In a continuation of our series, here is the Ethical Stylists Guide to Summer: 8 Ethical Swimwear Lines to Love.
If you’re anything like me, your relationship with swimwear is…complicated, perhaps a necessary evil. I love the places and events I wear my suit to, often love the suit itself, but sometimes lack the confidence. And shopping for swimwear? Well, studies have proven that we all hate it. Seriously, someone studied this. I suppose they had nothing else to do that day.
Anyway, I can’t improve the lighting in the dressing room, but I can make the ethical and eco-friendly part a little easier. Here are 8 ethical and eco-friendly swimwear brand to make shopping a little easier (I hope!):
1. Vitamin A
When my sister got married ten years ago, she gave bikinis as a bridesmaids gift. Unconventional? Probably. But when you’re headed to Cabo for 5 days, why not! She gave me this brown and rainbow with bronze accent striped bottom with a hot pink top. It was the cutest bikini I had ever owned. I have been hooked ever since. The bottoms are completely stretched out and the top has faded to a light pink, but I still wear it occasionally.
I didn’t know then that they use recycled nylon. I didn’t know that they are designed and made in California. I just knew I loved it. And still do. They make sustainability and ethical fashion super sexy!
2. Reformation
I just love Reformation. Made ethically in LA using deadstock fabrics. Their tagline is, “Being naked is the number one sustainable choice, We are number 2.” And when you are almost naked, why not be in Reformation.
3. Mara Hoffman
In 2015 Mara Hoffman set out to become more sustainable. They use responsibly sourced organic, recycled and regenerated materials whenever possible and work to ensure all that work on their clothing are treated fairly. They also ask us, the consumer, to help hold them accountable. We would love to, Mara Hoffman!
4. Galamaar
Everything is designed and made in LA. Galamaar is constantly trying to be more transparent, do better, and become more sustainable. They use recycled hang tags and packaging materials, try to maintain a sustainable office setting, and use discarded fishing nets in their production, keeping them out of the ocean and offering a better fit and a long lasting suit (keeping you from replacing it every year!)
5. Naja
Naja uses recycled plastic bottles, is constantly striving to find more sustainable fabrics, and uses digital and sublimation printing to reduce their water consumption. They employ mostly single and head of household women to produce their swimwear, paying them above market wages and providing healthcare and flexible work hours. Their focus is on female empowerment from the models and poses, to their styles and company ethics.
6. Anekdot
Anekdot is an upcycle line. They source everything from deadstock, vintage, production leftovers, and end of the line fabrics. What can’t be made from upcycled products is locally sourced.
7. Underprotection
Their goal is to make swimwear that makes you dream about vacation and summer. Done! They try to show that fair and sustainable fashion and fabrics are not boring or less fashionable and have succeeded. Everything is made in a certified factory using sustainable fabrics.
8. Koru Swimwear
Koru, inspired by the New Zealand love of the environment and a relaxed attitude, is a swimwear brand made from 100% regenerated polyaminde (or discarded fishing nets). They extend their environmental approach into everything they do, from their hangtags to their packaging.
A great place to shop for these ethical suits is at Azura Bay, where everything is thoughtfully chosen with the earth and the people making it in mind.