18 ultimate affordable sustainable swimwear brands UK 2022
With spring now upon us in the UK and summer rapidly approaching it’s once again the time of year that we begin the search for affordable sustainable swimwear. With new brands emerging that champion sustainability it has never been easier to have the perfect beachside look that doesn’t contribute to beach pollution.
Eco friendly swimwear is becoming a hot topic in the fashion industry. A key driver of the projected $6.74 billion growth of the swimwear sector between 2020 and 2024, it seems sustainable swimwear is what everyone will be talking about this summer.
What is Sustainable Swimwear Made From?
Often made from synthetics derived from petrochemicals and coloured with toxic dyes, most conventional swimwear gets a failing grade for sustainability. Sustainable swimwear, often made from recycled or eco-friendly fibres, and crafted in fair supply chains, offers a low impact version of swimwear.
While there are lots of fabrics that make up the sustainable swimwear market, some common players include:
Econyl: A regenerated nylon made from ocean pollution, including discarded fishing nets, and landfill waste. This innovative fabric offers the same properties as virgin nylon without the environmental footprint.
Repreve: One of the world’s leading recycled fibres, Repreve has so far recycled more than 25 billion plastic bottles into material used for everything from swimwear to car interiors. This fantastic fibre is used by industry leaders such as Fitbit and Land’s End.
For more on recycled polyester see here.
affordable Sustainable Swimwear for the UK
This collection includes some of the hottest sustainable swimwear brands for every beachside holiday or relaxing poolside afternoon this summer.
However, it is important to note, sustainable clothes generally cost more to produce as workers are paid fairly and materials are carefully chosen. These sustainable styles are not the rock-bottom prices of fast fashion, but they are styles that won’t cost the earth.
Fast fashion brands that often have cheap swimwear styles have been left out of this list. While fast fashion may have cheap prices, they often don’t operate with the sustainable and ethical practices that reflect an industry that stands for fair supply chains and environmental protection.
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Price Guide:
£: items for under £50
££: items for £50 – £80
£££: items for £80 – £100
1. ColieCo
Based: Portugal Ships to: Internationally
Made in: Europe
Price: £
Sustainability creds: Sustainable shipping, offsets shipping emissions, uses reclaimed deadstock, renewable energy studio
With classic beachwear styles coming in an array of vivid hues, ColieCo is perfect for brightening up any summer day! All lycra used in the brand’s swimwear is reclaimed deadstock and every item is handmade, reducing the risk of overproduction and waste. They also offer free carbon-neutral shipping worldwide.
Even the studio the swimwear is made in is powered by 80% renewable energy.
2. Albaray
Based: UK Ships to: UK (free shipping over £100)
Made in: China, Vietnam, Greece, India
Price: £
Sustainability creds: Sustainable fabrics including GOTS cotton, recycled polyester, deadstock and TENCEL lyocell, factories using standards such as SMETA, GOTS and Oeko-Tex
UK based sustainable fashion brand Albaray offers funky floral, chequerboard and animal print swimming costumes and bikinis in a variety of styles and fits. Made from recycled polyester and with free shipping over £100 and free returns there´s a lot to like.
Their packaging, tags and labels are recycled and recyclable. What´s more they are stocked in M&S, Next and John Lewis!
3. We Are We Wear (WAWW)
Based: UK Ships to: Internationally
Made in: Turkey and China
Price: £
Sustainability creds: Eco-friendly materials, GRS certified fabrics
With stylized floral prints, and nude and pastel hues, We Are We Wear has sustainable swimwear with a feminine touch. Aiming to inspire confidence, the brand hosts inclusive sizes that cater to any style.
With a dedicated Eco Edit, WAWW uses eco-friendly materials and has adopted an attitude of constant improvement, aiming to be completely sustainable by 2023.
4. Do Good Swimwear
Based: USA Ships to: Internationally
Price: £
Sustainability creds: Works with conservation projects, give-back projects, recycled materials, small batch sizes
Do Good Swimwear do more than make sustainable swimsuits, they exist to make a difference. A portion of profits is donated to ocean conservation and tree planting initiatives and they remake offcuts into small accessories that are donated to those in need.
The brand has a range of affordable sustainable swimwear that delivers to the UK and embraces timeless designs and rich colours, keeping them in style for more than one season. Using recycled materials and small-batch manufacturing, this brand is doing good for people and the planet.
5. Samudra Swimwear
Based: Spain Ships to: Internationally
Made in: Europe
Price: £
Sustainability creds: Recycled fabrics, re-incorporation of fabric scraps, vegan, sustainable packaging
With vibrant colours and lively patterns, Samudra Swimwear is injecting an attitude of fun into every poolside look. The brand offers both one-piece and two-piece swimwear styles for women made from sustainable Econyl fabric.
Looking out for our furry friends, Samudra styles are also vegan.
6. Frugi
Based: UK Ships to: Internationally
Made in: India
Price: £
Sustainability creds: GOTS certified, Soil Association Organic certified, recycled materials
The masters of quirky children’s styles, Frugi has an eclectic offering of sustainable swimwear for children in the UK and beyond that is reasonably priced. Adorned with adorable sea creatures or enchanting flower prints, Frugi swimwear is sure to delight. The brand even has some limited maternity styles for expectant mamas.
Frugi swimwear incorporates recycled polyester and is made in responsible supply chains.
7. Noma
Based: UK Ships to: Internationally
Price: £
Sustainability creds: Recycled materials, engages with charitable initiatives, recycling programs
Another one for the littlest eco-warriors. Noma’s children’s swimwear is gender-neutral, comfortable and offers sun protection properties to protect young skin.
Made with 78% Econyl fabrics, these swimwear styles started life as fishing nets and ocean plastic pollution. The brand promotes recycling programs and donates 1% of annual turnover to Healthy Seas.
Also available on Amazon.
8. Adidas
Based: Germany Ships to: Internationally
Price: £
Sustainability creds: Some eco-friendly materials, targets to reduce emissions
While adidas has made efforts on the sustainability front, it should be noted that the brand does still have some way to go. However, it is the home of quality performance swimwear that can be acquired for an affordable price.
Adidas has set targets to reduce its emissions and uses some eco-friendly materials in production.
9. Girlfriend Collective
Based: USA Ships to: Internationally
Price: £
Sustainability creds: SA8000 Certified, uses recycled plastic, clothing designed to be recycled
Girlfriend creates attractive and affordable swim, active and underwear for all sizes from XXS to 6XL.
Their clothes are made in SA8000 accredited factories meaning that workers have safe working conditions, no forced or child labour and the right to unionise. All their workers are paid a fair wage and provided a free lunch and free health checkups alongside health insurance.
What’s more, their clothes are made from recycled materials and made to be recycled! They also score a coveted “Good” on Good On You’s brand directory.
10. Organic Basics
Based: Denmark Ships to: Internationally
Made in: Portugal, Turkey, Italy, Austria and Scotland
Price: £ – ££
Sustainability creds: PETA approved vegan, emissions offsetting, 1% for the Planet member, certified B-Corporation
A staple of the sustainable market, Organic Basics has classic swimwear styles that are ethically made.
Coming in block colours, these timeless designs are vegan, made from recycled materials and designed to be a summer favourite for years to come.
11. Batoko
Based: UK Ships to: Internationally
Made in: China
Price: ££
Sustainability creds: Small batch sizes, recycled material
With eco-friendly swimwear that isn’t afraid to have some fun, sustainable swimsuits from Batoko boast bold, quirky prints. Whether you are wanting swimwear sporting tropical birds, joyful sunflowers or leopard print, Batoko is the place to go.
Batoko swimwear is crafted from fabrics made from recycled plastic from the oceans. This sustainable swimwear is comfortable and made to flatter any body shape.
12. Lilja the Label
Based: Finland Ships to: Internationally
Made in: Bali
Price: ££
Sustainability creds: Recyclable packaging, use of sustainable materials
Lilja the Label designs are inspired by the beauty of the natural world. Featuring chic styles, at Lilja you can score a summer favourite adorned with sky blue prints or in a sleek style in ruby red.
The Finnish brand uses Econyl and Repreve in its designs and traces its manufacturing to ensure fair work conditions. Committed to sustainability, even its packaging is recyclable.
13. Seasoon
Based: UK Ships to: Internationally
Made in: Europe
Price: ££
Sustainability creds: Recyclable and recycled fabric
Offering luxury swimwear that doesn’t break the bank, Seasoon is perfect for the summer season. Made using recycled polyamide, these fashionable swimwear styles are designed in London, made ethically in Europe and are sustainable, stylish and Instagram ready!
14. prAna
Based: USA Ships to: Internationally
Made in: Vietnam
Price: ££
Sustainability creds: Founding member of the OIA Climate Action Corp, RDS certified, Fair Trade certified, responsible packaging
With the mission to make clothing that makes a positive change, swimwear from prAna does just that. Styles are made in ethical supply chains, incorporate sustainable Econyl and come with styles featuring bold patterns and an understated modern vibe.
prAna has reasonably affordable swimwear for the sustainable market in the UK, and it makes a big impact.
15. Hopaal
Based: France Ships to: Internationally
Made in: Europe
Price: ££
Sustainability creds: Recycled fabric, local production, sustainable packaging
Adorned with retro prints, rich buttery yellows, or sea blues, Hopaal has swimwear for whether you are wanting to surf, dive or sunbathe.
The brand champions sustainable fabrics, with styles that are entirely made from 100% recycled fibres.
16. Patagonia
Based: USA Ships to: International – UK stockists
Price range: ££
Sustainability creds: 1% for the Planet member, supports grassroots climate action, supports supply chain transparency, B Corp certified
The home of everything you need for an ocean adventure, Patagonia has sustainable swimwear styles in everything from bikinis and boardshorts to high-performance wetsuits. Made from materials designed with performance in mind, Patagonia swimwear is sure to be perfect companion to an epic surfing, diving and sailing adventures.
One of the original sustainable brands, Patagonia uses fair trade supply chains, and takes an active stance in reducing its environmental impact. While styles can be expensive on the Patagonia website, many of the products frequently go on sale and are sold through other third party retailers that can sometimes offer more affordable prices.
17. The Nude Label
Based: Spain Ships to: Internationally
Made in: Spain and Portugal
Price: £££
Sustainability creds: GOTS certified materials, recycled fibres, annually reviews its environmental policy
The Nude Label creates sustainable swimwear that has an element of sophistication. Using rich, earth-inspired colours, this Spanish brand has created a timeless range, focusing on the small details to make an elegant piece.
Annually, the Nude Label reviews its environmental policy, fostering an attitude of continual improvement. The company uses sustainable materials and manufactures locally to reduce its overall impact.
18. Aya the Label
Based: Netherlands Ships to: Internationally
Made in: Istanbul and Bali
Price: £££
Sustainability creds: Carbon neutral, eco-friendly packaging, recycled materials, works with Free the Girls
Dutch brand Aya has a range of sleek styles that don’t forget the details. Championing an understated elegance, swim styles featuring chic prints or nature-inspired tones.
Supporting sustainable practices, the brand is carbon neutral and uses fabrics made from recycled waste, such as fishing nets and recycled plastic bottles.
Swimwear that Doesn’t Cost the Earth
Affordable sustainable swimwear in the UK can be hard to find but some fantastic organisations are crafting fashionable styles that don’t cost the earth. Styles made from recycled plastic bottles to swimwear that supports environmental initiatives, there are swimwear brands out there that are affordable, fashionable and perfect for this summer.
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