Stay Cool This Summer With These Sustainable Swimsuits

If you’ve ever wondered how those surfer girls and beach-volleyball aficionados effortlessly keep everything in place while performing extraordinary physical feats, they have a little help. Italian-made brand SLO Active is sustainable swim-meets-activewear with its use of Yulex, a plant-based alternative to neoprene, and recycled polyester for warmth and comfort. (Not to mention, with every purchase you donate to an ocean charity of your choice.)

As possibly the biggest Instagram-driven swim brand on the market, Frankies Bikinis was bound to embrace sustainability sooner or later. This floral, frilly two-piece is constructed entirely of recycled nylon and comes highly reviewed. Nonetheless, not all of Frankies’ pieces are eco-conscious, so make sure to select their sustainable collection when shopping.

If you’ve been seeking the perfect minimalist micro-bikini, look no further. Jade Swim easily outclasses its peers in terms of high-quality, well-structured swimwear created from recycled or regenerated fabrics. Also, all styles are cut locally and conscientiously produced to adhere to slow-fashion practices and packaged in biodegradable bags.

Very few brands can compete with Girlfriend Collective in terms of eco-transparency. The activewear brand includes a “sustainability” report with each piece and maintains that each swim piece is made from recycled fishing nets and other debris found in the ocean (one percent of each purchase also goes to Healthy Seas!). Also, in keeping with the brand’s ethos, their styles are designed with every body type in mind.

Did someone say silver-screen starlets sunning in Saint-Tropez? Meet: Londre, flattering your every curve with swimwear that might have been plucked straight from the catalogs of yesteryear and updated with the best of today’s technology. Each piece is timeless and size-inclusive, as well as ethically and sustainably made with compostable-recyclable packaging.

Speaking of retro-inspired separates, Galamaar goes above and beyond with mid-century-esque pageantry swimwear staples (with a modern twist!). Sexy and supportive, Galamaar is perfect for the bigger breasted among us, in a host of glorious patterns and colorways. The entire range is made from environmentally sound fabrics and produced in Los Angeles.

Comfy, secure, and sustainable? It has to be Youswim. The U.K.-based brand is known for its one-size-fits-all styles that range from U.S. 2-14 and are ethically woven, dyed, cut, and constructed in England. Select the coverage, texture, and color that suit you best, and be the envy of every stringy bikini on the beach.

Biodegradable bikinis that can be worn in the pool and at the party? We love when swimwear can double for, well, regular wear, and Bold Swim does it best with styles you’ll want to live in. Not only does Bold Swim release a small, curated collection only once a year, they also craft their suits from biodegradable fabric and recycle/donate any waste.

Vitamin A has long been one of the swim industry’s leaders and for good reason. Not only are their styles superior in function and form, but each collection showcases the brand’s sheer originality. Made in California, each suit is constructed from plant-based and recycled materials, and the brand also gives to organizations that protect the ocean — meaning you can feel similarly charitable every time you purchase.

Sun safe is sun smart, and Boden is leading the charge to protect your skin from anything the elements throw at it with a range of short- and long-sleeve rash tops, swim shorts, and unbelievably flattering full-pieces. Shop their recycled nylon range for the best-fitting suit of your life.

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Beatrice Hazlehurst is a New Zealand–born writer covering culture, entertainment, and lifestyle for multiple outlets. She nomadically traverses both coasts, but currently you can find her by the beach in Southern California.

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