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Are there any affordable & sustainable swimwear options?
Sustainable swimsuits that are also affordable can be hard to find.
Honestly, there are many fantastic options, but not everyone has a budget of $200 for a cool pair of sustainable swimwear.
That’s why I decided to make a list with fantastic sustainable swimwear that’s also affordable.
I’ll also tell you what to look for when choosing sustainable swimwear.
Keep reading to find more about:
- What is sustainable swimwear made of?
- What to look for when choosing sustainable swimwear?
- 15 affordable & sustainable swimwear options
(+ a quick list with 18 more options!)
What is sustainable swimwear made of?
Most conventional swimsuits are made from synthetic materials.
On the other hand, eco-friendly swimwear is usually made in smaller batches, with low impact materials, like organic, biodegradable, or recycled fabrics.
They are created in ethical factories, with safe working conditions and fair wages.
Eco-friendly swimwear brands also pack the products sustainably in plastic-free packaging.
They consider all stages of manufacturing and try to reuse materials and reduce waste as much as possible.
What to look for when choosing sustainable swimwear?
- The materials: Are sourced ethically and are organic, biodegradable, or recycled.
- The quality: Long-lasting swimwear is key – when swimsuits are high-quality, you won’t have to buy new ones over and over again.
- The company: Is transparent and shares more information about their manufacturing processes, the location of their factories, how they source their fabrics, etc.
- The manufacturing: The production is sustainable and made in small batches, so if there is unsold stock, it won’t be disposed of, destroyed, and hard to deal with.
- The factories: Must be evaluated by third-party to ensure that certain conditions are met, like fair wages, reasonable hours, safe work environment, sustainable practices, etc.
- Certifications: Such as OEKO-TEX®, which ensures that textiles were tested for harmful substances.
- Donation: It isn’t a must, but it is a good sign if a company donates a portion of its profits to environmental or social organizations/causes.
You can easily find all of this information by browsing on the website of the brand you’ve chosen.
15+ affordable & sustainable swimwear options
THE US:
1. Aerie Swimsuits
Shipping: the US
Made in: unknown
Materials: 80% Recycled nylon, 20% Elastane
Price: $29 per piece. $59 for a one-piece.
Ethics: fast fashion brand with more sustainable collection, using recycled materials
Aerie is a sub-brand owned by American Eagle Outfitters. American Eagle Outfitters is a fast-fashion brand.
I can’t say I recommend them since fast fashion brands have A LOT of disadvantages, which can be devastating for the environment.
With that said, I also understand that not everyone has $100+ for a pair of sustainable swimsuits.
Aerie’s is selling very affordable swimsuits made from 80% recycled nylon, saving leftover fiber scraps and creating something new.
So, at least Arie has some more sustainable pieces (even though their manufacturing processes as a whole can’t be sustainable, as a fast-fashion brand).
2. Meundies swimsuits
Shipping: Worldwide
Made in: Turkey and Sri Lanka
Materials: 78% Recycled Polyamide, 22% Elastane
Price: $30 – $48 per piece. $60 – $78 for a one-piece. For males: $50 – $62
Ethics: Fairtrade, ethically sourced fabrics
The Meundies swimsuits offer are super comfy and incredible support.
They are made from recycled nylon fabric and old fishing nets, which are ethically sourced.
Meundies have swimsuits for both males and females for affordable prices.
The brand offers a terrific membership deal that saves you up to $30 for each order.
You can also skip or cancel the membership anytime you want!
3. Girlfriend Swimsuits
Shipping: the US and Australia (available worldwide via nordstrom.com)
Made in: Taiwan & Vietnam
Materials: 82% ECONYL® regenerated nylon, 18% elastane
Price: $38 – $48 per piece. $78 for a one-piece.
Ethics: recyclable packaging, Standard 100 by Oeko-Tex, SA8000 certified for fair working conditions, eco-friendly dyes, size-inclusive
Girlfriend swimsuits are made from recycled fishing nets and post-industrial waste recovered from the ocean.
What I liked about Girlfriend is that they show for each product a Sustainability report.
It shows how much oil, CO2, and energy were reduced using recycled materials to make the swimsuit.
I love the ethics of the brand – they try to be as transparent as possible, sharing information and proof on their sustainable practices.
Plus, the brand gives back 1% to Healthy Seas.
4. Kitty and Vibe
Shipping: the US
Made in: Bogota, Colombia
Materials: 84% Polyamide Nylon, 16% Elastane | Lining – 78% Polyamide, 22% Lycra
Price: $42 – $58 per piece. $95 for a one-piece.
Ethics: ethical labor, recycled packaging, ISO 14001 certification, sustainable fabrics
Kitty and Vibe’s swimwear is secure, comfortable, and designed to fit anybody.
Their revolutionary sizing system will help match a bikini bottom that will fit perfectly and won’t be too saggy or tight.
Almost half of our swimwear line is made using sustainable fabric with 82% recycled poly.
The swimsuits are also shipped in 100% biodegradable bags.
They are ISO 14001 certified, which is a standard that sets out the requirements for an environmental management system.
It helps organizations improve their environmental performance through more efficient use of resources and reduction of waste.
Last but not least, their factory workers are paid above minimum wage and provided various benefits.
5. Everlane swimsuits
Shipping: Worldwide
Made in: Made in Kandy, Sri Lanka
Materials: 82% ECONYL® Regenerated Nylon, 18% Elastane
Price: $30 – $40 per piece. $65 for one-pieces.
Ethics: ethical supply chain, no new plastic, bluesign certified, OEKO-TEX® certified
Everlane is a San Francisco-based clothing brand.
Everlane swimsuits comprise 82% regenerated nylon derived from recycled plastic, which comes from fishing nets, textile scraps, excess material from production lines, and worn carpets.
Their swim collection is made from 13,768 pounds of recycled plastic!
The fabric has quick-drying and fade-resistant properties, which makes it versatile enough for every summer activity.
Everlane fit-tested their swimsuits on 112 different women to ensure that they all feel comfortable, look flattering on the body, and stays in place.
To read about their certifications and sustainability goals, click here.
6. Wear Lively
Shipping: the US
Made in: unknown
Materials: 80% Recycled Nylon, 20% Spandex
Price: $45 per piece. $65 for a one-piece.
Ethics: recycled fabrics
Wear Lively is having a sustainable collection with affordable swimsuits. They are made of 80% recycled nylon and are super smooth.
Even though I’m always 100% high waste, certain people prefer low waste ones.
So, if you are one of them, you will love that each of the designs has both a high waist and low waist option.
They also sell bundles (top & bottom), which will save you a couple of bucks.
7. Fair Harbor Swimwear (Male)
Shipping: Worldwide
Made in: the US, China, Peru, and Pakistan
Materials: 88% Recycled Plastic Bottles, 12% Spandex
Price: $64 – $88
Ethics: Minimizing environmental impacts, worker’s safety & fair wages, sustainably sourced fabrics
Fair Harbor Swimwear provides fantastic airy yet supportive swim shorts made from nearly 90% upcycled plastic bottles.
The shorts are super soft, stretchy, and quick-drying.
The brand works with specialists to source plastic bottles from around the globe and convert them into high-quality, sustainable recycled polyester fabric.
So far, the company has removed 7,607,512 plastic bottles from the ocean!
Their overseas partners prioritize quality, workers’ safety, fair wages, and a commitment to decreasing environmental impacts.
THE UK / International:
8. We Are We Wear
Shipping: the UK & Worldwide
Made in: China and Turkey.
Based in: the UK
Materials: 87% Recycled Polyester, 22% Elastane, Lining: 88% polyester, 12% Elastane
Price: €18 – €37 per piece. €47 for a one-piece.
Ethics: recycled and sustainable fabrics, safe working conditions, and living wages for workers
We Are We Wear has an eco collection made from Italian fabrics and unwanted waste materials such as fishing nets, industrial plastics, and fabric scraps.
While the company isn’t 100% sustainable, its goal is to be by 2023.
Their shipping bags are produced in the UK, and even though they claim they are 100% recyclable – they are plastic, which I consider a downside.
9. Stay Wild Swim
Delivery: Worldwide
Made in: the UK
Materials: ECONYL®
Price: £50 – £70 per piece
Ethics: sustainable techno-fiber, small local factory & production, Sedex member, SMETA certified, zero waste approach to garment production, energy-saving motors on all equipment, founder of The Circularity Project
Stay Wild Swim is a UK brand that makes swimsuits with ECONYL®, which is sourced from Italy.
The fabric is created from waste such as fishing nets pulled from the ocean and fabric scraps leftover from the industry.
Using a revolutionary regeneration process, the nylon is brought back to its original purity. Then, it is used to produce new products.
Their small production factory has a zero waste approach to garment production and collaborates only with ethical suppliers.
They ship their products in eco-friendly and biodegradable packaging, too.
10. Vivida Lifestyle
Shipping: Worldwide
Made in: Designed in the UK. Made in China.
Materials: 80% Recycled Polyester 20% Elastane
Price: £39 – £59. One-pieces from £99
Ethics: eco-friendly ways of developing and manufacturing products, compostable packaging, Global Recycled Standard and Control Union Certified, bluesign certified, OEKO-TEX® certified
Vivida Lifestyle swimsuits are made from sustainable fabric that’s made from recycled plastic bottles.
The fabric retains flexibility and remains super supportive. Most of their designs are reversible, and they dry out quickly.
Most of their sustainable swimsuits are reversible and significant for water sport, too.
Vivda Lifestyle swimsuits are:
- Global Recycled Standard Certified
- Control Union Certified
The packaging in which they ship the products is industrially compostable and 100% plant-based.
Europe:
11. The Nude Label
Shipping: International shipping available
Made in: Spain
Materials: 80% Recycled Polyamide, 20% Elastane
Price: €30 – €61 per piece. €95 for a one-piece.
Ethics: safe working environment, sustainable fabrics, a reforestation project
The Nude Label is committed to reducing its waste and create sustainable, long-lasting products with recycled or recyclable materials.
Their swimsuits are super supportive, breathable, and quick-drying.
They are also made locally and ethically with recycled polyamide.
The company’s goal is to reduce its carbon footprint further by switching to alternative renewable energy solutions.
12. Lilja The Label
Shipping: Worldwide
Made in: Bali, Indonesia
Based in: Finland
Materials: REPREVE®, ECONYL®, RPET
Price: €38 – €46 per piece. From €80 for a one-piece. The sale items are €25.
Ethics: Ethically handmade, recycled fibers, biodegradable packaging
Lilja The Label is a Finnish brand that produces ethically handmade swimsuits, surfwear, and activewear.
Their swimsuits are made in handpicked factories in Indonesia.
The brand uses the following materials:
- REPREVE® & RPET – from recycled plastic bottles
- ECONYL® – plastic waste from the ocean
While they know they aren’t perfect, the brand has excellent sustainability goals that you can check out here.
13. Aya The Label
Shipping: Worldwide
Made in: Instanbul
Based in: The Nederlands
Materials: Soft Italian econyl® fabric
Price: €45 – €48 per piece. €88 for one-piece
Ethics: Sustainable regenerated fabrics, recycled paper shipping packaging, fair working conditions and wages for workers
Aya The Label is a brand that has a great selection of swimsuit tops and bottoms that you can mix-match.
Their models are very flattering and feminine. The swimwear is made of 78% recycled old fishing nets.
AYA Label also donates a percentage of its profit towards environmental organizations that protect the oceans. (not too much info on that, so I have to look further into it)
14. Nu-in swimsuits
Shipping: Worldwide
Made in: Turkey, ships from Portugal
Materials: 100% Recycled Polyamide
Price: €45 per piece, €90 for one-pieces
Ethics: sustainable manufacturing, organic or recycled materials, safe working conditions, fair wages, plastic-free packaging
While Nu-in’s swimsuit collection is small, they use only sustainable materials and practices while offering affordable swimsuits.
The swimsuits are made of 100% recycled polyamide. All of our items are stored, then picked, and packed from Portugal.
The product comes in responsibly sourced cardboard from a mix of both recycled and virgin fibers.
15. All Sisters
Shipping: International
Made in: Portugal
Materials: 78% recycled polyamide, 22% elastan
Price: €45 per piece.
Ethics: eco-friendly materials, locally produced, designed to last, OEKO-TEX® certified
All designs are made in Portugal, with ECONYL® – 100% regenerated polyamide fiber from pre-and post-consumer waste.
The fabrics are from Italy and are certified by Global Recycle Standard and OEKO-Tex Standard 100:
The certifications guarantee that the fabrics are:
- Tested for harmful substance
- Made in environmentally friendly facilities with socially responsible workplaces
The fabric is lightweight, soft, and comfortable while being durable and resilient, too. The designs are very feminine and minimalistic, created to complement your best attributes.
None of these caught your eye?
Then check this quick list with 18 more affordable & ethical swimsuits that I found:
- Magda Kine Designs – Made in California. Reversible designs. International shipping available. Price from $40.
- Hack With Design House – Made in the US with imported materials. Ships in the US & internationally. Price from $43 – $53 per piece.
- Summer Salt – Made across Asia. Ships to the US, Canada & Australia. Price from $45 – $65.
- Saturday Swimwear – Made in the US. Ships in the US and Canada. From $55 – $62 per piece.
- Wolven Threads – Made in China. Ships in the US & internationally. Price from $62. Reversible designs.
- Laca USA Swim – Made in Los Angeles. Ships in the US & worldwide. From $60 per piece.
- Ookioh Swimsuits – Ships in the US, from $50 per piece.
- Prana Swimsuits – Ships in the US (international delivery limited). From $45 – $55 per piece.
- Outerknown (for men) – Based in the US. Made in Peru, China, Portugal, US, Mexico, Vietnam, Sri Lanka. Ships internationally. From $98.
- Ema and May – Made in Canada. International shipping available. $54 – $72 per piece.
- The Salt Water Collective – Made in Canada. Ships worldwide. From $65 per piece.
- Salome Swim – Made in the Dominican Republic. Ships to the US, Canada, the Dominican Republic. $55 – $75 per piece.
- Batoko Swim – Based in the UK, made in China. £50 for their one-piece swimsuits.
- Indigo Luna – Based in Australia, made in Bali. International shipping. From $60.
- Bimby and Roy – Designed in Australia. Manufactured in Fiji islands. International shipping available. Prices from $30 – $45 per piece.
- Underprotection – Based in Copenhagen, Denmark. Made in China. European & worldwide shipping. Prices from €50 – €55.
- Julienne Swim – Made in Portugal. Ships worldwide. From €62 per piece.
- UND Swimwear – Made in Italy. Ships worldwide. From €65 – €75 a piece.
Did I miss a cool affordable & sustainable swimwear? Leave a comment below!
