We’ve previously presented you with the best sustainable activewear brands and loungewear brands, but ’tis the season to shop for swim, so now we’re bringing you our sustainable swimwear roundup. The market is saturated by greenwashing and false claims of “eco-friendly” materials, and while factors like manufacturing practices, energy usage, and fair treatment of workers are all important things to consider when purchasing from a brand, for the purposes of this roundup, we’ve looked predominantly for brands that use sustainable materials.
From ECONYL — a regenerated nylon created from post-consumer waste (such as used fishing nets) — to other materials that meet the Global Recycled Standard (a system which verifies that recycled products have been processed in a climate-friendly way), many of the sustainable brands we found use materials that offer traditional swim qualities and features (stretch, water absorption, etc.) without being so harmful to the environment. And while many also include trace amounts of synthetic fibers that aren’t truly sustainable or recyclable, cleaning methods like handwashing or using microfiber-filtering laundry bags can all help prevent shedding.
While we hope this list will continue to grow, for now, here are 10 sustainable swimwear brands that deserve your attention (and hard-earned money) right now. Read on to learn more and shop stylish swimsuits for the summer.
All linked products are independently selected by our editors. If you purchase any of these products, we may earn a commission.
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Berlook Sustainable Swimwear
Sustainable materials: ECONYL regenerated nylon; recycled polyamide, polyester, and spandex
Created after the pandemic taught the creator of this brand about “the fragility of our ecosystem,” according to the website, Berlook’s founder sought to design sustainable swimwear and activewear that didn’t hurt the environment. All of the brand’s swimwear options (including plus size swim styles) are created from eco-friendly recycled materials, such as ECONYL so that you can feel comfortable (hello, stretchy fabric!) while staying eco-conscious.
Shop Berlook
Berlook Plus Size Black Contrast Trim Bikini Top, $, available at Berlook
Berlook Plus Size Contrast Trim Bikini Bottom, $, available at Berlook
Matteau Sustainable Swimwear
Sustainable materials: Repreve recycled nylon yarn — waste generated during fiber manufacturing; ECONYL nylon yarn; Q-Nova — post-industrial Nylon waste
If you’re looking for luxurious swimwear that’s just as sustainable as it is stylish, look to Matteau. The Australian brand sells clothing and swimwear composed of several different recycled nylons. The plain swimwear is produced from Repreve nylon, the printed swimwear from ECONYL, and the crinkle textured swimwear from Q-Nova.
Shop Matteau
Matteau Asymmetric Maillot Swimsuit, $, available at Matteau
Zonarch Sustainable Swimwear
Sustainable materials: Recycled nylon created from post-consumer waste
Luxury swimwear with sustainable materials at affordable industry prices can be very hard to come by, but L.A.-based brand Zonarch does it well. The brand uses one or more recycled (and recyclable), natural, and organic materials across its sporty swimwear, but when natural fibers are not available, recycled yarns like regenerated nylon are used. Each suit is made from GRS-certified recycled nylon.
Shop Zonarch
Zonarch Joan Top, $, available at Zonarch
Zonarch Joan Bottom, $, available at Zonarch
Prana Sustainable Swimwear
Sustainable materials: ECONYL regenerated nylon, LYCRA XTRA LIFE elastane
You may know Prana for its sustainable everyday basics and activewear, but the Columbian brand also offers swimwear. The full swim selection uses ECONYL regenerated nylon and most styles contain a blend of LYCRA EXTRA LIFE, a durable elastane that lasts 10 times longer than traditional swimwear materials.
Shop Prana
prAna Tulum Swim Top, $, available at prAna
prAna Tulum Swim Bottom, $, available at prAna
Andie Swim Sustainable Swimwear
Sustainable materials: Recycled nylon and polyester yarns from pre-consumer waste
Andie Swim offers R29 editor-favorite swim styles in timeless silhouettes and inclusive sizes. 75% of Andie Swim’s products are created from recycled materials, according to the brand. Most of the swimwear is composed of Eco-Nylon and recycled polyester from pre-consumer waste, which prevents the need to extract new raw materials for new styles.
Shop Andie Swim
Andie Swim The Tulum One Piece, $, available at Andie Swim
Reformation Sustainable Swimwear
Sustainable materials: Fulgar and ECONYL regenerated nylon, plant-based materials
After a long hiatus while the brand was working on making its swimwear even more sustainable, Ref Swim is back and better than ever. The vintage-inspired pieces are either made from renewable or plant-based materials, and predominantly from regenerated nylon blended with a bit of elastane. While elastane is synthetic, the brand recommends hand-washing its swimwear using its Guppyfriend bag to reduce shedding microplastics.
Shop Reformation
Reformation Verne Bikini Top, $, available at Reformation
Reformation Campo Bikini Bottom, $, available at Reformation
Summersalt Sustainable Swimwear
Sustainable materials: Recycled polyamide, post-consumer materials, nylon waste
Summersalt offers “designer swimwear without the designer price” in inclusive sizes. The swim styles are made from the brand’s “signature swim fabric,” which is composed of 78% recycled polyamide from pre- and post-consumer waste (ex: fishing nets and elastane), which also offers UPF 50+ protection.
Shop Summersalt
Summersalt The Perfect Wrap One-Piece, $, available at Summersalt
Mara Hoffman Sustainable Swimwear
Sustainable materials: PYRATEX created from wood pulp fibers, recycled nylon, and polyester
Mara Hoffman has been a sustainability maverick in the fashion industry for 24 years. While all of her namesake brand’s swimwear is produced from both recycled nylons and polyesters, there is also a PYRATEX swim collection, composed of dissolved wood pulp, which mimics the qualities and features of traditional synthetic swimwear without using traditional polyester or nylon. But act fast, because after Hoffman’s recent announcement, we know the spring 2024 collection and all remaining stock will be the last available pieces for the foreseeable future.
Shop Mara Hoffman
Mara Hoffman Lua Bikini Top, $, available at Mara Hoffman
Mara Hoffman Cece Bikini Bottom, $, available at Mara Hoffman
SU78 Sustainable Swimwear
Sustainable materials: Recycled nylon yarns
In SU78’s (Summer of 78’s) debut swimwear collection, the brand came out with a bang, using recycled nylon yarn that meets Global Recycled standards across each sleek and simple design. The swim tops purposely don’t include removable pads, as they contribute to the global landfill crisis. The brand instead suggests reusing cups from your other swimwear and adding them into the interior pockets.
Shop SU78
SU78 Eco Sparkle Margot Top, $, available at SU78
SU78 Eco Sparkle Aimee Bottom, $, available at SU78
Jade Swim Sustainable Swimwear
Sustainable materials: Recycled fibers from fishing nets, plastic bottles, and fabric scraps
For sleek and sustainable swimwear, you can also check out Jade Swim, which uses responsibly sourced materials and recycled fibers from oceans and landfills that are chlorine-, oil- and cream-resistant. You also won’t find wasteful padding in its tops or one-pieces.
Shop Jade Swim
Jade Swim Mia Top, $, available at Jade Swim
Jade Swim Incline Bottom, $, available at Jade Swim
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