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May 17 2021

The biggest list of sustainable swimwear ever

With your help, we curated 20 ocean friendly swimwear brands 
As requested by our loyal community, we tried to put together the biggest list of sustainable swimwear. We want all of you to find a style that you like alongside with some strong environmental and ethical values. In the swimwear industry, brands are becoming very transparent, but there's still a misconception around what "sustainable" really means. To us, it describes a brand that has both ethical and ecological concerns at the center of their production. Sometimes big claims around a new recycled fibre or technology will gently blur an unethical factory or the other way around. We simplified this for you by indicating if each brand is ethical, eco or both. 

 

 

Ethical vs Eco Friendly Swim


Let me just say that both are good. Both combined are even better. In ethical brands, attention is put on the human aspect. The production chain is fair and sometimes local (European). Some even go as far as proposing European made textile, which is tough to find when Asian options go so cheap. A lot of brands manufacture in fair factories in Bali or Thailand, which are ethical options. 

In eco-friendly brands, the emphasis is put on the textile and it's impact on the environment. Recycled swimwear is very trendy, with brands making textile from ocean waste. New materials like Econyl are made from old fishnets and carpets and the best part is that nylon can be recycled countless times without ever losing it's quality.  As well as being a solution to waste, the regenerated nylon is also better when it comes to climate change. It reduces the global warming impact of nylon by up 80% compared with the regular material from oil.


Important note

Econyl® is still a plastic material that releases micro plastic into waterways. To wash your recycled swimmers, it's important to use a Guppyfriend bag. These bags prevent micro plastics from going into the water. It's also important to follow the care instructions given by brands to help your swimsuit last as long as possible. More years in the water mean less years in a landfill. 



Let's get into that list 

To make things easier for you, we sorted them from most local brand to furthest away from Switzerland. 

 

1. Julienne Swim

ETHICAL & ECO
Julienne is one of those perfect brands. They make each piece from Econyl (recycled nylon) in ethical factories in Portugal. The brand has only recycled and zero waste packaging AND gives back to a breast cancer foundation. Definitely a must add to our blog that features a list of sustainable labels in Switzerland.
 
 
   


2. Bower Swimwear

ETHICAL & ECO
Bower is created specifically for the traveller that enjoys luxury. The fabrics are all created from Econyl, printed by local suppliers and finished in Italy. The brand minimises waste by producing small quantities. 
 

 

   

3. Hunza G

sustainable swimwear
ETHICAL
One of the brands that was brought to us by our community ! I had no idea that Hunza G was an ethical but it seems that they are doing their part. Their whole manufacturing process is based in the UK. Even their crinkle material is made there, but important note, it's not from recycled material. They also produce in small quantities and make scrunchies and other goods from waste material. Their packaging is all eco-friendly and biodegradable.
 
 
   

4. You Swim

ETHICAL
Another british brand thats rocking the crinkle. You Swim is for all sizes and shapes. It's all ethically made in England and  sweatshop free, and the materials are sourced in Europe as well. For this brand also, Econyl was not used, we're guessing the crinkle can't be made from regenerated nylon.
 
 

5. Janthee Berlin

Janthe Berlin

ETHICAL
We love the stylish and extravagant styles of Janthee. The swimsuits are ethically made in Portugal with luxe Italian lycra. Lycra is not a particularly sustainable fibre but it's sourced directly from Italy. 
 
 

 

12. All Sisters

ETHICAL & ECO
This Barcelona based brand uses Oeko Tex certified recycled materials, tested for harmful chemicals. They support their local economy by using upcycled garments made of stock material from local factories as well. All of their production is handled locally in Spain. The founders are ocean lovers, so it seems fair that they go all the way. 




7. Solitas Swim

sustainable swimwear
ETHICAL & ECO
These beautiful swimsets from Mallorcan brand Solitas are all made from recycled nylon (Econyl). Production is based in ethical factories in Bali. We love their cuts and general Mediterranean aesthetic !




8. Away that Day

sustainable swimwear
ETHICAL & ECO
This label is sexy as hell. Their ethics as well since they are proudly made in London. The material is Econyl as well and they send everything in eco packaging. Shut up and take my money?



9. Conscious the Label

sustainable swimwear

ETHICAL & ECO
Another aesthetic we love from this clothing & swim brand. Everything is made from Econyl and made in Lisbon. Totally in love with the animal prints. 



10. Aya the Label

sustainable swimwear
ECO
Another minimalist Econyl brand with beautiful ribbed options. We love that Aya the Label also gives back to ocean initiatives. On the flip side, we would love to have more info on where the swimsuits are produced. 

 




11. Jade Swim

sustainable swimwear
ETHICAL & ECO
Jade swim sums up the three pillars of sustainability really well: Sustainable fabrics, made from Oeko Tex Econyl. Conscious manufacturing: all their garments are made in the USA. And last but not least, biodegradable packaging. We also love that they only make solid colors because patterns have more unsustainable dying processes. 

 



12. Oy Swim

sustainable swimwear
ETHICAL & ECO
A real surf brand for the sporty ones who need a swimsuit that stays ON. It's true that some bikinis can come loose when a wave hits, not OY. Based in Zurich and Germany, the OY founders started their adventure in Bali. When they saw that they were sourcing their Econyl from Europe, they moved the production to Portugal in order to reduce distances. 

 



13. Melich Store

sustainable swimwear
ETHICAL & ECO
Here's a very innovative brand that uses not Econyl but  Q-NOVA® technology. It's is an environmentally- sustainable polyamide 6.6 fiber obtained exclusively from regenerated raw materials. It's great to know that every fabric is dyed and produced in Barcelona. The raw materials come from Italy as well. Love their minimalist vibes so special to Spanish brands. 

 

 



14. B the Beach Brand

sustainable swimwear
Another Spanish brand that works to stay as local as possible. They make their swimsuits with Econyl and 80% of their raw materials come from Spain (the other portion comes from Italy). Seamstresses make the suits in Barcelona as well. They send everything in eco packaging. 




15. Fisch Swim

sustainable swimwear
ECO
One of our favorite brands for their beautiful prints. Unfortunately we're getting into the "further away list" because this brand is from the US. Fisch Swim is a luxury brand with higher prices but also better cuts. They were one of the first brands to use Econyl (from Italy). Unfortunately their website doesn't really disclose where the suits are made, would love to get an update !




17. Mello the Label

ETHICAL
Here's another US brand with a great brand story and prints inspired by the Brazilian way of life. Everything is made in Los Angeles. Mello has their own proprietary blend to create really nice textiles, but what are they made from? Hopefully they will be more transparent as they grow. 




15. Peony Swimwear

sustainable swim
ETHICAL & ECO
In come the Australian brands we can't hide from since they are literally the swimwear bosses. Peony swim is a family run brand that makes all of their garments with sustainable fabrics, including prints, textured and even linings. Econyl® is used for prints and Repreve® is used for linings, which is pretty innovative. They don't disclose where their factories are exaclty but say they are SA8000 compliant. SA8000 is a certification that ensures ethical and fair compliance regarding child labour, forced or compulsory labour, health and safety and more. 





18. Cleonie Swimwear 

sustainable swimwear
ETHICAL & ECO
Another Aussie woman owned brand that cares. Made entirely in Australia (litterally sewn in their studio in North Avoca), the brand uses Econyl® . We absolutely love their shell prints and perfect cuts. 




19. Rame Swimwear

sustainable swim
ETHICAL
Ramé is an Australian label that aims to go against mass produced brands by making small collections. Everything is manufactured in Bali, Indonesia and they are part of the Fashion Revolution, rocking #whomademyclothes campaigns. Although no emphasis is put on the textiles used, the founders use their voice to go against the rubbish problem in Bali and donate 5% of proceeds to the ROLE association.





20. Lé Buns

sustainable swim
 
ETHICAL & ECO
We had to feature Le Buns just because not only are their fabrics regenerated, they also work with natural plant dyes. They have intimates as well as swimwear, all made from the best sustainable fabrics. Only downside, they have moved their production from Ubud to China. The factories support family and flexibility and is audited often, the brand says. 




What do you think about their move? Should a brand also make improvements even if the cost is to move the production to China? It's difficult to judge while not actively working in such a business, but we love to challenge our views. 


We're happy to discuss in the comments. Also let us know which brand you preferred !


Tagged: Fashion

4 comments

  • Tuhkana Swimwear: August 01, 2022

    You should also include Tuhkana in this list! :)
    https://www.tuhkana.com

  • Lizzy: June 13, 2022

    Hi there,

    I’m looking at starting a swimwear brand using recycled materials. Could you please let me know if you have any manufacturers you would recommend?

    Any info would be appreciated!

    Cheers

  • Sandrine: May 17, 2021

    Die wunderbaren Bikinis von Pura clothing gehören für mich ganz Vorne aufs Treppchen :)

  • Cornelia: May 17, 2021

    Neumühle isch no eine! 👌🏼

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