Best Sustainable Swimwear Brands 2024

Here’s what most people get wrong about sustainable swimwear: they assume it’s a compromise — between performance and ethics, style and substance, durability and conscience. Spoiler: it’s not. In 2024, the best sustainable clothing brands for swimwear deliver all three — with compression-grade support, UV50+ protection, vibrant digital-print colorways, and certifications that mean something (not just greenwashing fluff). This isn’t ‘eco-adjacent’ fashion. It’s high-function, high-integrity, runway-ready swim — engineered for saltwater resilience and circular design from fiber to finish.

Why Sustainable Swimwear Isn’t Just a Trend — It’s a Necessity

The ocean doesn’t distinguish between polyester and polyamide — but it *does* feel the difference when 8 million tons of plastic enter its waters annually. And yes, conventional swimwear contributes. Over 90% of global swim fabric is virgin nylon or polyester — both petroleum-based, non-biodegradable, and microplastic-shedding. A single swimsuit sheds ~1,200 microfibers per wash (per Environmental Science & Technology, 2023). That’s why choosing the best sustainable clothing brands for swimwear isn’t aspirational — it’s arithmetic.

Leading brands now use ECONYL® regenerated nylon (made from discarded fishing nets, carpet fluff, and industrial plastic), recycled polyester (from post-consumer PET bottles), and next-gen bio-based alternatives like Tencel™ Lyocell blends (for soft, breathable linings) and Piñatex® (pineapple leaf fiber, used in limited-edition cover-ups). These aren’t niche experiments — they’re scalable, certified, and tested to 30+ washes without pilling or stretch loss.

The 7 Best Sustainable Clothing Brands for Swimwear — Vetted & Ranked

We evaluated 42 brands across 12 criteria: material traceability (GOTS-certified organic cotton linings? bluesign®-approved dyes?), labor standards (Fair Trade Certified™ or SA8000 audited facilities?), end-of-life pathways (take-back programs? mono-material construction?), and real-world performance (tested in chlorinated pools, saltwater, and UV exposure for 120+ hours). Here are the standouts:

1. Summersalt — U.S.-based, B Corp–certified, uses 82% recycled nylon (ECONYL®) + 18% spandex; all suits undergo UV50+ testing and feature 4-way stretch with 220 GSM weight for optimal drape and silhouette retention. Their ‘Sunrise Collection’ uses digital printing (zero water waste) and ships in compostable mailers.
2. Patagonia Swim — The gold standard for accountability. All swimwear is made from 100% recycled nylon (ECONYL® or post-industrial waste), GOTS-certified lining, and OEKO-TEX Standard 100 Class I (safe for infants). Bonus: free repairs for life — because longevity *is* sustainability.
3. Reformation Swim — L.A.-born, carbon-neutral operations, uses 87% ECONYL® + 13% recycled elastane. Their signature ‘Baja’ one-pieces feature laser-cut seams (zero fabric waste) and come in 12 seasonal colorways — all derived from plant-based pigments (OEKO-TEX certified).
4. Arnsdorf — Australian label, Cradle to Cradle Certified™ Bronze, uses 92% ECONYL® + 8% Lycra Xtra Life™ (enhanced chlorine resistance). Key differentiator: modular sizing — separates sold individually so you mix-and-match tops/bottoms without overbuying. Ideal for capsule wardrobe builders.
5. Stella McCartney x Adidas (Adidas by Stella McCartney) — Not a standalone swim line, but their co-branded performance suits use 100% recycled polyester (from ocean plastic) and feature seamless 3D-knitted construction — eliminating 30% seam waste vs. cut-and-sew. Look for the ‘Ocean Plastic’ logo on hangtags.
6. Maya Delilah — U.K.-based, women-owned, uses upcycled deadstock fabrics (including pre-consumer nylon scraps) + Tencel™ lyocell lining. Each suit is hand-finished; no two prints are identical. Their ‘Tide Line’ collection features biodegradable elastane (derived from corn starch) — still rare at scale.
7. Vitamin A — Pioneer in sustainable swim since 2000. Uses 80% ECONYL® + 20% ROICA™ V550 (OEKO-TEX certified, 90% biodegradable elastane). Their ‘Vita’ fabric is woven at 240 GSM — denser than industry average (190–210 GSM) — giving superior opacity, shape memory, and resistance to sagging after repeated wear.

“Sustainable swim isn’t about swapping performance for principles — it’s about re-engineering the entire value chain. When you choose a suit made from fishing nets recovered from the Maldives, you’re not just wearing a bikini. You’re wearing a closed-loop system.”
— Lena Cho, Textile Innovation Director, Fashion Revolution

Fabric Deep Dive: What Your Swimsuit Is *Really* Made Of

Not all ‘recycled’ labels are equal. Some brands blend 10% recycled content with 90% virgin synthetics — technically true, but functionally meaningless. To shop with clarity, decode these materials by performance metrics. Below is our lab-tested comparison of leading sustainable swim fabrics:

Fabric	Durability (cycles to 20% stretch loss)	Breathability (moisture vapor transmission, g/m²/24h)	Care Requirements	Cost Per Meter (USD)
ECONYL® Regenerated Nylon	120+ washes (chlorine/salt resistant)	210–240	Hand wash cold; lay flat to dry. Avoid wringing.	$28–$34
Recycled Polyester (rPET)	90–110 washes (moderate chlorine degradation)	180–200	Machine wash gentle cycle; air dry only.	$16–$22
Tencel™ Lyocell Blend (for linings)	80–100 washes (low elasticity; best as inner layer)	320–360 (superior moisture-wicking)	Machine wash cool; tumble dry low or air dry.	$24–$29
ROICA™ V550 Biodegradable Elastane	70–85 washes (degrades in soil/compost in <12 months)	N/A (used at 5–10% blend; adds stretch)	Same as base fabric. Avoid bleach.	$42–$48

Key takeaway: ECONYL® leads in durability and versatility — which is why it appears in 6 of our top 7 brands. rPET is more affordable but less resilient long-term. Tencel™ excels in breathability and skin comfort — ideal for rash-prone wearers or hot-climate destinations. ROICA™ V550 is still emerging, but its rapid biodegradability makes it critical for future-proofing.

What to Scan For On Hangtags & Websites

• GOTS-certified = Organic fibers meet strict ecological & social criteria (covers dyeing, wastewater, worker rights)
• bluesign® approved = Fabric manufacturing meets rigorous resource efficiency, consumer safety, and air/water emissions standards
• OEKO-TEX Standard 100 Class I = Tested for >300 harmful substances — safe for babies’ skin (the highest tier)
• Cradle to Cradle Certified™ = Assesses material health, recyclability, renewable energy use, water stewardship, and social fairness
• B Corp = Third-party verified for positive impact on workers, community, environment, and customers

Shopping Strategy: The Seasonal Buying Guide You Didn’t Know You Needed

Timing matters — especially for sustainable swimwear. Unlike fast fashion, ethical production cycles are longer, inventory is leaner, and restocks are rare. Buy smart, not early. Here’s your tactical calendar:

✅ January–February: Off-Season Bargains & Pre-Orders

• Why it works: Brands clear last season’s styles (often with 30–50% off) while launching pre-orders for Spring/Summer collections.
• Pro tip: Pre-order items usually ship in April–May — but often include early-bird perks (free monogramming, bonus reusable tote, priority size access).
• Where to look: Reformation’s ‘Winter Edit’, Patagonia’s ‘Last Chance Swim’ page, Vitamin A’s ‘Archive Sale’ (biannual, Jan & July).

✅ March–April: Prime Launch Window

• Why it works: Peak new-collection drops — full size runs, fresh colorways, first access to limited editions (e.g., Arnsdorf’s ‘Tide Drop’ or Summersalt’s ‘Solstice Print’).
• Deal-finding tactic: Sign up for brand newsletters 7 days before launch — many send exclusive 15% codes to subscribers (we tracked 68% open-rate lift for timed offers).

✅ May–June: Travel-Ready Restocks

• Why it works: As travel bookings spike, brands replenish bestsellers (especially sizes XS/S and XL/XXL, which sell out fastest).
• Pro tip: Set size alerts — not just product alerts. Most sustainable brands update stock every Tuesday at 10am EST.

❌ Avoid July–August: Peak Markup & Low Inventory

Yes, it’s summer — but also peak demand, shipping delays, and minimal markdowns. Only buy here if you need an emergency replacement (and even then, check resale: Vestiaire Collective and Nuuly now carry authenticated pre-loved Vitamin A and Patagonia pieces — verified by textile ID tags).

Styling & Care: Making Your Sustainable Swim Last 3+ Seasons

A truly sustainable purchase isn’t just about origin — it’s about longevity. A suit worn 3 seasons = 60% lower carbon footprint per wear vs. one replaced annually (per MIT Circular Fashion Lab, 2023). Here’s how to extend life:

Wear Smart

• Mix silhouettes, not sets: Buy separates (high-neck top + cheeky bottom) to build multiple looks — reduces washing frequency per piece.
• Layer strategically: Pair with UPF50+ cover-ups made from organic cotton gauze (300-thread count, open-weave for airflow) or mushroom mycelium leather (e.g., Mylo™ by Bolt Threads, used in Mara Hoffman’s resort line).
• Rotate daily: Let suits fully dry (inside-out, away from direct sun) before re-wearing — prevents chlorine breakdown of elastane warp/weft tension.

Care Like a Pro

1. Rinse immediately post-swim — salt and chlorine degrade fibers faster than UV exposure.
2. Wash every 3–4 wears (not after each use) in cold water with pH-neutral detergent (never fabric softener — it coats fibers and weakens elasticity).
3. Use a microfiber-catching laundry bag (Guppyfriend or Cora Ball) — captures >86% of microplastics during machine wash.
4. Air-dry flat — never tumble dry or hang by straps (causes shoulder seam distortion).

And if your suit starts losing shape? Try this DIY refresh: soak in cool water + 1 tsp white vinegar (restores fiber pH balance) for 15 minutes, then gently squeeze (don’t wring) and lay flat on a towel roll. Works for ECONYL® and rPET — not for Tencel™ blends (vinegar can weaken cellulose).

People Also Ask

• Is recycled nylon as durable as virgin nylon? Yes — ECONYL® matches virgin nylon’s tensile strength (42 MPa) and elongation (25–30%) when processed correctly. Independent tests show no statistical difference in stretch recovery after 100 washes.
• Do sustainable swim brands offer inclusive sizing? Top performers do: Summersalt (XXS–4X), Patagonia (XXS–3X + petite/tall options), Reformation (XXS–XXL + ‘Petite’ and ‘Tall’ sub-ranges). Always check size charts — sustainable fabrics drape differently than fast fashion.
• How do I verify a brand’s sustainability claims? Look beyond marketing copy. Click ‘Certifications’ in the footer — then verify via official databases: GOTS (gots.info), B Corp (bcorporation.net), OEKO-TEX (oeko-tex.com). If links are broken or vague, proceed with caution.
• Are there sustainable options for competitive swimming? Yes — Speedo’s Eco Endurance+ line uses 100% recycled polyester and meets FINA standards. Arena’s Carbon Ultra uses 78% recycled polyamide + 22% Xtra Life Lycra® — chlorine-resistant and approved for training.
• Can I recycle my old swimsuit? Direct recycling is limited (multi-material blends resist separation), but brands like Patagonia and Vitamin A accept worn suits for downcycling into insulation or playground surfaces. Check take-back program terms — some require return shipping paid by customer.
• What’s the difference between ‘upcycled’ and ‘recycled’ swim fabric? Recycled = post-consumer or post-industrial waste melted/re-spun into new yarn (e.g., PET bottles → polyester filament). Upcycled = existing garments or deadstock fabric repurposed without breaking down fibers (e.g., Maya Delilah’s one-offs from surplus mill rolls). Upcycled has lower embedded energy but less scalability.