Sustainable Swimwear For The Environmentally Conscious
News and Trends
January 03, 2025
By Alessandra Caruso
Image Credit:Billabong
These trendy suits are ethically produced with recycled materials and minimal waste, proving that you can have it all when it comes to your swimwear.
Shopping for swimwear often lends itself to daydreams of beaches, waterfalls, and hot springs—spectacles of the natural world available for our enjoyment. But if we hope to partake in these natural wonders, we should make sure our shopping practices aren’t doing harm to the very environment at which we marvel.
Thankfully, “slow fashion” is on the rise to save the day. Plus, swimwear brands that use sustainable materials, minimal waste, and ethical production methods are offering designs that are both durable and stylish, removing any temptation for you to fall back into the cycle of fast fashion.
So go ahead: Invest in a suit or two that’ll last for more than a season. The options are so stunning, you’ll forget they’re sustainable, too.
Billabong Nights in Paradise Reversible Bikini Top and Bottom
Image Credit:Billabong
Image Credit:Billabong
This versatile two-in-one bikini top features fixed padding, a plunge neckline, and adjustable straps. The low-waist, high-leg bottoms offer skimpy coverage perfect for suntanning, while the triangle top will turn heads whether you opt for the whimsical rose or the vibrant tropical print.
As a company, Billabong has remained dedicated to its mission of sustainability for decades. They promise to “ prioritize protecting the places we play ” by using recycled materials in both their swimwear and their shipping methods.By the end of 2025, the company also promises that 100% of all adventure division products will be made from recycled or more sustainable materials, so you can paddle out knowing your gear is in harmony with the waves you’re riding.
Vitamin A Terra Asymmetrical One Piece - Sandbar Stripe Crepe Texture
Image Credit:Vitamina Swim
Image Credit:@vitaminaswim
This asymmetrical double-spaghetti strap one-piece is one of the most intriguing suits you’ll spot on the beach this season. Its diagonal stripe pattern and matte crepe texture offer an air of elegance, while the internal shelf bra and darts at the bust create a flawless silhouette. It’s also made from recycled materials—right down to the beaded detailing—and digitally printed for water conservation.
Check out Vitamin A’s website to learn more about the California-based brand’s sustainable production processes and signature sustainable fabric, EcoLux. The site also offers a real-time counter of Vitamin A’s “sexy stats,” which include over 1 million gallons of water saved and 88,000 pounds of waste diverted through their sustainable production of bikinis and bodysuits.
Tropic of C Equator Top and Bottom
Image Credit:Tropic of C
Image Credit:@xandrapohl
This matte triangle top is like the little black dress of swimwear—versatile, timeless, and a must-have in every closet. The cups can be adjusted along the drawstring or detached and tied around the neck, so you’re guaranteed to find the perfect fit no matter what.
Tropic of C places special emphasis on prioritizing recycled materials and reducing water and energy to minimize their environmental footprint. They aim to create swimwear with staying power to be worn season after season rather than tossed out with last summer’s fleeting trends. The brand also commissions products from artisans around the world in their ongoing commitment to female empowerment.
With Jéan Jeanie Bikini Toile Papillon Top and Bottom
Image Credit:With Jéan
Image Credit:@sarahlamkin_
Embrace your femininity with the Jeanie Bikini, a romantic and whimsical swimsuit perfect for vacationing on the beaches of France or a yacht in the Mediterranean (though your neighbor’s pool will also suffice). The balconette top features underwire support and contrast bow detailing to match the mid-rise bottoms.
When you purchase a piece from With Jéan, it comes with a guarantee of ethical production and manufacturing. They boast a large team of artisan sewers and creators working in comfortable, healthy environments. With Jéan also packages all of its pieces in biodegradable materials, minimizing waste to maximize sustainability.
Reformation x Joy One-Piece Swimsuit
Image Credit:Reformation
Image Credit:Reformation
This sporty-but-sexy one-piece is made from lightweight, stretchy fabric, so you can jog out of the ocean Baywatch-style without fear of being failed by strings or ties. It features a scoop neck, white trim, and a simple, timeless silhouette.
Reformation has been on a mission to merge sustainability with high fashion since 2009, and by 2030, everything they make will be part of a circular fashion system . This means the brand will use regenerative, recyclable, waste-minimizing materials for products built to last and, when their time finally does come, be recycled into something new. Reformation believes “the future of fashion is circular” and is leading the charge.
Cynthia Rowley Sunset Surf Wetsuit
Image Credit:Cynthia Rowley
Image Credit:Cynthia Rowley
This pink and orange ombre wetsuit will mirror the sunset as you paddle through the water this season. It features a covered back zipper with a nylon pull and velcro closure, high-cut hips, and SPF 50+. It’s also made by using earth-mined limestone instead of petrochemicals and materials such as recycled tires and plastic bottles.
At Cynthia Rowley, every piece is produced in limited quantities to avoid excess inventory and minimize waste. Plus, their neoprene wetsuits are made with green technology to minimize environmental impact, and their commitment to women’s empowerment shines through in initiatives like CR Surf Camps.Faithfull Evora Bikini Top and Henni Bikini Bottom
Image Credit:Faithfull The Brand
Image Credit:Faithfull The Brand
This sophisticated suit features clean lines for a modern, minimalist look. The bandeau-style top has thin, adjustable straps and a clasp fixture, while the bottoms have a flattering medium-rise fit and gathered detailing on each side.
Faithfull’s mission extends far beyond swimwear. The community-focused brand prioritizes ethical production through employee upskilling and training programs, generous benefits for their workers in Australia and Indonesia, and managerial assistance to local businesses. Faithfull also participates in a variety of give-back programs, such as giving fabric to women’s centers in Indonesia and donating to Trees4Trees, an Indonesia-based nonprofit focused on reforestation.
Seasonal Is Out, Sustainable Is In, With These Swimsuits Built to Last
Between its environmental impact, ethical production processes, and durable quality, sustainable swimwear is a no-brainer. And once you invest in a few statement suits, you won’t need to replace them, making it an economical choice as well.
In 2025, you don’t need to sacrifice style for sustainability when it comes to your swimwear. Shop sustainable to hit the beach feeling confident in both your look and your environmental footprint.