swimwear brand.
With high priority on minority management staffing, this look is beautiful and making a difference.
Using deadstock fabric to reduce waste and combining it with double-take looks.
Classic beauty in sustainable swimwear.
Reducing plastic waste with figure-friendly style.
Timeless looks without the eco-cost of new materials.
Sexy styles and form fitting beauty.
Sustainable hemp and organic cotton create a fashion masterpiece.
All vegan materials and clean, beautiful lines.
Looking for one-piece sustainable bathing suits? We don’t blame you. It’s still one of the most purchased types of swimwear apparel out there thanks to the comfort and ‘ultimate coverage’ it offers. But don’t get stuck on just one look or style. There’s A LOT of variety on offer today such as one-of-a-kind cutouts, plunging necklines, asymmetric designs, bold prints, and more.
Summersalt is well-known for its use of bold colors, solid lines, and body-flattering designs. And it’s not by chance that they’re known for comfortable swimwear. The company analyzed more than 1.5 million(!) body measurements from 10,000 women to come up with the perfect fit that makes you look “stunning from every angle.”
Summersalt is also known for its stylish cover-up designs that are never out of season. It’s really like donning a runway outfit on the beach!
Londre is another vegan swimwear brand known for their one-piece designs. Founded by Ainsley Rose and Hannah Todd, their goal is to create stunningly sexy swimwear with the lowest negative impact on the planet.
OOKIOH is another ethical swimwear brand known for their one-piece swimwear collection. What’s different about OOKIOH too is that they swear some of their one-piece items can double as bodysuits every day of the week too.
The fabric they use for their swimwear is obtained from an Italian mill, which takes ocean waste (i.e., marine trash such as cast-off fishing nets) and deadstock (e.g., cut-off trimmings, textile leftovers, etc.) and transform these into swimwear fabric ready for production.
Ah yes, what says summer more than hot prints? And Patagonia, undoubtedly one of the leading eco-friendly brands out there today, caters to this in their swimwear line too.
Another eco-friendly bikini brand is Reformation. In addition to making a planet-friendly stand by using only sustainable materials in their production, they’re also making an equality stand. More than 75% of their management team is comprised of women or individuals from minority groups.
What are ‘sustainable materials’? Simply put, these are resources that don’t strain or tax the environment during their manufacture or disposal. And one such brand is DOS Swim.
Founded just in 2019, the pair behind DOS Swim – Shay Johnson and Paula Hess – started their company because they wanted swimwear that “actually fit right, celebrated their bodies, made them feel confident and expressed their love for color”.
Is there anything else that shouts ‘child of nature’ more than crochet swimwear garments? If you want to evoke the natural, ethereal look as you sashay down the beach, then consider the vegan swimwear brand Seeker of Sunshine.
As they say, Seeker of Sunshine designs are made ‘with the gypsy in mind who loves to stay clad in her bikini from sun up to sun down’. All items are handcrafted from Brazil and as you can see in the pics below, ‘hot’ is the word that comes to mind when you wear any of their designs.
One of the intentions of sustainable swimwear brands is to recycle non-biodegradable materials such as nylon and plastics. To date, Econyl® and Repreve® are the leading eco fabric types.
Econyl® is made from recycled nylon from such items as thrown-out fishing nets, cast-off carpet flooring, industrial plastic, and fabric leftovers. Repreve®, on the other hand, is polyester produced from recycled PET plastic bottles.
The above definitions may not sound ‘sexy’ but I’m sure you’ll change your mind once you see the following ethical swimwear by Mara Hoffman.
Mara Hoffman swimwear is known for its fun, and bright-colored printed swimsuits and high-waisted cuts. This ethical swimwear brand is also known for its Extended Sizes.
Deadstock quite literally means that – fabric stock that’s considered ‘dead’ because they will no longer be used. They can be composed of fabric that’s out of season so the manufacturer doesn’t want to use them anymore, fabric scraps from cuttings, or simply forgotten bolts of fabric.
If that doesn’t sound thrilling, the following sustainable swimwear brand – SNRKLBR Swimwear – will show you that breathing life into deadstock and biodegradable fabric can produce the most eye-catching organic bathing suits for you this summer.
Anekdot is another eco-friendly swimwear worth mentioning for its use of deadstock fabric. They are known for their ultra-comfortable wrap-style swimwear apparel. They also want to state that their brand is not about ‘recycling’, but ‘upcycling’. Planet-conscious and savvy; what more do you want?
Hemp is one of the most organic natural fabrics.1 Apart from growing naturally without pesticides, hemp is anti-microbial, UV resistant, and extremely long-lasting. So basically, while ‘regular’ bathing suit manufacturers douse their swimwear with harsh chemicals to achieve the same qualities – hemp already has all of these naturally!
Natasha Tonic is one organic swimwear brand that focuses on hemp as a swimsuit material, not just for the above eco qualities but because hemp is light-weight, and thus perfect for traveling.
Since being ‘vegan’ means the practice of refraining from the use of animal products, you’ll likely gravitate to the many brands under Immaculate Vegan. This site showcases just about any item that does not use animal resources in the manufacturer of their products – including swimwear!
So, great! You’ve taken a look at the most gorgeous ethical swimwear in the market today but HOW do you choose which one is the best when it comes to sustainability? First, check out your personal emissions with an ecological footprint calculator... and then look over a few things you may want to consider.
However, do note that there are vast differences in the percentages of ethical materials used. For example, one may use 100% recycled cotton fabric, while another may use a combination of 70% recycled polyester and spandex.
Of course, every step of purchasing anything environmental-friendly is a BIG help. We’re just mentioning this so that you’re aware as it may impact the price and features you see.
If you’re passionate about something specific, you may want to dive into the behind-the-scenes processes of each organic swimwear brand deeper.
Think color variety, cut style diversity, fabric range, era styles, size availability, and so on.
We get it. Finding the perfect sustainable swimwear can be complicated and overwhelming. So here’s our first important tip – shift your mindset. Instead of focusing on how you’d look in eco-friendly bikinis, focus on this instead – which swimwear represents ME and my body the best? And with that in mind, here are more tips for you as you go down the aisle of sustainable bathing suits this year.
There’s an ethical swimwear brand for EVERY SINGLE BODY, literally. So for starters, know your body type. Here’s a quick rundown.
Let’s be completely honest. Even the most ‘I’m very comfortable in my body’ gal wants to tone down their less flattering areas. After all, no one’s perfect. So here’s a quick rundown of tips for you.
Nothing makes a woman look sexier than this – confidence. Comfort plays a BIG role in being confident. So when shopping for sustainable bathing suits, yes, try it on! If it looks good on you and you feel good in it – you’ve found a winner.
Don’t go with what’s this season’s color – or any season for that matter – when it’s a shade that does not suit you. Some people like big, bold, ‘I’m making a statement here’ colors. Others prefer subdued, quietly confident shades. Whatever it is – use it as s guide when shopping for your next sustainable swimwear.
This is not to say that you shouldn’t be adventurous and go out of your comfort zone with other types of colors. You can do that too!
Are you the active type or are you the ‘I want to read a book and sip a margarita’ type when on the beach? Consider your activity level when on the hunt for your next organic bathing suit.
With all these tips, you’re bound to find the eco-friendly swimwear of your dreams soon. But how do you take care of them to ensure that they last for a good length of time?
As with any garment, how you care for your ethical swimwear apparel depends on the fabric used. In general though, follow these tips below.
So, are you ready to give sustainable bathing suits a try? You can boost your help to the planet by also purchasing tree planting offsets from one of the best carbon offset providers that reduce your overall footprint.
Organic swimwear used to be viewed as less aesthetically pleasing, and lacking in variety, and the motivation to buy was purely from an environmentally-conscious standpoint. As you can see from the above samples – this is no longer the case!
Sustainable swimwear is good for the planet, and with the right look, you’ll be sure to show off your perfect, beautiful style.
1Why hemp is the most SUSTAINABLE Fabric available today. Citizen Wolf. (n.d.). Retrieved September 10, 2021, from https://www.citizenwolf.com/blogs/news/why-hemp-is-the-most-sustainable-fabric.
2Carruthers, D. (2021, February 3). Material guide: How sustainable is Econyl? Good On You. Retrieved September 10, 2021, from https://goodonyou.eco/material-guide-econyl/.
3Repreve® – made for the good of tomorrow. Unifi. (n.d.). Retrieved September 10, 2021, from https://unifi.com/repreve.
4Avram, M. M. (2004). Cellulite: A review of its physiology and treatment. Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy, 6(4), 181–185. https://doi.org/10.1080/14764170410003057f
5Image Source: Summersalt, https://www.summersalt.com/products/sidestroke-seaweed-seaglass-white-sand
6Image Source: Summersalt, https://www.summersalt.com/products/the-ruffle-backflip-sea-urchin-white-sand
7Image Source: Summersalt, https://www.summersalt.com/products/the-ruched-sidestroke-bikini-top-sea-urchin
8Image Source: Summersalt, https://www.summersalt.com/products/the-ruched-high-leg-high-rise-bottom-hydrangea
9Image Source: Summersalt, https://www.summersalt.com/collections/cover-ups/products/the-fishnet-sarong-white-sand
10Image Source: Summersalt, https://www.summersalt.com/products/the-wrap-cover-up-skirt-modern-plaid-in-hydrangeaImage source:
11Image Source: Londre, https://londrebodywear.com/collections/shop-all-1/products/the-minimalist-long
12Image Source: Londre, https://londrebodywear.com/products/the-cinch-belted-one-piece
13Image Source: Londre, https://londrebodywear.com/products/copy-of-the-highline-one-piece-matte-black
14Image Source: OOKIOH, https://ookioh.com/collections/one-piece/products/palisades-one-piece-palisadescherry
15Image Source: OOKIOH, https://ookioh.com/collections/one-piece/products/tokyo-one-piece-tokyococo
16Image Source: Patagonia, https://www.patagonia.com/product/womens-glassy-dawn-tankini/77330.html?dwvar_77330_color=BAIK&cgid=womens-swimwear
17Image Source: Patagonia, https://www.patagonia.com/product/womens-nanogrip-nireta-bikini-top/77286.html?dwvar_77286_color=EFLB&cgid=root
18Image Source: Reformation, https://www.thereformation.com/products/harbor-bikini-top
19Image Source: Reformation, https://www.thereformation.com/products/tide-bikini-top?color=Teacup
20Image Source: DOS Swim, https://www.dosswim.com/tops/paloma-top-jive
21Image Source: Seeker of Sunshine, https://www.seekerofsunshine.com/products/delilah-top-cream?_pos=4&_sid=ec393f664&_ss=r
22Image Source: Seeker of Sunshine, https://www.seekerofsunshine.com/products/delilah-bottoms?_pos=3&_sid=23710f4c7&_ss=r
23Image Source: Seeker of Sunshine, https://www.seekerofsunshine.com/products/wild-orchid-reversible-tie-one-piece?_pos=1&_sid=8b0b97d32&_ss=r
24Image Source: Seeker of Sunshine, https://www.seekerofsunshine.com/products/gone-bananas-black-shorts
25Image Source: Seeker of Sunshine, https://www.seekerofsunshine.com/products/gone-bananas-black-shorts
26Image Source: Seeker of Sunshine, https://www.seekerofsunshine.com/products/lily-of-the-valley-top?_pos=2&_sid=fac089b28&_ss=r&variant=35951708962966
27Image Source: Seeker of Sunshine, https://www.seekerofsunshine.com/products/lily-of-the-valley-top?_pos=2&_sid=fac089b28&_ss=r&variant=35951708962966
28Image Source: Mara Hoffman, https://marahoffman.com/products/emma-one-piece-10
29Image Source: Mara Hoffman, https://marahoffman.com/products/isolde-one-piece-2
30Image Source: Mara Hoffman, https://marahoffman.com/products/extended-raina-bikini-top-1?_pos=4&_sid=f493da41c&_ss=r
31Image Source: SNRKLBR, https://snrklbr.com/collections/australian-made/products/sweetheart-one-piece-deadstock-orange-burgundy-gingham-rts?variant=39285863219260
32Image Source: SNRKLBR, https://snrklbr.com/products/babysitter-bikini-top-deadstock-red-gingham?_pos=1&_sid=0d3996e2d&_ss=r&variant=32673320992828
33Image Source: Anekdot, https://anekdotboutique.com/product/black-lin-bow-back/
34Image Source: Anekdot, https://anekdotboutique.com/product/black-sheer-lunaronepiece/
35Image Source: Natasha Tonic, https://www.natashatonic.com/products/prince-bikini-bottoms-purple-rain-color?variant=40434375000255
36Image Source: Natasha Tonic, https://www.natashatonic.com/collections/yin-yang/products/side-cut-yin-yang?variant=31999343067216
37Image Source: Immaculate Vegan, https://immaculatevegan.com/collections/sustainable-swimwear/products/eden-bikini-top-army-green
38Image Source: Immaculate Vegan, https://immaculatevegan.com/products/geneva-one-piece-in-forest-green-and-beige?_pos=10&_sid=cdde87de7&_ss=r
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