Ethical and Sustainable Swimwear 2024

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Aalia Mauro

The Ethical and Sustainable Swimwear You Need for 2024

Close your eyes and imagine the sun-kissed shores, the rhythmic sound of waves, and the sheer joy of a day at the beach. Now, consider the swimsuit you’re wearing – is it contributing to the destruction of the very environment you’re enjoying? Fast fashion swimwear may offer affordability and trendiness, but the cost to our planet is staggering. From pollution to exploitation, the dark side of this industry is undeniable. But fear not! A wave of change is cresting, offering stylish, sustainable alternatives that not only look good but do good too.

The Environmental Impact of Fast Fashion Swimwear:

Let’s dive into the deep end of the problem: fast fashion swimwear. It’s not just about looking good – it’s about the toll it takes on our planet. The production process consumes excessive water, energy, and chemicals, leaving a trail of pollution and waste. From harmful dyes to unethical labor practices, the true cost of fast fashion swimwear extends far beyond its price tag.

Benefits of Choosing Sustainable Swimwear:

But don’t fret! There’s hope on the horizon in the form of sustainable swimwear. Picture this: reducing waste and pollution, embracing high-quality, durable designs, prioritizing comfort and fit, and supporting ethical practices. These are the hallmarks of eco-friendly swimwear that not only make a statement but also make a difference.

What Should You Look For When Shopping for Sustainable Bathing Suits?:

When you’re on the hunt for the perfect swimsuit, keep your eyes peeled for fabrics that put the planet first. Brands are innovating with recycled materials like plastic bottles and fishing nets, turning waste into wearable art. By choosing these options, you’re not just making a purchase – you’re casting a vote for a cleaner, greener future.

The Best Eco-Friendly & Sustainable Swimwear fabrics:

Gone are the days when sustainability meant sacrificing style. These brands offer a dazzling array of options crafted from recycled materials like plastic bottles, fishing nets, and even ocean waste. By supporting them, you’re not just making a fashion statement – you’re making a stand for our planet.

4 Eco-Friendly Swimwear Fabrics to Know: As we navigate the waters of sustainable fashion, let’s explore four game-changing fabrics that are making waves in the industry:

  1. Hemp: Nature’s gift, offering durability, UV protection, and biodegradability.
  2. ECONYL®: The superhero of recycled fibers, turning waste into wonder with its resilience and eco-friendliness.
  3. REPREVE®: Transforming plastic bottles into soft, comfortable swimwear that’s as kind to your skin as it is to the planet.
  4. Recycled Polyester: Closing the loop on plastic waste, offering quick-drying properties and resistance to the elements.

Gone are the days when “eco-friendly” meant compromising on design or quality. Today, sustainable swimwear brands offer many fashionable options made from recycled materials like plastic bottles, fishing nets, and even ocean waste. Not only are these pieces stylish, but they also help reduce waste and promote a cleaner environment.

By choosing sustainable swimwear, you can positively impact the planet without sacrificing your style. Supporting brands that align with your values and prioritize ethical manufacturing practices is a small step that can make a big difference in reducing the fashion industry’s carbon footprint.

The Environmental Impact of Fast Fashion Swimwear

Fast fashion swimwear has become popular for many due to its affordability and trendy designs. However, the environmental impact of this industry is staggering. Fast fashion swimwear contributes to pollution, waste, and exploitation from the production process to the end of the garment’s life.

The production of fast fashion swimwear involves the intensive use of water, energy, and chemicals. The textile industry is known for its high water consumption and the release of harmful chemicals into water bodies. Additionally, producing virgin synthetic fabrics like nylon and polyester, commonly used in swimwear, requires the extraction of non-renewable resources and contributes to greenhouse gas emissions.

Furthermore, fast fashion swimwear is often made with cheap labor and unethical manufacturing practices. Workers in garment factories are subjected to long hours, low wages, and unsafe working conditions. Child labor is also prevalent in some regions, highlighting the industry’s dark side.

Benefits of Choosing Sustainable Swimwear

Choosing sustainable swimwear comes with a host of benefits that go beyond just being environmentally friendly. Let’s explore some of the advantages of opting for eco-friendly swimwear:

  1. Reducing waste and pollution: Sustainable swimwear is often made from recycled materials, reducing the demand for virgin resources and diverting waste from landfills. Choosing these options will help reduce pollution and support a circular economy.
  2. High-quality and durable: Sustainable swimwear brands focus on quality and durability. These pieces are designed to last, ensuring you get the most out of your investment. They can withstand multiple seasons and maintain their shape and color with proper care.
  3. Comfort and fit: Sustainable swimwear is designed with both style and functionality in mind. These brands prioritize comfort and fit, ensuring you feel confident and comfortable in your swimsuit.
  4. Support for ethical practices: By choosing sustainable swimwear, you support brands prioritizing fair wages, safe working conditions, and transparent supply chains. You contribute to the creation of a more ethical and responsible fashion industry.

What Should You Look For When Shopping for Sustainable Bathing Suits?

It has been almost impossible to find sustainable swimsuits made without synthetic fiber (if you are unfamiliar, these fibers are petrochemical-based and do not biodegrade like natural fibers). Microplastics are still an issue in ethical swimwear, but brands are working to ensure they do not use virgin synthetics. Instead, these brands are taking post-consumer waste like plastic bottles and fishing nets and creating new performance fabrics that work just as well as any other bathing suit you find.

Discover Bold Swim’s Top Picks on Verte Mode

Confronted with the limitations of sizing options in mainstream swimwear, Tiffany recognized an opportunity to bridge the gap. Thus, BOLD Swim was born. This inclusive and sustainable swimwear brand offers a luxurious experience while championing eco-friendliness and inclusivity.

At the heart of BOLD Swim lies a commitment to sustainability. Utilizing innovative materials such as Amni Soul Eco®, a polyamide yarn renowned for its enhanced biodegradability, BOLD Swim minimizes its environmental footprint. This conscious choice not only reduces waste but also leaves a positive legacy for future generations.

With BOLD Swim, Tiffany Asamoah has not only created a solution to a common dilemma but has also sparked a movement towards a more inclusive, sustainable future in swimwear fashion.

Here are our curated selections from Bold Swim’s swimwear collection, now available on Verte Mode, the premier destination for sustainable and ethical fashion:

Every brand on Verte Mode is evaluated for various criteria of sustainability from sourcing, materials, fair pay to packaging. A one stop place where you can find find everything you need to a sustainable lifestyle.

1 . Kaylyn Gardner

Prices Starting At: $80-$200

Description:

If you’re looking for a synthetic-free suit that’s made from all-natural materials, check out Kaylyn Gardner. These beautiful knitted one- and two-pieces are made with organic cotton and natural dyes (including avocado!). Each piece is handmade to order, so if you need a larger or smaller size, they can accommodate you. In addition to swimwear, Kaylyn Gardner also carries knit loungewear perfect for wearing around the house, pool, or beach all year round

Kaylyn Gardner
Kaylyn Gardner

2 . Made Trade

Prices Starting At: $45-225

Description:

Made Trade is home to several brands who create sustainable swimsuits for every type of body. Many of their brands are woman-owned, and full of different fibers to choose from. The Amni Soul Eco® Thread used by BOLD Swim is so interesting because it’s a biodegradable nylon fabric!

Made Trade
Made Trade

3 . Carve Designs

Prices Starting At: $42 - 99

Description:

As a company born at the beach and inspired by the outdoors, Carve Designs prides itself on crafting fashion-forward swimsuit designs made from 100% recycled materials. Their swim line is made from plastic bottles found in the ocean, where 5 bottles are used for each piece, reducing carbon emissions by 80%. The women of Carve set out to push boundaries & prove functionality, sustainability, and fashion go hand in hand.

Carve Designs
Carve Designs

4 . Kitty & Vibe

Prices Starting At: $46-95

Description:

Kitty & Vibe carries swimwear that not only comes in super fun fabrics, but is also available in a wide variety of fits, sizes, and styles, making it easier to find something that feels great on your body. The brand is in the process of transitioning their fabrics to more sustainable ones; currently, half of their suits are made from recycled polyester.

Kitty & Vibe
Kitty & Vibe

5 . Wolven

Prices Starting At: $48-168

Description:

Wolven probably has one of the most colorful collections of any swimwear line. Their prints are so vibrant, and perfect for all your under the sun activities. I think it’s great they have many different styles – from one pieces to high-waisted bikini bottoms. Plus, all swimwear is made from recycled plastic bottles! I’ve had one of their bathing suits for years and love it!

Wolven
Wolven

6 . Vitamin A

Prices Starting At: $78-264

Description:

So many cool fabrics in this collection: EcoLux is made from recycled nylon fibers – EcoRib is a stretch-ribbed swim fabric made from nylon fiber scraps – EcoTex emits fewer greenhouse gases and conserves water + energy in the production process – BioSculpt provides an organic alternative to fossil fuel based nylon.

Vitamin A
Vitamin A

7 . Girlfriend

Prices Starting At: $38-78

Description:

The most size-inclusive of the swimwear brands on this list, Girlfriend is definitely a fan favorite in activewear. I’m so excited to see them come out with a swimwear line!

Their bathing suits are very basic, and come in many different colors. They also give back 1% to Healthy Seas

Girlfriend
Girlfriend

8 . Bold Swim

Prices Starting At: $38-195

Description:

Bold swim embodies a fresh, minimalist take on women’s swimwear, focusing on timeless designs and a forward-thinking approach to fashion. 

Bold swim produce in small curated collections, starting 2021 only three times a year. That means any left over from prior collections are used in our future design capsules and limited pieces.

 Bold Swim
 Bold Swim

9 . Patagonia

Prices Starting At: $55-179

Description:

From an active standpoint, this brand is probably one of the best to shop through. They create some of the best performance wear on the market, so if you love to surf, hike, boat, etc – you’ll find these swimsuits very practical! From rash guard tops to board shorts, they have you covered. Plus, all swimsuits are Fair Trade sewn, and they have a great collection of men’s swimsuits!

 Patagonia
 Patagonia

10 . Lively

Prices Starting At: $45-80

Description:

I am so glad I found this brand because I’ve had several people ask for bathing suit tops for curvier chests. Well, here you go!! Lively has tops for A to DDD, and you can mix-and-match bottoms with ease. They are inspired by a mix of active lifestyle and vintage vibes, and besides their mix-and-match bikinis, they have a few one-pieces!

Lively
Lively

11 . Cleobella

Prices Starting At: $98-228

Description:

Cleobella’s swimsuits are ethically made in Sri Lanka from OEKO-TEX® and GRS-certified fabrics. They work with local artisans and small factories, creating jobs and sustainable incomes worldwide. Their new Spring 23 collection is gorgeous!!

Cleobella
Cleobella

12 . TomboyX

Prices Starting At: $49-99

Description:

Female-founded and run, Tomboy has designed a variety of swimsuits that truly fit different bodies and styles. They have uni suits, board shorts, swimsuits, and swim tanks. Each piece is offered in different creative patterns with full coverage options.

TomboyX
TomboyX

13 . REI

Prices Starting At: $45-100

Description:

REI has a great curated collection of sustainable swimsuits from brands like prAna, Nani Swimwear and Patagonia. When it comes to outdoor shopping, REI is a company I trust much more than others. The brands they choose to curate typically have a much higher level of ethics!

REI
REI

14 . Outerknown

Prices Starting At: $68-145

Description:

I didn’t want to leave the men out of this list! Outerknown has been a trailblazer in many ways, like being the first brand to be certified by the Fair Labor Association (FLA) without ever shipping a product and being the very first brand to launch swimwear made out of ECONYL. Plus, they work with Fair Trade USA to ensure that garment workers are paid fairly and work in safe conditions.

Outerknown
Outerknown

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