It won't surprise you, but you can also choose your swimwear in a more eco-friendly way. Opt for better, certified or recycled materials and fairly produced swimwear and you'll dive into the water feeling much better. From bikini sets to trunks and swimming costumes, we have listed the cutest sustainable swimwear brands for you. But first, we tell you more about swimwear. Three, two, one... splash!
What can you look out for in eco-friendly swimwear?
When looking for sustainable swimwear, there are two things you can look out for: the material and the way it was produced. Both factors determine how eco-friendly your swimwear actually is. So dive in with us, we'll take you through it all and share a fine list of better shopping tips. Because that's how we roll (or dive, in this case).
Material of swimwear
Let's start with the material, as it directly affects the environment. Polyester, nylon and elastane, short of synthetic materials, are still the most suitable materials for swimwear despite their environmental impact. And that is why these materials (often in a mix) are still the most commonly used, even among the more sustainable swimwear brands. These materials hardly absorb any water, dry quickly and your swimwear remains well elastic. The downside? So they are synthetic fabrics made from petroleum, a process that involves (a lot of) CO2 emissions. Unfortunately, due to a lack of better, you therefore cannot escape wearing these materials when you go swimming. A swimming costume made of cotton doesn't seem like fun to us either. Blub, blub, blub.
Microplastics through swimwear?
With synthetic clothing, you also quickly think of the microplastics problem, but we have good news about that. Fortunately, the microplastics problem in swimwear is not so bad. In Wed says an expert in high-performance textile recycling: ‘Swimwear consists of long fibres, from which relatively few particles are released. Moreover, swimwear is washed at low temperatures. Maybe some fibres are released when you go down the slide, but that applies to all textiles.’ This corresponds to what we previously learned about fleece jumpers: fabrics that fluff easily release more microplastics than smooth fabrics. And swimming costumes are actually made of smooth fabric, which makes the fibres less likely to break down. Okay check, another worry less.
Swimwear made from recycled fabrics
Are there better materials than polyester and nylon? Yes, recycled plastic, such as Econyl, a nylon fabric made from old fishing nets and other waste plastic. But how sustainable this material really is still needs further research. A marine expert says in Trouw: ‘It takes an awful lot of energy to remove waste from the sea, ships burn masses of fuel to do so. The question is whether you recover that with the material yield from chemical recycling.’ A plastics expert adds: ‘The waste plastic is cracked with a strong acid under temperature increase, until the building blocks of the plastic remain. That is a very energy-intensive process.’ In short, Econyl is probably a better choice, but with a few caveats.
Fair swimwear
It rhymes, but it's serious business! Besides the material, the production method of your elegant swimwear is also important. Even if you wear a thong and a tiny triangle, someone has been slaving hard for that tiny piece of terry cloth. Fast fashion brands often have their swimwear produced cheaply in factories where working conditions, clean production and wages leave much to be desired. You may have seen images on TV of garment factories where people have to work in poor and unsafe conditions and where leftovers from production, such as textile dyes and other chemicals, are dumped straight into nature. If you choose fast swimwear, then you know the chances are that environmental pollution and (child) exploitation will drip off your swimwear. Do you want to be seen with that on the beach or poolside? Nah, we'd rather not. And so we went in search of better, sustainable swimwear brands.
Sustainable swimwear: there is a more durable choice for every taste and style. Whether you are looking for a bikini, a sporty swimming costume or something a bit more colourful or just fashion. The photo shows, among others, the sustainable swimwear brands Under Protection (black, left) and AVAA (black, top).The coloured rack is the swimwear collection of Utrecht-based sustainable fashion shop Sophie Stone.
List of great sustainable swimwear brands
In contrast, more sustainable swimwear brands focus on fair wages, safe working conditions and production in countries with stricter regulations, such as within Europe or at small workshops, often in Asia. Want to make a truly sustainable choice? Then pay attention not only to the material, but also to how and where the swimwear is made. Do some research! Or choose from this list. We have collected a nice list of swimwear brands for you. Most brands choose recycled synthetic fabrics. We've collected the cutest sustainable swimwear brands for you. Cue them!
- AAVA: colourful Spanish swimwear brand with stylish, sustainable bikinis and swimming costumes made from Econyl, you know: recycled ocean plastic we mentioned earlier.
- Adam Underwear: underwear brand from Amsterdam with a B Corp certification. Their collection also includes many men's swim shorts in cool, cheerful prints made from recycled plastic from Waste2wear.
- Anekdot: Berlin underwear, nightwear and swimwear brand that combines luxury and minimalism, with swimwear made from - you got it again - Econyl and leftover materials. The style? Simple yet elegant.
- Asket: Swedish menswear brand making timeless swim shorts from recycled ocean plastic, minimalism is their starting point, hence the small collection in simple colours.
- Augustine Amsterdam: this Dutch swimwear brand combines minimalist design with recycled nylon from old fishing nets, for flattering and ethically produced swimwear. Too cool are the coloured compartments and colour combinations. That will make you stand out along the poolside.
- AYA Label: this sustainable swimwear brand from the Netherlands makes stylish swimwear by Econyl and manufactures ethically in Istanbul and Bali. This swimwear brand has a large collection of colourful bikinis.
- Dedicated: combining creative prints, cosy colours and sustainable fabrics, this Swedish brand makes swimwear for men and women from good recycled polyester fabrics.
- Makara Wear: European-Balinese swimwear brand with stylish, minimalist swimwear made from Econyl and deadstock materials. The collection in one sentence: clean lines and striking designs. Most striking are the long-sleeved, zip-up swimming costumes and bikinis.
- TET. Responsible Wear: Dutch B Corp-certified swimwear brand making a small collection of stylish swimwear from recycled plastic, with fair manufacturing in Bali.
- Under Protection: Danish B Corp-certified swimwear brand fully committed to sustainability with swimwear made from Econyl and recycled polyester, fair production and initiatives such as a repair and return service. In a word: simple.
Via die Gioia the sustainable swimwear brand by Dutch designer Charlotte. She has a small collection of elegant swimwear made from recycled fabrics.
- Via di Gioia: Dutch swimwear brand with a small collection of very stylish and ethically produced swimwear from cup A to G, made from beautiful recycled fabrics. Production takes place in certified factories in Italy and Tunisia, in safe and good conditions. They plant a tree for every order through One Tree Planted. The style? Chic but sexy. All items are richly embroidered, something you almost never see in bikinis. Plus, they offer tops and bottoms in different fits, so you can choose the fit that suits you best. And: the back of all bikini tops is adjustable! So you can make them as tight or loose as you like, ideal for your perfect fit.
- Vitamin A: Californian swimwear brand with luxury swimwear of sustainable fabrics such as EcoLux (also a recycled nylon). Most production takes place in the US, with a focus on fair wages and eco-friendly processes. In addition, the brand donates part of its sales to ocean conservation through 1% for the Planet. The style? We spot many retro looks.
- Woodlike Ocean: German swimwear brand makes elegant, sporty swimwear from Econyl. Production takes place in a socially responsible family-run business in Turkey. In addition, the brand donates 1% of sales to Healthy Seas through 1% for the Planet. We describe the swimwear as stylish and sporty. But judge for yourself.
Your favourite sustainable swimwear brands?
With this list, you will have enough inspiration to make a more sustainable choice this swimming season. More sustainable materials, fair production and timeless designs that last for years, thankfully there are more and more swimwear brands paying attention to this. Do you have another great tip for sustainable swimwear? Let us know! We'll add to this list with love.
Sources: Allegiance.nl. Photo credits: main image (via Sophie Stone), others: Under Protection & AVAA (via Sophie Stone) (gallery 1) and Via di Gioia (gallery 2).
