12 Ethical, Sustainable, & Size Inclusive Swimsuit Brands
Ethical & sustainable swimwear can be a challenge to find…especially size inclusive swimwear brands!
This sustainable style guide explores the popular recycled nylon and polyester materials used to create eco-friendly swimsuits, body positivity, and ethical swimsuit brands to love.
What to look for when shopping for a sustainable swimsuit?
Swimsuits are tricky mainly because of the small selection of materials. Synthetic fabrics are a popular choice in the fashion industry for swimwear because of their durability and ability to get wet.
Most sustainable swimwear brands on the market use recycled synthetic fabrics such as recycled Nylon or recycled polyester.
What is Recycled Nylon?
ECONYL is a popular recycled nylon brand with some great resources on their website. ECONYL® reduces the global warming impact of nylon by up to 90% compared with the petroleum based textiles.
Through their partnership with Healthy Seas this recycled nylon brand is actually transforming waste into yarn.
Healthy Seas collects ocean waste and old fishing nets and hands them over to ECONYL® who cleans, depolymerizes and transforms the fish nets and other nylon waste into high quality yarn.
The yarn is then used to make brand new products such as activewear, face masks, and swimwear. The quality of this material is durable and crafted to last for years.
WHERE IS THE SWIMSUIT MADE?
Along with thinking about the materials, consider the carbon footprint of the swimwear. If the swimsuit is made abroad this is going to have a larger environmental impact due to the shipping and such.
I don’t think there is a perfect sustainable swimsuit out there yet, but there are definitely some brands moving the swimwear industry in a positive direction.
This list of Swimsuit Brands with Ethical, Sustainable, & Size Inclusive Values features some wonderful brands to consider.
12 Eco-friendly Brands with Sustainable Swimsuits
These are some of the best swimwear brands that practice size inclusivity, ethical production, use sustainable materials, and are focused on creating a positive change.
This post does contain some affiliate links which means The Honest Consumer may receive a commission if you decide to purchase, however, at no additional cost to you!
ColieCo’s Swimwear Made with Reclaimed Fabrics
ColieCo produces ethically made, sustainable lingerie, underwear and swimwear in an in-house studio in Sagres, Portugal. This ethical brand carefully-selects natural, recycled and reclaimed fabrics; manufactures to order and uses intelligent garment design and cutting processes to minimize textile waste.
Their swimsuits are made from Reclaimed Italian knit lycra upcycled from luxury swimwear industry deaadstock. Their sizes range from XS-XXL and prices ranging from $30-$50.
Kitty and Vibe Recycled Poly Swimwear
Kitty & Vibe is a fun inclusive swimwear brand featuring unique patterns. All of their swimsuits are designed in NYC; their styles and prints are designed in-house, making them totally one of a kind!
The fabric is digitally printed in Bogota, Colombia and moves to their manufacturer, a family owned factory, also in Bogota, where Kitty and Vibe is produced ethically in small batches.
Their tops range in sizes A-G and bottoms feature a variety of styles ranging S-3XL and feature additional bottom options depending on booty size and coverage. Their swimwear prices range from $36-$98.
Girlfriend Sustainable Swimwear for All Sizes
Girlfriend is making inclusive sustainable swimwear for all aquatic activities. Like beach volleyball, swimming (naturally), and mixing and matching for a near-custom perfect fit as their sizes range from XS-6XL.
GF Swim is ethically made with ECONYL® regenerated nylon which is made from nylon waste otherwise polluting the earth, like fishing nets, fabric scraps, and industrial plastic — plus, it gives back 1% to Healthy Seas.
Their swimwear ranges from $45-$95 and features bold colors. Their styles feature one-piece suits and sustainable bikinis.
Wolven’s Eco-conscious Bold Patterned Swimwear
Wolven is a BIPOC, female-founded brand whose mission is to promote environmental protection, community, and inclusivity through stand out clothing that not only lets you look good, but feel good while wearing it.
Wolven prides itself on designing stand-out styles that are made from recycled materials.
Their fabric is made from BPA-Free recycled bottles that are transformed into soft, sexy sustainable clothes that you can be proud to wear.
Wolven also off-sets their carbon footprint and donates 1% of their annual revenue to environmental and community organizations. Wolven's swimsuits feature bold patterns and range in size from XS-XL.
Arkas ECONYL Recycled Nylon Swimsuits
Arkas swimwear is ethically made in the USA. Their recycled collection features bold swimsuits made with ECONYL® Recycled Nylon. This ethical lingerie & swimwear brand designs around core fabrics that are evergreen, which means that excess materials can be worked into future seasons instead of being discarded.
Araks’ partners use solar power or cogeneration, creating energy from captured emissions, they measure the carbon footprint of each meter of fabric, and conserve, recycle, and clean excess unused water to reuse in production or return it to the environment. Discover sustainable swimwear in sizes XS-XXL. Their swimwear is a bit higher priced at $110-$200 per piece.
BOLD Swim’s Eco-friendly Style
Bold Swim's sustainable line of size-inclusive swimwear is made from Amni Soul Eco® Thread / CO2 Light Fabric — a biodegradable nylon fabric manufactured in Brazil that is both eco-friendly and soft to the touch. The fabric requires minimal water in the production process and is made exclusively with non-toxic dyes.
Even the excess deadstock fabric waste from the production of BOLD Swim’s suits are upcycled into rugs and mats made by local artisans and sold locally in Brazil.
BOLD swim is a women-owned and person of color owned business crafting swimsuits from S-3XL. Bold's swimwear ranges from $100-$205.
PrAna: Sustainable Swimwear for Men and Women
PrAna focuses on fair trade sustainability, and giving back as a men & women’s clothing brand. Their swimsuits specifically focus on using eco-conscious materials such as ECONYL ® Recycled Nylon.
PrAna partners with local and international charities to give back. PrAna’s swimwear currently ranges from XS-XL. However, PrAna does carry clothing in sizes up to 3X, so hopefully their swimwear will expand to include these sizes soon.
Their swimsuits feature a range of styles for men and women and they even offer options that are great for water sports. PrAna's swimwear ranges from $55-$100.
Sensi Graves: Eco-friendly Swimsuits Giving Back
Sensi Graves swimwear is made to work and designed to last - season after season. All pieces are made in the USA by accomplished seamstresses earning living wages.
Swimwear is sustainably made with fabrics made from recycled plastic bottles and reclaimed fishing nets.
Sensi Graves is a women-owned business with a mission to empower women in sports. This socially responsible brand also gives back 1% of each purchase to non-profits focused on environmental protection. Their swimwear features sizes XS-XL and ranges in price from $65-$120.
Lime Ricki: Swimwear Made in USA + Gives Back
Lime Ricki is doing a great job of spreading body positivity with their swimsuits ranging from XS-4XL. They carry a wide variety of styles allowing customers to find a flattering fit for their body type which I LOVE.
Their swimwear is proudly sewn in the USA & gives back. A portion of each purchase goes to purchase goes to Charity Water, an organization that brings clean and safe drinking water to developing nations.
Swimsuits & Positive Body Image
Honestly, I think size inclusive swimwear plays a major role in redefining society’s messed up image of the perfect beach body. I’m always shocked at the amount of swimwear brands who only offer the classic bikini style swimsuit in sizes up to large or XL. Like what?
First of all the basic bikini style isn’t what everyone feels comfortable in. With some beautiful curves myself, I don’t feel like the classic bikini style swimsuit does my lovely curves justice. I’m more of a high rise lady as I feel this flatters my body better.
And second having more options in styles and sizes includes more people which is good all around! Anyway....there’s my rant for the day! This guide features brands that are body positive and most of these brands range from XS-6XL.
Tips for Picking Out the Best Swimsuit
Swimsuit shopping can be overwhelming! Here are a few tips to help make it a bit easier!
Know your body measurements. Every swimsuit brand has different sizing and depending on the material that can impact sizing too. So if you're ordering a swimsuit online be sure to check the size charts so you purchase the right size.
Find a swimsuit style that flatters your body. It's okay if the classic cuts aren't what you feel confident in. For me I prefer high waisted swimsuits and do not feel confident in traditional bikini styles.
Be sure you're investing in quality swimwear. This is another key aspect of sustainability. You want to make sure the swimsuit you buy will last for years to come. Choosing a high quality swimsuit brand will also save you money since you won't have to purchase a new swimsuit as often.
Try to choose a timeless and seasonless design. That way you will feel confident wearing it all year round and for years to come.
Consider buying separates instead of a set. Sometimes a bikini top size fits different than the bottom.
For more tips & tricks on conscious living be sure to follow The Honest Consumer on social media.
