Searching for affordable sustainable swimwear is not easy! Finding a suit that’s flattering, timeless, made ethically from eco-friendly materials and is also not exorbitantly expensive is challenging, to say the least.
On my search, though, I’ve come across many incredible eco-friendly and ethical swimwear companies with fantastic quality suits at affordable prices.
Now, I will say that “affordable” is relative. I’m not going to show you “cheap” swimsuits but rather brands with great value that sell ethically made, quality swimwear for a fair price. Because let’s be honest—that $5 bikini will likely fall apart after a few wears anyway, if not sooner. (I once bought a cheap suit from Target that literally fell apart before I even wore it out of the house. Lesson learned!)
What is Sustainable Swimwear?
Well, for one, quality is key. Because the longer you keep your suit, the fewer you’ll need to buy in the future! It can be difficult to determine quality when shopping online, but I always look at what fabric is used (ECONYL® is a fantastic sustainable + luxurious material used in swimwear). Then, I try to find as many reviews as possible to figure out if that particular brand has long-lasting swimwear.
Also essential: eco-minded fabrics. You’ll see that most of the suits from these brands use regenerated and recycled synthetic fabrics. This is because though natural fibers are generally preferable, synthetics like polyester and nylon are sometimes required for performance, given where material innovation is at right now.
There are a few natural solutions on the market, though! I have an organic cotton and hemp suit from Natasha Tonic, for example. There are only 3 brands I know that create natural swimwear at a decent-sized scale but we are still seeing progress on this front which is great!
Just be sure to use a Guppyfriend Washing Bag so that microfibers don’t get released when washing your synthetic fabric suits!
And then bonus points if a brand has other sustainability initiatives. See if they use renewable energy at their factories, purchase carbon offsets for their energy use, or donate regularly to environmental nonprofits.
Where to Find Affordable Sustainable Swimwear
Check out these brands making sustainable affordable swimwear, from sporty one-pieces to beach-ready bikinis. Note that this guide includes partners and affiliates. As always, we only include brands that meet rigorous standards for sustainability we love — and that we think you’ll love too!
1. Do Good Swimwear
Do Good Swimwear creates colorful or neutral suits in classic, comfy cuts. The sustainable affordable swimwear brand uses ECONYL, regenerated nylon made from ocean waste like discarded fishing nets, and each suit is designed with timeless shapes, making them easy to mix, match, and love for many summers to come. Adopting a slow fashion mindset, Do Good Swimwear’s pieces are made in a local manufacturer for maximum transparency and minimal waste.
Do Good Swimwear also has quite a few give-back projects: they donate to Trees for the Future (plants trees and focuses on enriching soil), Surfrider Foundation (ocean conservation organization), and Tahanan (women’s crisis center in the Philippines), and Women’s Global Empowerment Fund (micro finance loans for women and education for girls).
Separates: $34+ | One-Pieces: $54+
Size Range: XS – L
2. Kitty and Vibe
Kitty and Vibe is a sustainable swimwear brand that went viral for being the first company to make bikini bottoms based on your butt size, not just your hip size. For every size they offer there’s an option for a smaller (choose the 1 option) or larger (choose the 2 option) booty so you don’t have to worry about having too much or too little fabric.
Their suits are made from 82% Recycled Poly and 18% X-Life Lycra and are ethically made in a woman-run factory in Bogota, Colombia.
Separates: $46 | One-Pieces: $88
Size Range: S – 5XL
3. Londre
Londre has high-quality and flattering separates and one-pieces made from recycled materials.
Not only are Londre’s affordable and sustainable swimwear pieces versatile (they can also be worn under bottoms as bodysuits!) and durable, but they are also designed to be fully recyclable at the end of their life.
Separates: $49+ | One-pieces: $98+
Size Range: XS – 5XL
4. Summersalt
Summersalt’s eco-friendly suits are all made with 78% recycled polyamide that’s crafted from post-consumer plastic and nylon waste, including fishing nets.
And, this affordable sustainable swimwear brand is committed to a great fit — they took measurements from 10,000 women to inform their sizes!
Separates: $45+ | One-pieces: $95
Size Range: 0 – 24
5. Sensi Graves
Founded by a professional kiteboarder, Sensi Graves has high-performance sustainable swimwear designed for long-lasting comfort. The swimwear brand’s suits are designed to empower women in sports and are made with consideration of our planet.
Sensi Graves uses fabrics made from recycled plastic bottles and fishing nets and donates 1% of each purchase to environmental nonprofits.
Separates: $50+ | One-pieces: $88+
Size Range: S – XL
6. Wolven
Wolven creates eco-friendly swimsuits with fun, colorful geometric-inspired designs that will transport you to faraway tropical destinations without the carbon footprint. Each of the brand’s bold swimsuits is made with OEKO-TEX certified recycled P.E.T. fabric crafted from recycled plastic bottles.
The sustainable affordable swimsuits from Wolven are also versatile — many of their suits are reversible and/or can be flipped front to back for a different take on the same suit! This one-piece can even be worn eight (!) different ways.
Separates: $52+ | One-pieces: $128+
Size Range: XS – XL
7. Patagonia
Sustainably-minded outdoor clothing and adventure gear brand Patagonia also has a great collection of affordable eco-friendly swimwear. Their style leans athletic, but the fun prints and colors make their suits great for lounging at the pool as well.
Patagonia uses recycled nylon for their swimwear and some suits are made in Fair Trade Certified factories as well. I have a Patagonia bikini that I bought a couple of years ago and I’m definitely a fan—the fabric is comfy and the suit stays in place when swimming.
Separates: $49+ | One-pieces: $129+
Size Range: XXS – XXL
8. Saturday Swimwear
Saturday Swimwear has suits in colorful and neutral hues made from ECONYL regenerated nylon sourced from waste like discarded fishing nets. Each suit is thoughtfully handmade by owner Emily Laplume as she travels across the United States in her van!
The affordable sustainable swimwear brand packages their suits in completely biodegradable and compostable materials and uses recycled paper hang tags with soy-based inks.
Separates: $55 – $60
Size Range: S – L
9. Arrow + Phoenix
Arrow + Phoenix has sexy, sustainable swimwear all made in the U.S. using recycled fabrics like ECONYL®, an Italian eco-luxe fiber made from regenerated nylon. Every suit is shipped in recycled packaging, too!
The Arrow + Phoenix team sent me their Dauphine Top and Kali High Waist Bottoms to test out and I’m obsessed — the set provides just the right amount of coverage while also being flattering and the ECONYL® fabric makes it the most comfortable swimsuit I’ve owned to date.
Separates: $62+ | One-pieces: $110+
Size Range: XS – 3XL
10. Ohoy Swim
Inspired by the beauty of the ocean — and the need to protect it — Ohoy Swim is an eco-friendly swimwear brand prioritizing recycled materials, durability, and ethical production.
Their bikinis, rashguards, one-pieces and other sustainable swimwear is made from recycled nylon sourced from ocean waste like discarded fishing nets.
The European brand has recently switched to manufacturing in Portugal to further reduce their carbon footprint and increase transparency into their supply chain.
Separates: €30+ | One-pieces: €70+
Size Range: XS – XL
11. LIVELY
With combined experience of over 60 years in lingerie manufacturing, LIVELY understands how to make high quality bras, underwear, and swimwear.
The brand’s affordable eco-friendly swimwear — which is available in bright colors or classic colorways — is made from 80-85% recycled nylon. Another sustainability highlight is that LIVELY has a manufacturing factory entirely dedicated to them. So they’re able to avoid overproduction while also having better transparency and control to ensure good working conditions for their makers.
Separates: $45 | One-pieces: $75
Size Range: XS – XL
12. Carve Designs
Every single suit from Carve Designs swimwear collection — from rashguards to one-pieces and bikinis to tankinis — is made using recycled materials. The brand has recycled swimwear is solid colors and a range of prints, like floral and nautical. They also have reversible options if you want to maximize wear out of your suit. (Or in case you just can’t decide!)
Many of their designs offer full coverage, making Carve Designs a good option for more modest eco-friendly swimwear or for getting active in the water.
Separates: $52+ | One-pieces: $84+
Size Range: XS – XL
13. ColieCo
Ethically made in Europe using reclaimed Italian knit lycra, ColieCo is able to offer responsible and eco-friendly swimwear at affordable prices. The suits also come in recycled packaging and every order is carbon-offset.
Plus, each piece is handmade to order, which helps the brand not only to avoid overproduction and minimize textile waste but enables them to offer custom sizes.
Separates: $26+
Size Range: 2XS – 3XL
14. ALOHAS
Made in Portugal from recycled nylon or recycled polyamide, ALOHAS has eco-friendly bikinis and one-pieces in comfortable and flattering fits.
What’s unique about ALOHAS is that they operate with an on-demand production model, taking pre-orders before they start manufacturing. ALOHAS offers 30% off at launch before they start production, which means that you can find quality affordable eco-friendly swimwear (and other products) on their site, and ALOHAS can avoid overproduction. That’s a win-win we can get behind!
Separates: €29+ | One-pieces: €52+
Size Range: XS – L
15. NIKIN
Swiss brand NIKIN has eco-friendly bikinis made from 85% recycled polyester and swim trunks made from SEAQUAL® YARN recycled marine plastic and recycled PET. NIKIN’s swimwear is made fairly in Bulgaria and the brand plants a tree for every order.
Separates: €29+ | Trunks: €45
Size Range: XS – XL
16. Underprotection
With unique prints, chic cuts, and subtle feminine details Underprotection’s eco-friendly swimwear is far from ordinary. Each suit is made from 85% recycled PET bottles — the fabric is Global Recycling Standard certified too.
Underprotection’s recycled swimwear is made at a BSCI (Business Social Compliance Initiative) and WRAP (Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production) certified factory.
Separates: $17+ | One-pieces: $49+ (sale prices)
Size Range: XS – XL
17. Cleobella
A bit on the higher end of the price range in this guide, but totally worth the investment is Cleobella.
Cleobella’s flirty suits — from ruffled bikini tops and puff sleeves to cut-out one-pieces — are almost guaranteed to become your new favorite sustainable swimwear.
Each suit is ethically made in Sri Lanka from OEKO-TEX® and Global Recycled Standard certified fabric.
Separates: $98+ | One-Pieces: $198+
Size Range: XS – XL
Looking For More Sustainable Swimwear?
Check out Conscious Fashion’s Sustainable Swimwear guide.
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