Beyond Recycled Plastic: Sustainable Swimwear You'll Actually Wear
I don't wanna wear discarded soda bottles 🐢
I swam with the turtles in Hawaii last summer. I think of myself as a hardened, unsentimental person… but wow! For someone not interested in snorkeling (I don’t think fish, or turtles, want to be perceived) it was a sacred experience that made me weep. I don’t recommend weeping or snorkeling when you’re dehydrated at sea, but what could I do? It was a trip requested by a family member whose cancer is in remission.
The experience changed me. I no longer secretly mourn plastic straws. I found reef-safe sunscreen, and now we’re hunting… for plastic-free swimwear. Before I forget, an update on my previous letter on sunscreens.
The Solara sunscreen I sent Adrian the Sunscreen Tester turned out to be fine, but not great, at blocking UV rays. So Adrian provided his rec for a reef-safe, petroleum-free, mineral body sunscreen that’s easy to apply. Most importantly, it actually blocks UV rays, as tested with his machine.
At first there was a white cast, which made me nervous, but it easily and completely blends in like magic. This summer I’ll be wearing this $30 SPF50 sunscreen (Thrive, Amazon). It includes pine rosin instead of plasticizers for water resistance!
Though I’m diligent about facial sunscreen, I cheap out and get lazy on body sunscreen at the beach, since mineral versions are often too thick to spread or leave a white cast 🫣 Not this year! My leathery forearms will finally get some love!
It’s not easy finding low-plastic swimwear, since 99% of “sustainable” swimwear brands use recycled plastic. This material actually leaches more microplastics than virgin plastic, and contains toxic chemicals that aren’t considered safe for direct skin contact. Not great for ocean life either. So it’s puzzling when “eco-friendly” brands are like, “we took old plastic bottles that were choking the turtles and melted them to weave you a bikini.”
Natural fiber swimwear is a whole vibe. Less shiny, it looks “wet” in a way that plastic swimwear doesn’t. My point is, people will probably notice that you’re kind of a hippie, even though most natural fiber swimsuits still have some elastane or spandex for stretch.
So in addition to mostly natural fiber swimsuits, I’ve gathered a few semi-synthetic swimsuits and trunks made from innovative, plant-based fiber technologies. It’ll mimic that nylon swimsuit look and feel, if that’s what you like.
While the brands below the paywall are not as $$$ as luxury designer swimwear, they do cost more than fast fashion. Depending on your budget and how often you swim, it might make more sense for you to wear the swimsuit you already own. Try not to lounge in it all day long though, change into your cotton underwear or whatever after to minimize exposure.
But if you spend a lot of time in the water or sauna… a low-plastic swimsuit might be a worthwhile investment.
Based on reader feedback requesting more European options, I've made a special effort to include brands that ship to or are available in Europe.
Here’s a little taste of what’s below the paywall:
Piuma’s one-piece ($50) for girls 3-10 years of age is adorable. They also have tankinis and bikinis!
I first spotted Piuma on the cool Italian stylist (and friend!) Maria Serena’s Instagram Story.
Piuma’s 95% cotton one-piece or bikini would be ideal for an outdoorsy day where water’s involved. A cool dip after a hike? I hate sweating in a swimsuit all day just to get in the water for 30 minutes, since synthetics can feel heavy and plasticky on the crotch.
The most affordable low-plastic swimsuit I found is this organic cotton one-piece ($34) from Etsy that comes in three colors. 95% organic cotton, 5% Lycra.
The one I’m seriously considering is this hemp bikini from Etsy ($150). If they don’t have your size, you can custom order your size for an extra $15.
I like that it’s double-lined for more coverage, and the tie-dye makes it feel less underwear-y.
“Two layers with the outer layer composed of 53% hemp, 43% organic cotton and 4% lycra and the inner layer is made with unbleached natural colored fabric that is 53% hemp, 44% organic cotton and 3% lycra.”
J. Crew seersucker swim trunks on sale for $52, with blue, white, and green stripes. 67% cotton and 33% nylon. Mostly natural fibers!
The Industry of All Nations board shorts ($115) are 100% cotton with a hot wax resist batik print. They’re cool yet approachable, no?
🏝️ Little Ones
Pure Earth Collection’s organic cotton “swimming nappies” for babies 0-2, swimming costumes for girls, and swimming trunks for boys 2-13. Ships from the UK.
How fun is this Little Green Radicals “toweling dress”? If your kid’s gonna wear a nylon swimsuit all day, it’s a cute way to reduce the time spent in a swimsuit. 1-8 years.
100% Indian cotton kid’s swim shorts in sizes 2, 4, 6, 8. Currently on sale for €20 in two patterns.
👙 Bikinis and One-pieces 🩱
This Italian Agave Bikini ships within the EU! 90% organic cotton, 10% elastane.
Pure Earth Collection also has women’s one-pieces and bikinis. 98% cotton, only 2% Lycra.
Andiata’s Pyratex one-piece ($190) is only 11% elastane and looks like a “real” swimsuit. They ship from Finland. (Remember Pyratex from Mara Hoffman’s plastic-free swimwear collab with One&Only? RIP.)
Away That Day has a Pyratex collection as well, like this black and white one-piece. It’s only available in XL-3XL.
The bikini top (£125.00) and bottom are still available in XS-2XL though!
I adore this Hara x YouSwim bamboo viscose set, which feels like a more affordable, granola version of Hunza G. This is what I would want if they had it in my size. Alas, there’s one left for a lucky size XL-3XL.
YouSwim, the Aussie brand, also has an olive green set that’s beautiful and also viscose, but without the scrunchy texture.
Natasha Tonic’s swimwear is a hemp-cotton blend with 4% Lycra. Made in LA, so cute! Imagine wearing this one piece ($168) while canoeing in Maine. And the removable belt! It comes in four colorways and every one is a winner.
Or the yin and yang collection for Jacob Riis beach.
MASA the chip company also made this 100% cotton bikini, and it actually has a lot of positive reviews! Comes in black, pink, and blue.
Swimm suit ($190) is 96% merino wool and 4% PFAS-free nylon. Dunno about the beach, but there are glowing reviews for use in saunas and hot tubs. If you get the two-piece, the top could be worn as a sports bra, the bottoms when skiing? Free shipping worldwide from Australia.
Ozma makes really chic raw silk shirts, and this chic tencel bodysuit doubles as a swimsuit. On sale right now for $98.
Hello Beautiful’s micro bikini is one size(!) and 100% cotton. ($95)
🩳 Swim Shorts
J. Crew swim trunks ($80) that are 57% cotton and 43% recycled polyamide.
Bougie woolen swim trunks from Vilebrequin x The Woolmark Company. $280 but such a chic cut. A man on Reddit said he cut out the synthetic lining inside.
