Many of the clothing brands that are popular in mainstream culture are notorious for creating excessive waste with fast fashion, neglecting to treat all the individuals involved in production with fairness and respect, and being irresponsible about their environmental impact.
Fast Fashion
Fast fashion is the idea that clothing is disposable, and that individuals’ wardrobes should be replaced season to season. Fast fashion brands make poor quality clothing because it can be produced cheaply and priced cheaply
That clothing then wears out quickly, so consumers keep returning to buy more. This creates enormous amounts of waste! In fact, the average American throws away 80 pounds of clothing in one year, and 80% of those discarded clothing items end up in landfills.
Brands combatting fast fashion are making clothes that are more timeless, and are high quality, meaning they’re made to last. Keep in mind that when their products cost more, it’s because the higher quality materials used to make them cost more. It can also be more expensive to use ethical and sustainable practices in production.
Ethical Fashion
Ethical fashion brands go out of their way to make sure all of their employees, including factory workers, are treated ethically. Treating employees ethically means ensuring:
- All employees receive fair wages
- Working conditions are safe
- Employees aren’t overworked
Sustainable Fashion
Sustainable fashion brands are taking care to protect the environment and minimize waste by:
- Avoiding using toxic chemicals
- Using organic and/or recycled materials when possible
- Minimizing their water usage and usage of other resources
- Minimizing waste, and recycling as much of their waste as possible
- Increasing energy efficiency
Read my post to learn more about ethical & sustainable fashion!
Thankfully, there are a lot of swimwear brands that are starting to make an impact on the fast fashion industry by incorporating ethical and sustainable practices into their production.
These 10 sustainable and ethical swimwear brands are making sure all their employees are treated with fairness and respect, and protecting the environment!
For more men’s and women’s clothing brands that are ethical and sustainable, making high quality and fashionable clothing, check out these lists:
25 Ethical Clothing Brands for Women
16 Ethical Clothing Brands for Men
Lonely
Based In | New Zealand
Ethics Highlights | Lonely maintains close relationships with suppliers to ensure that ethical standards are maintained. They also have a focus on minimizing their negative environmental impact.
Fun Fact | Lonely uses photos submitted from Lonely wearers around the world in everyday life situations to foster positive body image and freedom of expression.
Product Range | Women’s lingerie and swimwear.
Price Range | Bottoms and tops start at $75. One pieces start at $135.
Azura Bay
Based In | Canada
Ethics Highlights | Azura Bay has a collection of brands using ethical practices, artisan and handmade production, fair trade, and eco-friendly materials.
Fun Fact | When checking out on the site you get to choose one of three organizations to give proceeds to, which either help to restore wildlife or promote girls’ rights.
Product Range | Women’s lingerie, loungewear, and swimwear.
Price Range | Bottoms start at $27.50 and tops start at $37. One pieces start at $69.
Reformation
Based In | USA
Ethics Highlights | Reformation is committed to reducing carbon emissions and waste production. They also ensure that they are paying employees well, and investing in their well being.
Fun Fact | Their sustainable LA factory is available for tours the first Friday of every month.
Product Range | Women’s apparel, swimwear, and formal dresses.
Price Range | Bottoms start at $58 and tops start at $68. One pieces start at $98.
Elle Evans
Based In | Australia
Ethics Highlights | Elle Evans is committed to using sustainable, recyclable fabrics. They also design their ethical swimwear with longevity in mind.
Fun Fact | All activewear styles can also be worn in the water.
Product Range | Women’s, teens’, and kids’ activewear and swimwear.
Price Range | Bottoms start at $75 AUD and tops start at $95 AUD. One pieces start at $150 AUD.
FatFace
Based In | UK
Ethics Highlights | FatFace maintains high standards for protecting the environment and sourcing sustainable materials. They also have a diverse yet equality-focused workplace.
Fun Fact | The name, FatFace, was inspired by the founders’ favorite ski run, “La Face,” in France.
Product Range | Men’s and women’s apparel, swimwear, bags, accessories, and footwear.
Price Range | Bottoms start at $12.50 and tops start at $15. One pieces start at $27.50.
Patagonia
Based In | USA
Ethics Highlights | Patagonia ensures fair and safe labor conditions. They’re increasing fair trade practices, seeking to improve sustainability, and are giving 1% of their sales to environmental groups.
Fun Fact | Patagonia will buy back used gear for store credit, or repair any Patagonia items.
Product Range | Men’s and women’s active and outdoor apparel, swimwear, and gear.
Price Range | Bottoms and tops start at $55. One pieces start at $119.
Naja
Based In | USA
Ethics Highlights | Naja’s garment factory primarily hires single moms and female heads of households. They are dedicated to reducing waste and finding ways to incorporate recycling in their ethical swimwear production.
Fun Fact | Naja pays for all school supplies, books, uniforms, and meals for every child of garment factory workers.
Product Range | Women’s lingerie, activewear, and swimwear.
Price Range | Bottoms and tops start at $23, and one pieces start at $78.
Mara Hoffman
Based In | USA
Ethics Highlights | Mara Hoffman uses recycled and organic materials that are sustainably sourced wherever possible. They also work to ensure all people involved in manufacturing are treated fairly and respectfully, and they ensure factories uphold responsible human rights and environmental standards.
Fun Fact | Female founder Mara Hoffman “presents collections with a devotion to color, each inspired by and in celebration of women.”
Product Range | Women’s clothing and swimwear.
Price Range | Bottoms start at $33 and tops start at $62.50. One pieces start at $69.
Hackwith Design House
Based In | USA
Ethics Highlights | All Hackwith Design House ethical swimwear is made by hand in Minnesota, and many of their items aren’t made until they’re ordered to reduce waste from overproduction.
Fun Fact | Hackwith Design House offers free shipping for any order of two or more items.
Product Range | Women’s clothing and swimwear.
Price Range | Bottoms start at $36 and tops start at $54. One pieces start at $78.
Jessica Rey
Based In | USA
Ethics Highlights | All Jessica Rey ethical swimwear is made in sweatshop-free factories in Los Angeles, CA. They ensure all employees are treated with respect and are paid fair wages. Their swimsuit fabrics are made with 100% pre and post consumer waste.
Fun Fact | The founder used to be the White Power Ranger on Disney’s Power Rangers Wild Force.
Product Range | Women’s and girls’ modest swimwear, women’s clothing, accessories, and jewelry.
Price Range | Tankini stops start at $79, bottoms start at $31, and one pieces start at $108.
This list of sustainable and ethical swimwear brands includes a style and price point for everyone! Do you have a favorite ethical swimwear brand I missed?
