We’ve finally reached the point of the year when the summer holiday countdown is underway, meaning the following things are imminent: sandy toes, basket bags and an excellent holiday capsule wardrobe. And second to deciphering how to condense your favourite summer holiday outfits into flight-approved luggage comes the complex question of swimwear.
Between impenetrable size guidelines, bust support levels and fabric options, there’s much to decipher when it comes to swimwear. Amongst the most frequent questions I get asked as a fashion editor are where to buy the best bikinis and swimsuits, which shapes suit which body types (the ones that make you feel the best) and the justification for the price disparity between what’s on the market.
Above all things, I advise thinking small. Shopping small, that is. The past few years have graced us with myriad swimwear brands that focus on sustainability, from eco-conscious materials to slow and thoughtful releases; it’s the very antithesis of fast fashion.
Emma Hoareau wears a Cooke Swim bikini
Since 2021, we’ve witnessed a rising interest in high-end, high-quality swimwear, spearheaded by brands like Hunza G. The brand’s fuss-free crinkle swimwear set the benchmark for elevated styles that are often synonymous with sustainability. The customer mindset is shifting; people are investing more heavily in budget and brands, and are eager to learn about textiles and innovation within the industry.
Lucy Williams wears Boteh
So, what makes a swimwear brand sustainable? If you regularly read my content on Who What Wear UK, you may be aware of my love for independent brands and natural materials, but these fabrics have limitations. Swimwear fabrics are akin to those of most high-performance clothing: water-resistant, elasticated, fast-drying and functional, and there are a handful of fibres and resins that fit the criteria. More often than not, sustainable swimwear is made from one of three: Econyl (regenerated nylon, typically sourced from landfills and oceans), Repreve (a durable fibre made from recycled plastic bottles) or recycled synthetics, such as post-consumer recycled polyester.
On occasion, recycled materials may be melded with virgin textiles to maintain integrity and ensure durability. Particularly scrupulous brands will ensure the continuation of the sustainable process across manufacturing, with considered dyes, attachments and fastenings; and some have attained Recycled Claim Standard (RCS) and Global Recycled Standard (GRS) accreditations.
Marianne Smyth wears a Hunza G swimsuit
Investing in premium-quality brands which uphold values and work with transparent production is a refreshing approach to sustainable shopping that I favour. Shopping for sustainable swimwear often equates to condensed and limited stocks, which is another powerful tool when tackling overconsumption in the fashion industry.
Francesca Saffari wears a Faithfull bikini
If you’re keen to refresh your arsenal with a sustainable swimwear pick, you won’t be disappointed with what you find. In my experience, they’re made to withstand plenty of wear and fleeting trends alike. Continue reading to discover 16 of my favourite sustainable swimwear brands. Each makes considered, contemporary pieces fashioned with forever in mind.
Shop the Best Sustainable Swimwear Brands:
1. Maygel Coronel
Style Notes: Maygel Coronel’s designs are locally made in Colombia. The brand merges Latin American influences with a contemporary essence denoted through adorable adornments, frilled detailing and ruched sleeves. What results is a sumptuous aesthetic made for tropical climates.
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MAYGEL CORONEL
Sauco Off-The-Shoulder Appliquéd Ruched Bikini
I have it on good authority that 2025’s butter yellow is set to dominate summer wardrobes for years to come.
2. Tona
Style Notes: Championing the female body in its various forms, Tona is charged with empowerment, unapologetically. This inclusive swimwear brand doesn’t scrimp on its sustainability efforts either. All pieces are predominantly comprised of Econyl or Organic Cotton (as seen with their towelling designs). From the high-leg bikini bottoms to the low-slung balconette. The collection is one part spirited and the other classic. Choose between inspired tie-dye prints and monochromatic texture.
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3. Cooke
Style Notes: Over the past decade, I’ve garned that Australians are experts on swimwear. They are ocean-bound, after all. Tastemaker Olive Cooke hones in on thoughtful designs inspired by the female figures in her life, her muses. Whilst you’re browsing, you’ll be remiss to not discover her entire collections spanning barely-there slip dresses to pareos.
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4. Away that Day
Style Notes: Established in 2019, Away that Day was founded with an onus on crafting stylish, high-quality & eco-friendly swim and apparel for women worldwide. The brand’s mission to prove that joyous styles can exist on the sustainable market is an evident success.
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5. Vanessa Sposi
Style Notes: Designed in Paris, weft in Italy, and crafted in Portugal, Vanessa Sposi is a proudly European brand playing with vintage-inspired silhouettes awash with an intentionally modern colour palette spanning jewelled emerald and peppery red to neutrals. Case in point, the Non-padded Top— a shrunken design, complete with a barely there strap and a striking underwired design.
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6. Borneo Paris
Style Notes: Inspired by the minimalist and functional lifestyle of sailors, Borneo hones in on timeless and easy-to-wear swimsuits and bikinis made to be worn aboard and abroad. The brand prides itself on its many sustainable practices, including (but not limited to) limited production runs and an OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 certification.
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7. Ysé
Style Notes: B-corp brand Ysé is beloved across France. It was primarily conceived with emboldened lingerie styles and, through natural progression, expanded to include swim and resortwear. Expect to find puckered textiles and ditsy florals. It boasts French roots, after all.
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8. Matteau
Style Notes: Matteau is renowned for its refined offerings. Owing to its birthplace of Australia, the brand knows exactly what makes the perfect swimwear. Years on, their formula is undefeatable. They’ve executed the design, so what follows are rousing colourways and prints. Like its apparel, the brand’s arsenal is capsule and includes classic silhouettes made with forever in mind.
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9. Jade Swim
Style Notes: Members of the 1% club, Jade Swim, are fully committed to sustainable practices and value bold and fashionable designs in equal measure. It’s the place to find youthful designs in abundance —from peek-a-boo perforations and ruching to asymmetry.
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10. You Swim
Style Notes: Dubbed as one of the most comfortable swimsuits on the market, You Swim has a stellar reputation among the fashion set for its take on swimwear. The brand boasts a unique approach to sizing, with two sizes to eliminate the complexities. Size 1 fits UK sizes 6-16, whilst Size II fits UK sizes 18-28. All’s said, reserve your energy for choosing between the myriad styles on offer.
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11. Form and Fold
Style Notes: Exclusively designed in Australia for bigger busts, Form and Fold is a brand to know for those who are bust size DD+ or above. Unfortunately, there’s a real lack of trendy swimwear for fuller busts, but Form and Fold more than make up for this gap in the market with their sophisticated styles.
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12. Dora Larsen
Style Notes: Lovers of Dora Larsen’s candy-hued will be pleased to know that since SS24, the independent brand has offered a concise swimwear edit to complement their lingerie collection. Each is awash with spirited colourways—from lilac to powder blue, which is part of the brand’s DNA.
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13. Faithfull
Style Notes: Look to resortwear brands like Faithfull for swimwear that aligns with current trends, albeit considered and ethically made. Faithfull has leaned into SS25’s romanticism trend spearheaded by Chloé, with this sweet and whimsical candied pink duo.
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14. St Agni
Style Notes: Founded in Byron Bay, St Agni explores contemporary style made for warmer climates. Granted, the extended collection is swoon-worthy, but its swimwear collection is also worthy of praise. With the less is more philosophy, it’s the brand to make a beeline for if you’re a minimalist hankering for clean lines.
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15. Marysia
Style Notes: With a background in sports and performance, Founder Maria Dobrzanska Reeves sought to amalgamate her love with Italian-inspired scalloped edging with functional swimwear. Many pieces comprise Q-NOVA® stretch-polyamide, a regenerated fibre, reducing CO2 emissions and water consumption.
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16. This Belongs To
Style Notes: Lovers of Y2K, look no further than This Belongs To, for unique and convertible swimwear designs, each handmade in their London Studio. Between buckle bustiers, cut-out swimsuits and bold splashes of animal print, it lends itself to noughties styles of the past.