Summer is well and truly here, and whether you’re staycation-ing in St Ives, jetting off to St Barts—or even just chilling in your paddling pool—we’ve got all your swimwear needs covered. Dive in with a few of our favourite eco-friendly swimwear brands, so you can beat the heat while knowing it won’t cost you the earth—literally. So if it’s bathers, bandeaus or bikinis you’re after, you’ll be sure to make a splash in any of ELLISS’ top six picks for the summer.
1. BOWER
Launched in 2015, Bower is a sustainable and ethical swimwear and resort wear brand that was influenced by co-founders Rupert and Fiona’s childhood spent by the sea at Sydney’s Fairy Bower. Bower aims to create beautifully constructed, modern swimwear with touches of vintage inspired styles. The swimwear is made in a small, specialised factory in Italy using fabrics produced with ECONYL® – a fibre created from post-consumer plastic waste like discarded fishing nets. Bower strives to ensure their processes produce as little waste as possible and only produce small quantities of products to minimise dead-stock and wastage.
2. ELLISS
We may be biased, but we think ELLISS swimwear is the perfect addition to your summer wardrobe! If you’re looking to stand out on the beach with a quirky print while also being kind to the earth, you’ve come to the right place! Crafted solely from ECONYL®, a recycled fibre made from regenerated fishing nets and other discarded materials, these nets have been recovered from our oceans and spun for a new use. Our bikinis are also fully lined in ECONYL® to give a thick and luxurious finishing. With an array of bold prints and styles to choose from, ELLISS swimwear can be worn lounging around by the pool, to out for drinks that night!
3. JADE SWIM
Designed in New York and made in LA, fashion editor Brittany Kozerski launched sustainable swimwear brand ‘JADE Swim’ in 2016. Combining a minimal aesthetic with unique, elevated design details, the versatility of JADE Swim allows customers to wear the pieces from day to night, from beach to city and as swimwear to ready-to-wear.
4. MELICH
Melich is an eco swimwear and lifestyle brand based in Barcelona, focusing on timeless design using quality, sustainable fabrics. Established in 2018, Melich believes in responsibly sourced fabrics and eco-friendly manufacturing which is why their swimwear is made using Q-NOVA® technology – an environmentally-sustainable polyamide fibre obtained exclusively from regenerated raw materials. Their productions are small and local which allows them to oversee every process of manufacturing while also maintaining a small carbon footprint.
5. ISA BOULDER
Produced in Bali, Isa Boulder believes in creating high quality products through sustainable and ethical means by working with local artisans who use traditional dyeing and printing methods. Their pieces are carefully altered, cut and sewn by their in-house team to ensure they are involved in every part of the design and production process The design team consists of a small group of like-minded women who are passionate about creating a line that embraces individuality while also being kind to the earth.
6. LÉ BUNS
Lé Buns is a female founded brand working hard to ensure they make smart choices for the environment. Having a strong resect for the people they work with and the environment they work within, every piece is made using exclusively organic, natural and regenerated fibres. Lé Buns designs pieces that are timeless and versatile, that transcends trends and enhances the beauty of the wearer’ natural form. Their mission is to create underwear and swimwear that has longevity so you won’t feel the need to discard your garments after a few months, while also working with suppliers that share their sustainable and ethical practices.
Get in touch! We’d love to hear some of your favourite independent sustainable swimwear brands.