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 suit from Target in middle school 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-friendly 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 great for performance.
So, in order to have a suit that can withstand the pool, sea, and sand without damaging the environment… recycled and regenerated synthetics are a great solution.
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. Con Cariño
Sexy, flirty, and digitally printed with tropical designs inspired by Kauai, Con Cariño’s sustainable swimwear will make a stunning addition to your beachwear collection.
Each suit is ethically handmade by the founder’s family in Venezuela in Con Cariño’s own workshop! This ensures both transparency and high production quality. Their suits are all double-lined and made with a Standard 100 by OEKO-TEX® certified luxury fabric made from recycled plastic bottles.
Beyond their in-house sustainability practices, the ethical swimwear brand donates 25% of every sale to Maniapure Foundation, a nonprofit working with local Indigenous communities in Venezuela.
Separates: $40+ | One Pieces: $110+
Size Range: XS – XL
3. Girlfriend Collective
Your favorite inclusive eco activewear brand also has affordable sustainable swimwear!
Girlfriend offers sporty swimwear in a variety of fits — from high rise bottoms and wrap tie one-pieces to strappy string tops and cheeky bikini bottoms.
Their suits are made from ECONYL® regenerated nylon and are available in a variety of classic solid colors that you’ll love rocking summer after summer.
Separates: $45+ | One-Pieces: $95
Size Range: XXS-6XL
4. 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
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. 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
7. 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
8. 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
9. Londre
Londre has high-quality and flattering separates and one-pieces made from recycled materials. To date, the brand has recycled 100,000 plastic bottles from the streets and beaches of Taiwan!
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
10. 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
Looking For More Sustainable Swimwear?
Check out Conscious Fashion’s Sustainable Swimwear guide.
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