Shopping around for swimwear and hoping to find a new sustainable swimwear brand or two to support? Look no further than this post where I have rounded up some of the best affordable (relative to the nature of this kind of swimwear), ethical, and sustainable swimwear brands that offer high quality swimsuits for different occasions. I hope something here suits your needs!
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Ethical and Sustainable Swimwear Brands
What Makes Swimwear Sustainable and Eco-Friendly?
Swimwear can be considered sustainable if it is made up of particular fabrics and materials.
What Are Eco-Friendly Swimsuits Made Of?
Sustainably made swimwear can be made of a variety of fabrics, but usually affordable ethical swimwear is made up of recycled fabrics or with fabrics made up of non-toxic dyes. If recycled fabric is used, the swimwear can be considered sustainable because it wasn’t made with “virgin fabrics”. Many of the sustainable swimwear brands mentioned in this post are made with recycled fabrics!
Is It Possible To Get Cheap Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Swimwear?
It is definitely possible to find affordable sustainable swimwear options, but keep in mind that sustainable fashion does come at a higher price-point than fast fashion brands. Below you’ll find some of my favorite sustainable swimwear brands, many of which offer a variety of sustainable swimsuits that won’t break the bank. They can be “cheap sustainable swimwear” when looking at the price ranges of these types of bathing suits!
The Best Affordable, Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Swimwear Brands
Below I am sharing some of my favorite sustainable swimsuit brands that I have found! The price ranges vary, but they are all relatively affordable and the quality is fabulous. Plus the prints and cuts? Amazing. If I have personal experience with the sustainable swimsuit brand, I will be sure to call out fit details and any styles I particualarly love. For fit reference, I am 5’8″, bra size 36J UK/36M US and typically wear a size 14 or 16. My rough measurements are 35″ waist and 50″ hips.
Keep reading for the best eco-friendly affordable swimwear brands! And if buying a swimsuit isn’t in your budget right now, pin this post to come back to later and you can offer free support to the brands with a “follow” on their social media accounts.
Nomads Swimwear
This is a Black owned affordable ethical swimwear brand that is not only size inclusive, but sustainable! They offer a variety of suits in different colors and prints, all ranging from more modern looks to classic swimsuit looks. Their Bay Top style is super cute and a great option if you’re looking for relatively cheap sustainable swimwear.
You can shop Nomads Swimwear in sizes XS-5X in their shop priced from $60-175.
Summersalt
Summersalt swimsuits are made with recycled or eco-friendly materials including: TENCEL™, TENCEL Modal and Cupro. These fabrics are created from post-consumer materials and nylon waste, such as fishing nets. Summersalt also uses recycled materials for product packaging. The price point for the high quality swimsuits at Summersalt is relatively cheap when it comes to eco-friendly swimwear. Personally, I love the Sidestroke, Marina and The Wrap one piece swimsuits. I find them all to fit true to size.
You can also use code CASEY10 for $10 towards your Summersalt purchase. Most swimsuit styles run $95 and are available in sizes 0-24.
Londré
Londré swimsuits are made in Vancouver in small batches of recycled fabrics. They are ethically made and eco-friendly, made from over 100,000 repurposed water bottles from Taiwan beaches. Other sustainability efforts that Londré makes includes their programs for recycling and repairing swimwear. Londré kindly sent me a few swimsuits to test out and I can speak first hand about the quality of the swimsuits. The fabric feels sturdy and comfortable on your body. Unfortunately my breasts are a bit too large for the styles, but I think it’s a great sustainable swimsuit option for those less busty. I tried the swimsuits in size XXL.
Londré bathing suits come in sizes XXS-5XL and range from $65-$178.
Kitty and Vibe
This sustainable swimwear brand is made up of high quality pieces in fabulous colors and patterns! Personally, I love the Scoop and Plunge styles for bikini tops and Classic High Hip and String for bikini bottoms. For sizing reference, my bra size is 36J UK and I have the bikini tops in H. I wear a size 14/16 in pants and wear the XL2.
Kitty and Vibe size range goes from 0-24 with a cup size range of A-H and their prices range from $29-52. Discount code Casey15 will save you $15 on your purchase.
BOLD Swim
This inclusive and eco-friendly swimwear brand offers some truly beautiful swimsuits! All of the bathing suits are made with biodegradable fabric and they’re known for their luxurious looks. I think their asymmetrical monokini is beautiful and would look amazing poolside at your favorite resort this summer!
You can shop BOLD swimsuits in sizes S-XXXL and are priced from $55-190.
Bravissimo Eco Friendly Edit
Bravissimo is one of my favorite brands for cup size swimsuits, as well as lingerie. They offer a variety of styles for women with large breasts. There are several swimsuits that are eco-friendly and made with sustainable fabrics. If you don’t know your current bra size, you can also set up a virtual fit session with a specialist. Bravissimo swimsuits are usually around $100 for a set or one piece.
The Palma bikini top, briefs, tankini top and swim skirt are all made from Ecowave. This creates fabric from plastic bottles and plastic waste in the Mediterranean sea. It also uses solar energy and a digital printing process that’s 100% waterless.
Night Dive Swim
Night Dive swim is made in Bali with zero production waste. Any leftover fabric scraps are used locally in the community. The workers are treated fairly, many having been together working for 15 years! This size inclusive, sustainable swimwear brand uses recycled materials, such as fishing nets, to make their nylon. When it comes to sizing, I wear XL in the bottoms and find those true to size. For tops, I size up to a 3x for optimal breast coverage. I share more specifics on styles and sizing in this Night Dive Swim blog post.
Night Dive sizes range from S-6X with prices ranging from $79-129.
Girlfriend Collective
Girlfriend Collective is known for their activewear and inclusive sizing, but did you know they also create swimsuits? As you probably guessed it, the swimwear line is pretty sporty. GF Swim can be mixed and matched to find the style that suits your needs. The swimsuits are designed with ECONYL®, a premium fabric created with regenerated nylon made from old fishing nets and other post-industrial waste. Also, with every GF Swim purchase, the brand will donate 1% to Healthy Seas. While I haven’t tried this affordable ethical swimwear line, I do wear their leggings and sports bras and can speak to the high quality!
You can shop the affordable ethical swimwear line in sizes XXS-6XL and ranges from $38-$78.
YouSwim
These swimsuits might just be the most comfortable affordable ethical swimsuits out there! They’re known for being super stretchy and fit multiple sizes in one. I’ve tried a handful of YouSwim styles and personally have had the best luck with the bikinis. Poise and Aplomb are the styles that I gravitate towards!
YouSwim suits are unique in that they are one size fits most (fits sizes 2-12 with a cup size of A-G cup, but I am size 14/16 and 36J UK and fit the suits) and they’re priced at $139.
REI
REI offers a variety of sustainably made swimwear from a variety of brands. The brand REI is known for their “outdoorsy” centered products and these suits are made to last and withstand rigorous use! If you’re headed outdoors this summer, this cheap eco-friendly swimwear will be great options for you!
REI swimsuits range goes from XXS-2XL and prices range from $35-110.
Baiia Swim
From start to finish, Baiia Swim is a brand that focuses on being the change they want to see in the world. Baiia means “one who has the capacity to change the world for the better“. This Australian sustainable swimsuit brand is most well known for the reversible wrap bikini and one pieces swimsuit styles. They are high quality swimsuits made from from OEKO-TEX 100 certified regenerated nylon. Baiia also has a line of resort wear to pair with their bathing suits. I have a revisable wrap swimsuit from Baiia and love the fit of it. I feel held in and supported throughout my chest and stomach. Sizing wise, I wear a 16.
You can shop Baiia in US sizes 0-22 for an average price point of $225.
Patagonia
This classic swimwear brand offers high quality pieces perfect for adventure! If you are planning for a summer of adventure, these high quality swimsuits are what you should be looking for.
At Patagonia, you’ll find a variety of styles available in sizes XXS-XXL with a price range of $55-179.
Why Should I Buy Sustainable Swimwear?
There are many pro’s to buying sustainable swimwear, and at that sustainable fashion as a whole. One of the biggest reasons to buy sustainable swimwear (and clothing) is that it saves natural resources which is important in our ever expanding world. Choosing sustainable also requires less water, reduces your carbon footprint, and saves animals. You can read more about the benefits of buying sustainable fashion here.
Is Sustainable Swimwear Good Quality?
Short answer, yes. Sustainable swimwear is definitely of good quality! Sustainable swimwear is typically made of high quality products and often times is of even higher quality than it’s fast fashion competitors swimsuits. This is because of the care that goes into selecting the individual fabrics and materials that make up the suit itself.
Are Eco-Friendly Swimsuits Comfortable?
Well, as someone who owns quite a few suits from the brands mentioned in this post, I would have to say YES! Yes, sustainably made swimsuits are comfortable! The high quality material is evident in the fit of the swimsuits and the feel of the fabrics used.
Purchasing sustainable and eco-friendly swimwear for the summer is a great choice, and the good news is you can find relatively cheap and affordable swimsuit options too. The relatively cheap eco-friendly swimwear brands mentioned in this post are a great place to begin when shopping for your new sustainable swimwear for the season!
You Might Also Like
If you liked this post, you might enjoy my post packed full of the best small business swimwear brands! I also have a post where I’ve shared some of my favorite swimsuits for big boobs here. If you live in DFW, this post highlights some of the best places to thrift shop in Dallas. There’s a lot more swimwear and fashion content on my social media channels, so be sure to come say hi on Instagram or TikTok!
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