Here is a number that is hard to ignore: the fashion industry produces roughly 92 million tons of textile waste annually, and swimwear is one of the worst offenders. Most conventional swimsuits are made from nylon and polyester derived from petroleum, take hundreds of years to decompose, and shed microplastics into the ocean every time you swim. If you love the ocean enough to spend your free time in it, it is worth asking what your swimsuit is doing to it.
What Makes Beachwear Sustainable?
Truly sustainable beachwear addresses multiple concerns: the materials used, the manufacturing process, the labor conditions, the longevity of the product, and its end-of-life destination. The best brands are transparent about all of these factors, not just the ones that make good marketing copy.
Look for swimwear made from recycled materials, particularly ECONYL (regenerated nylon made from fishing nets, fabric scraps, and industrial plastic) or repreve (recycled polyester made from plastic bottles). These materials perform identically to virgin nylon in terms of stretch, UV resistance, and chlorine tolerance, but they divert waste from landfills and oceans.
Brands Worth Knowing
Vitamin A
Based in California, Vitamin A has been at the forefront of sustainable swimwear since before it was trendy. Their signature EcoLux fabric is made from recycled nylon, and their designs strike the perfect balance between fashion-forward and timeless. The fits are consistently flattering across a range of body types, and the quality is exceptional: Many owners report that pieces from several years ago still look new. Their price point (most suits range from 90 to 180 dollars per piece) reflects the quality, and each piece is designed to last many seasons rather than one.
Patagonia Swim
Patagonia's swimwear might not be the most fashion-forward, but in terms of environmental credentials, they are nearly unmatched. All their swimwear uses recycled materials, and the company donates one percent of all sales to environmental organizations. Their board shorts and one-pieces are built for actual ocean use: surfing, swimming, paddling. If function matters as much as aesthetics, Patagonia is the choice.
Reformation
Reformation brings their signature vintage-inspired aesthetic to swimwear with ECONYL-based suits that manage to look both effortlessly cool and polished. Their sizing is inclusive, their prints are always interesting without being overwhelming, and they publish detailed environmental impact data for every product. The website tells you exactly how many pounds of CO2, gallons of water, and pounds of waste each purchase saves compared to conventional alternatives.
Summersalt
Summersalt launched with a data-driven approach: they analyzed over 1.5 million body measurements to create fits that work for real bodies. Their swimsuits are made from recycled materials and manufactured in ethical factories. The Sidestroke one-piece (their bestseller) has achieved almost cult status for its universally flattering asymmetric neckline and compression-without-squeezing fit. Prices are reasonable for sustainable swimwear, with most pieces between 75 and 115 dollars.
Outerknown
Co-founded by professional surfer Kelly Slater, Outerknown takes ocean conservation personally. Their swim collection uses ECONYL and Repreve fabrics, and the brand is Fair Trade certified, meaning the workers who make the clothes receive fair wages and work in safe conditions. The aesthetic leans toward surf culture: relaxed, functional, and designed by people who actually spend their lives in the water.
Beyond the Suit: Sustainable Beach Accessories
Your swimsuit is just one piece of the beach puzzle. Look for cover-ups made from organic cotton or linen, hats made from sustainably harvested straw or raffia, and sunglasses with recycled frames. Several companies now make beach towels from organic Turkish cotton that biodegrade naturally at end of life. Even your sunscreen matters: choose reef-safe formulas without oxybenzone and octinoxate, which have been shown to bleach coral reefs and disrupt marine ecosystems.
Making What You Have Last Longer
The most sustainable swimsuit is the one you already own. Extend the life of your existing pieces by rinsing them in cold fresh water immediately after every swim (salt and chlorine are the primary causes of elastic breakdown). Never put swimwear in the dryer. Hand wash with a gentle detergent rather than machine washing. And when your suit finally does wear out, check if the brand offers a take-back or recycling program before sending it to landfill.
Every purchase is a vote for the kind of world you want to live in. Choose brands that love the ocean as much as you do.