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Best sustainable swimwear 2023 | 21 brands to shop now

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Looking for sustainable swimwear for a summer in the UK or a long-awaited getaway somewhere tropical? You've come to the right place. Printing Patterns On Fabric

Best sustainable swimwear 2023 | 21 brands to shop now

Swimwear isn't always in the good books when it comes to sustainability. Most swimsuits and bikinis tend to be made from synthetic plastic-based materials – such as nylon and polyester – as these fabrics are inexpensive, wick away moisture and have good stretch. However, this means that more energy and water are used to produce them as well as petrochemicals – chemicals derived from petroleum that has a large carbon footprint.

A lot of the unsustainable swimwear out there has also only been made to fulfil a short-lived trend and then to be replaced with the next best thing so that once your beach fave has been worn a few times and can no longer do its job, it will invariably end up in a landfill. Far from planet-friendly!

What can you do about it? Well, that's where sustainable swimwear comes in. With all the bleak news circulating these days, it is easy to feel that your actions as an individual won't make much of a difference. But while it's important for bigger companies to take responsibility, the little things you do can make an impact.

Niamh O'Laoighre, Product Development Manager at Finisterre, has witnessed this in the industry; "I used to go to trade fairs, and I would need to ask to see the sustainable and recycled fabrics, and they would wheel out a little selection. Over the years, that's really changed, and it's become the norm (to have many recycled fabrics.) But that's only because people are demanding it."

These days, a whole host of swimwear brands are stepping up and challenging the status quo with sustainably sourced, ethically made swimwear that's good for you and good for the planet. So, the next time you need a new swimming pool partner-in-crime, why not go the green route? Plus, you need only scroll through the selection below to see that the sustainable option doesn't have to mean lacking in style or quality.

Here's the WH edit of the sustainable swimwear brands you need to know about.

Gabrielle Union just shared some snaps in this stunner, and after we finished asking ourselves how she looks so damn good all the time (hint: she loves herself a Pilates workout), we then started wondering how we could get this yellow two-piece for ourselves.

Good news. It's from the British brand Hunza G, is still in stock and is sustainable. Each piece is made in the UK which means that the carbon-neutral company has a smaller carbon footprint and commercial output. The one-size-fits-most system prevents one size from being over purchased, and any fabric scraps left over from production are used to make colourful scrunchies. First Rosie and now Gabrielle? We can't...

You probably know Faithfull the Brand for its flowy fits and dreamy prints worthy of an Italian seaside holiday. But its sustainability is worth a mention too. Each gorgeous item is handmade in Bali, where the company originates, supporting the local economy and population. Materials are chosen to reduce their environmental impact, and each part of the supply chain is transparent. As for their stunning swim pieces? They're made using ECONYL® and REPREVE®. Dreamy, indeed.

Finisterre is B Corp certified, which means it passes the highest social and environmental standards. Their sustainable swimwear sets out to inspire a love of the ocean without negatively impacting it and is made from either recycled materials or Yulex® natural rubber for added warmth. But that's not all. All the packaging, from the tag to the bag your cute swimsuit comes in, is sustainable.

While it may not be on show, swimwear lining requires half the amount of the total fabric needed to make those beach-frequenting pieces we all love, fabric that is often forgotten about in the journey to becoming more sustainable. Not so for Peony. The family-run business makes all of its swim pieces from recycled and sustainable fabrics, and this includes the linings and all those pretty prints and fun textures that make sporting one of their sets such a treat.

One of the first brands to use ECONYL®, FISCH has been sustainable from the get-go. Each piece of swimwear is made from the regenerated fibre and handmade in Italy to reduce the company's carbon footprint. Inspired by many a day spent snorkelling in St Barts, the brand's original goal was to provide stylish swimwear that also made use of the waste littering the ocean. Something we think they've done swimmingly.

Each piece of swimwear from Mara Hoffman has been made from either recycled nylon or recycled polyester, but the true glory is in the numbers. Since 2017, the use of ECONYL® in their swimsuits and bikinis has diverted more than 8000kg of waste from landfills, 2000kg of which came from fishing nets. Go on, enjoy your new paisley printed two-piece. You know you want to.

Every part of EVARAE's design process is transparent, from the materials used to the production. And all of their swimwear is made through a family-run business in Italy using ECONYL®: a material that can be recycled indefinitely and is produced from regenerated plastic waste found in oceans and landfills. Coming in classic belted styles or soft romantic sets, you'll have little trouble finding a piece to enjoy the sunshine in.

What started as a sustainable gender and size-inclusive underwear company is now a company with a range of underwear, swimwear and clothing that allows you to be you, with no exceptions or apologies. Founded by two females who identify as LGBTQ, their goal is to make the work environment a place where employees are valued and diversity is championed. The B Corp certified company uses recycled materials when making their swim pieces. These are then packaged in biodegradable bags before being sent off to brighten someone's day.

When founder Amahlia Stevens first tried to produce swimwear from recycled materials, suppliers told her that there was no market for it. This led to her designing her own fabric, EcoLux™ - the first premium swimwear fabric made from recycled nylon fibres. Since then, the brand has incorporated other sustainable fabrics into its swim and continues to strive for further sustainability and ethicality, whether in its factories or through its distribution, packaging and partners.

Form & Fold makes 78% of each piece of swimwear from recycled Italian material that comes from waste that would have otherwise ended up in a landfill or the ocean. But as a D+ female-founded brand, Form and Fold is not only set on protecting the oceans. It also aims to empower women by helping those who have struggled to find a good fit for years feel more confident at the beach. Form-fitting, functional and environmentally friendly in a stunning bikini suitable for bigger busts? It's a yes from us.

At Wolven, the team is all about sustainability, diversity, body positivity and creativity, with each piece starting as art on a canvas. Their swimwear is made from the breaking down and recycling of discarded plastics and comes packaged in either a 100% recycled poly mailer or a bio-degradable paper box. All the pieces are ethically made together with partners that uphold the correct standards for wages, health, safety and working hours, and the team works with Climate Neutral to offset their carbon emissions.

Psst, they do great yoga leggings too.

Masarà, which in the Milanese dialect means 'soaking wet,' was dreamt up while founder Francesca Fabris was on holiday. Dismayed by the amount of plastic she saw washing up on the beach, she decided to do a bit of a beach cleanup - but then take it one step further by starting this brand. Masarà aims to remove plastic from every step of the business - even their labels are made from algae.

Is it just us, or is every item from Agua by Agua Bendita a masterpiece?

Founded in Columbia, the brand seeks to respect the very thing that inspires each piece: nature.

All ready-to-wear items are made from natural fibres and use digital printing techniques to reduce the environmental impact and save water.

Swimwear is produced from recycled PET plastic bottles and dyed with inks that are safe for both the environment and employees.

Kiwi ruffled floral-print bikini top, £136; Jengibre recycled-fibre high-rise bikini briefs, £120.

Narah Soleigh is a fully independent, self-funded slow fashion brand that produces garments in small factories in Northern Portugal with ethical working conditions.

ECONYL® is once again the hero behind its sustainable swimwear, but other recycled materials also play a part, and factory solar panels power the production process.

Oh, and did we mention any leftovers go into cute scrunchies to keep your hair in line?

We were sold at the sight of this gorgeous blue bikini.

Mila bikini top, £63;Lola bikini bottom, £46.

Casa Raki is a small, independent brand championing sustainability. Pieces are designed in London and made in an ethical, women-owned factory in Portugal using either ECONYL® or recycled castor bean fabric, even in the making of labels and linings. The swimwear is simple yet beautiful so that you'll be able to wear it for many a summer to come.

Looking for stunning summer staples that don't skimp on sustainability and ethics? Look no further than Aussie brand BONDI BORN.

Thanks to the use of sustainably certified fabrics, plastic-free packaging, low levels of water and energy usage, local production and its sound code of conduct, the company is B Corp certified.

Plus, the brand chose its swimwear fabric based on its low carbon footprint and high quality to ensure the one-pieces and two-pieces we come to love will last.

We love us a London brand doing good.

Stay Wild has a small local factory where bright numbers such as this sunshine yellow bikini are produced using ECONYL® or, in the case of clothing, using other sustainable fabrics.

With a zero-waste policy for production processes, biodegradable and eco-friendly packaging and carbon-neutral shipping, your swimwear is in great hands.

Meet Reina Olga, one of the sexiest, coolest swimwear labels around. Not only do they make gorgeous classics, but they also drop popular pattern clash styles that sell like hotcakes. 70% of the brand's fabrics are made from recycled techno-fabric, ECONYL®, and their packaging is completely biodegradable and recyclable. Plus, their crinkle fabric suits are all hand-sewn in Italy. This is one holiday splurge you won't regret.

When we discovered a wild swimming enthusiast was behind the sustainable British brand Davy J, we had a feeling we could rely on it for pieces that looked great but still supported us on our outdoor adventures.

We weren't wrong. With swimsuits made from ECONYL® and watersuits - the brand's take on wetsuits - made from a 1mm thick bonded recycled fabric you can pick a suit to meet your needs.

As for this red number? Wait 'til you see the back.

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Women's Health, Part of the Hearst UK Wellbeing Network

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Best sustainable swimwear 2023 | 21 brands to shop now

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