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If you're looking to buy some new beachwear for the summer but want to make sure you're supporting ethical companies, then you'll love this list of the top affordable, sustainable swimwear brands of 2026.
This year I set out to find the best swimsuits made using sustainable materials and practices, but with incredibly stylish designs so you'll look great at the beach or pool this summer.
Ladies' swimming suits are Mrs. Miller’s department (I’ve taken care of the men's section later on), so I've recruited her for her expert opinion on the ladies' eco fashion brands.
Later in this article, I’ll reveal the catastrophic environmental damage done by traditional swimwear collections, and what textiles and other factors make a brand ethical.
But first, I'd like to dive (swimming pun intended) into the list of winners.
✔ Stunning Women's Clothing & Swimwear
✔ Plant-Based, Upcycled & Recycled Fabrics
✔ Biodegradable Bags & Mailers
Vitamin A is already listed in our recycled clothing brands roundup thanks to its use of sustainable fabrics.
This is a genuinely eco-friendly brand. Vitamin A is rated good by GoodOnYou, with particular praise for its impact on the planet and animals. They well deserve their spot in this article.
Their stunning designs are all made from OEKO-TEX certified fabrics, which are either plant-based or made with recycled materials. They ship in 100% recycled, recyclable, and biodegradable bags and mailers.
What's more, it's all made in low-emission facilities in the USA.
Mrs. M Says: The only real problem with Vitamin A is deciding which of their range to choose. Whether you want to go skimpy and revealing or conservative and covered up, you're sure to find something you love.
Usually after testing I return or donate items if I know I won't be using them regularly. This time I'm keeping them all - I know they'll get plenty of use. Good thing we're in the sunshine state - I feel a weekend at the beach coming up...
✔ Paris Agreement Carbon Commitment
✔ No New Plastic
✔ Certified Organic Cotton
Everlane is a brand I’ve been aware of for a while, ever since my daughters bought me a weekend bag. They’ve committed to meeting the key targets of the Paris Agreement, and are eliminating new plastic from their supply chain.
With an excellent range of organic swimwear already on offer (and more to come in their new season collection) there is a lot to like about this brand.
Mrs. M Says: James loves the sustainability ethics of Everlane…and I feel the same way about their functional swimwear.
The Square-Neck One-Piece lives in my gym bag and is perfect for my morning laps of the local swimming pool.
Made from 82% ECONYL and 18% Elastane, it’s flattering, super comfy, and quick drying.
The bright red also makes a real statement without being too ‘showy’.
✔ Fair Trade
✔ 100% Recycled or Renewable Fibers
✔ Best for Board Shorts
When setting up Outerknown, founder Kelly Slater insisted on being as sustainable as possible.
This explains why all the brand's trunks are made using an ethical production process, from 100% recycled or renewable fibers.
The entire brand is also Fair Trade Certified and Fair Labor Association accredited.
I’m a big fan of the Outerknown Apex Hybrid Trunks, which use recycled polyester and are sewn in a Fair Trade Certified factory.
However, the best thing about these trunks is the well-conceived dual-purpose design. They have all the performance you need when on your board, but also don't look out of place going out for a relaxed dinner.
I also get a lot of use out of my Seea Unisex Muir Poncho. Made out of recycled denim and organic cotton, it does an excellent job keeping me warm between swim and board sessions.
Free standard U.S. shipping is available on all orders over $125. Free standard international shipping is available on all orders over $200.
Mrs. M Says: I love the growing trend for reversible sustainable bathing suits. They give you multiple outfit combinations with one purchase, saving both money and resources.
I’m also pleased to see that Outerknown is expanding its offering for women.
✔ Best for Sports & Surfwear
✔ Fair Trade Certified
✔ FSC-Certified
Patagonia makes my favorite spring/summer wetsuit for long sessions on the boards (surf and paddle)...the Men's Yulex® Regulator® Lite Front-Zip Long-Sleeved Spring Suit.
The combination of 85% FSC-certified rubber and 15% synthetic rubber (sewn in a Fair Trade Certified factory) gives me the perfect level of snugness.
Patagonia is a 1% For The Planet member and funds many environmental nonprofits.
Patagonia is also trying to "take action on the most pressing issues facing the world today" through its Action Works initiative.
Mrs. M Says: I’m on the same page as James regarding Patagonia’s surfwear.
But I don’t like a wetsuit (I’m very much a fair-weather surfer). I much prefer cute boardshorts and a rashguard.
✔ Closed Loop - Recycled and Recyclable
✔ No Plastic Packaging Ever
✔ UPF50+ Sun Protection
Loop Swim offers a truly circular product range: sustainable bathing suits made from recycled bottles, that are also recyclable at the end of their life.
They ship in boxes made of recycled cardboard, with no factory packaging or poly bags.
The majority of the range is heat transfer printed rather than vat dyed. This significantly reduces water and energy consumption and uses fewer chemicals, without any loss of quality (in fact the quality is better than any synthetic brand I've seen).
The Loop Swim company ethics are sound. Their workers are paid around double the average wage, and their codes of conduct are fully transparent - you can even download a copy from their website.
Mrs. M Says: Loop Swim has got the whole family covered with their range of plastic bottle swimwear.
The Ginkgo Jazmine One-Piece is my favorite. There’re also many cute sustainable pieces for boys and girls.
Speaking of the kids, it's comforting to know that their fabrics come with built in UPF50+ protection for the whole family, blocking 98% of UVA and UVB rays.
Free international shipping is available on all orders over $100, and I know you'll appreciate that your order comes with zero plastic packaging - a welcome change when shopping online these days!
✔ Recycled Materials
✔ Fair Trade Certified
✔ Made Using Renewable Energy
If you love the outdoors, REI Co-op has you covered. It’s a convenient one-stop shop for all your outdoor needs.
REI Co-op is open and honest about its environmental impact and the steps being taken to reduce it.
All its stores are powered by 100% renewable energy, and it plans to reduce its company-wide carbon footprint by 55% by 2030.
You can read more in the REI Stewardship Report.
I love the retro look of the VISSLA Low Five 18.5" Board Shorts, which they make from REPREVE® (containing recycled polyester and coconut fibers), with 4-way stretch for comfort and mobility.
Mrs. M Says: REI Co-op is one of my absolute faves.
I love that you become a lifetime member for a one-off fee of just $30 and gain access to free delivery, discounts, and other exclusive perks.
ROARK is very much my kind of brand. Their swimwear range is made with sustainable materials and offers plenty of choice and color options.
The designs range from plain and conventional to some incredibly bold and funky patterns (some might call them brave). So there really is something for every taste.
Lengths range from 16" to 18" depending on what look and fit you prefer.
It's worth noting that the Boatman range is not crafted with recycled materials, but the Passage, Chiller and Storey ranges are. Needless to say, I am only recommending the sustainable ones here.
You get free shipping on all orders over $75 and free returns and exchanges for 30 days.
Due to the nature of the use of swimsuits (ie, they're worn mostly in water), there is usually some level of synthetic fabric present for performance reasons.
When a synthetic fabric is washed, it releases tiny particles (known as microfibers or microplastics) into the water system. These particles are difficult to catch and often end up in rivers and oceans.
According to the EPA, “a 2019 study by Ocean Wise estimated that the average household in the U.S. and Canada releases 533 million microfibers – or 135 grams – of microfibers to wastewater treatment plants each year”.
If you can’t avoid synthetic fabric altogether, you can reduce the level of microfiber pollution leaving your washing machine by using a GUPPYFRIEND™ Washing Bag.
A specific brand of recycled nylon created by the Italian firm Aquafil, ECONYL is made entirely from waste materials such as industrial plastic, waste fabric, and used fishing nets. It's highly valued for its environmental benefits and quality.
ECONYL is Oeko-Tex certified, which means it's been tested and meets strict limits on harmful chemical content.
These fabrics are often made from recycled plastic bottles (also called rPET), fishing nets, or other nylon waste. They provide the same durability and stretch as traditional nylon but with a lower environmental impact.
Some innovative eco-friendly swimwear is made from plant-based materials like Tencel, which is derived from sustainably sourced wood pulp, or natural rubber.
Deadstock fabrics are essentially surplus fabrics left over from fashion houses or manufacturers that would otherwise go to waste. By using these materials, swimwear brands can reduce waste and the demand for new fabric production
The first step to choosing an ethical and sustainable swimsuit is to check what it's made from.
Swimwear made from any of the materials listed above is good. Anything that contains synthetics such as virgin polyester or nylon is bad.
Fast fashion brands churn out cheap swimwear that often struggles to last one holiday, let alone an entire summer!
They’re usually made from environmentally destructive materials and might even have been manufactured using abusive labor practices.
Buy your swimsuits from sustainable fashion brands instead. Don’t follow fads. Invest in timeless swimwear that will last years.
Look out for brands with ethical manufacturing and fair labor practices that treat their workers fairly and humanely.
The number of reputable green certifications a sustainable brand carries can be a great indicator of its eco-credentials and ethics.
UPF measures the amount of UV radiation that a fabric allows to reach your skin. Swimwear with a high UPF rating offers better protection against harmful UV rays.
Eco-friendly swimwear brands that combine sustainability with effective UV protection provide you with a balanced approach to both environmental responsibility and personal health.
Try to avoid fads and trends that will change and be ‘out of fashion’ before you know it.
Stretch your budget as far as you can to ensure you get quality sustainable designs that will last.
Polyester is a popular choice for swimsuits, especially for competitive swimming. Polyester swimsuits are durable, long-lasting, chlorine-resistant, and offer UV protection.
If you go for a polyester swimsuit, make sure the recycled content is as high as possible. Recycled polyester from post-consumer waste plastic bottles is a fantastic option.
Most swimwear linings are nylon mixed with a stretchy material, such as lycra or spandex.
Lining made from recycled nylon waste such as old fishing nets is an excellent ethical swap for virgin nylon.
As more consumers turn to environmentally friendly products in 2026 than ever before, you'll notice that more eco-friendly swimsuit brands are coming onto the market this summer.
This is great because it leads to two things:
More Choice
Lower Prices
Whether you’re a shorts guy like me, a reversible one-piece girl like Mrs. M, or something in between, I hope this article has helped you start your journey to find the perfect swimsuit made from eco-friendly materials, using ethical production methods.
Our core values mean we always prioritize sustainability over profit. We carefully evaluate and personally test every product to ensure they meet our high standards. All products recommended in this article were tested in accordance with our Review Methodology.
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