The Sustainable Swimwear Guide
Your sustainable swimwear guide for summer is here! I know words like 'sustainable', 'eco’, 'green' and 'conscious' are being thrown around everywhere – and not always with transparency – which can make shopping confusing. ‘When brands say ‘sustainable’, sometimes they’re ONLY referring to the fabrics they use, not necessarily to the production methods or packaging they employ. Ideally, we should be looking for brands that are as sustainable as possible in every facet of their work – and who are also ethical when it comes to workers’ rights too. I've written this guide to help you find what you're looking for this summer: responsible swimwear. I've personally tested all the brands mentioned in the pool and surf.
Note: This is not an ad, these are just brands I genuinely wear, love, and support. And remember, if the swimsuit you already own fits you, do you really need a new one just yet? Try to enjoy what you’ve got, now that’s sustainability.
1. Batoko
Batoko are rubbish. Literally. They are a British, environmentally responsible and ethical swimwear brand making swimsuits from recycled ocean plastic. Their costumes were recently ripped off by Primark (who don’t use recycled fabrics or disclose whether they pay a living wage), so please support people and the planet and buy from Batoko instead.
Batoko suits are £50.
✓ sustainable ✓ ethical ✓ UK based
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Don’t worry about sounding professional. Sound like you. There are over 1.5 billion websites out there, but your story is what’s going to separate this one from the rest. If you read the words back and don’t hear your own voice in your head, that’s a good sign you still have more work to do.
Be clear, be confident and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve and your site can evolve with it. Your goal should be to make it feel right for right now. Later will take care of itself. It always does.
2. Stay Wild Swim
Stay Wild are a premium swimwear brand whose costumes are made from regenerated ocean plastic. The founders, Natalie Glaze and Zanna Van Dijk, are advocates of conscious consumption and encourage our customers to buy less and buy better. They also use "open casting calls" to find their models and use an inclusive variety of women’s body shapes and ages. Their costumes are manufactured in London.
Stay Wild suits start at £140.
✓ sustainable ✓ ethical ✓ UK based ✓ woman-owned business
3. Sand & Palm
Sand & Palm swimwear are individually handmade in their studio in Cornwall. Made with lycra from regenerated ghost fishing nets and post-consumer plastic waste, the pieces are hand-dyed and screen-printed in house in small batches with eco-friendly dyes. Because they are individually made, every piece is unique.
Sand & Palm suits start at £115. Use discount code SOPHIE15 for 15% off.
✓ sustainable ✓ ethical ✓ UK based ✓ woman-owned business
4. Finisterre
Finisterre makes sustainably-sourced swimwear from recycled yarn for women who love the sea. They are a certified B-Corp company, which simply put, means they are committed to prioritising the environment and society in the way they do business. The suits are designed to be fit-for-purpose so are great for surfing and sea swimming.
Finisterre suits are £110. They also have leggings and long-sleeved tops if you prefer to cover up. Use discount code SOPHIESWIM for 15% off.
✓ sustainable ✓ ethical ✓ UK based
5. Ocean Positive by Fourth Element
Fourth Element swimwear is made using recycled nylon from ghost fishing nets and other discarded waste. The recycled yarn is combined with LYCRA® XTRA LIFE™ to provide a long-lasting fit and resist degradation from chlorinated water, the heat, and sunscreen lotions up to 10 times longer than unprotected fabrics. I've been wearing my Gili suit for almost three years, and it still looks great. Their swimwear range is designed to excel in active performance, minimalist designs without clasps or ties mean they are perfect for wearing under a wetsuit. The costumes are made ethically at a small family run business in Mexico.
Ocean Positive suits start at £20.
✓ sustainable ✓ ethical ✓ UK based
6. Davy J
Davy J’s are a British sustainable swimwear brand with the tagline “made to survive a dive”. They use fabric made from 100% regenerated waste and are aiming at recycling their suits to create a closed-loop. The costumes are designed to last longer, fighting the trend of throwaway fashion, and are double-lined with hidden rubber edging so that they don't budge when body-surfing and swimming.
Davy J suits start at £140 but currently have a sale on. Use discount code SOPHIELOVES for 10% off.
✓ sustainable ✓ ethical ✓ UK based ✓ woman-owned business
7. Deakin & Blue
Deakin and Blue is a women's swimwear brand on a mission to help women, whatever their shape or size, feel amazing in their swimwear. They offer every swimsuit and bikini in three distinct silhouettes based on body shape and bust size, from size 8-20 and cup size AA-HH. Founded by London-based female founder Rosie, the brand has been celebrated for its body positive approach as well as its sustainability credentials. All pieces are made from regenerated post-consumer and ocean waste, and all pieces are made responsibly in East London where Rosie knows the seamstresses by first name. Swimsuits are packed and dispatched by a family run business in Devon, in 100% recyclable packaging. The brand also offers a repair service on all items, and this year 10% of new collection profits are going directly to the NHS.
Deakin & Blue suits start at £70. Use discount code HELLYER for 15% off.
✓ sustainable ✓ ethical ✓ UK based ✓ woman-owned business
8. Bower
Bower is a luxury, ethical and sustainable British swimwear brand using fabrics made from recycled fishing nets. Their range is 100% vegan, and their quantities are limited to minimise dead stock. All components are sourced from factories within Europe that adhere to high standards of production and ensure safe and fair working environments for their employees.
Bower suits start at £135, but there is currently a sale on. Use discount code SOPHIE25 for 25% off.
✓ sustainable ✓ ethical ✓ UK based ✓ woman-owned business
9. Slo Active
Slo Active launched on Kickstarter last year. What makes them different is the 2mm ‘Yulex Pure’ they use to make their swimsuits. Yulex is a plant-based alternative to traditional petroleum-based neoprene (what wetsuits are made of). The raw material is tapped from natural rubber trees that are Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Certified by the Rainforest Alliance. For every piece bought, Slo Active donates to one of their ocean charity partners of your choice.
Slo Active suits start at £210. Use discount code SOPHIE15 for 15% off.
✓ sustainable ✓ ethical ✓ UK based ✓ woman-owned business
I hope you found this guide useful. Thank you for reading, caring and consuming responsibly. Sophie x
All photos copyrighted by the respective photographers and brands.