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By: Carlie Morton
Shopping on Shein for swimwear has been an annual occurrence for me as the spring and summer months are approaching quickly. Surprisingly, Shein’s swimsuit quality is not terrible and the prices are great, but at what cost to the environment? It is pretty common knowledge that online fast fashion brands exploit their workers in order to sell cheap, unethically made swimsuits to consumers while producing in factories that leave an enormous carbon footprint. After doing some research, I have found some cute and sustainable brands that will make you and I feel better about what we’re buying this summer!
I have been following SevenSeas journey on TikTok for a couple of years now and can wholeheartedly say they are doing swimwear right. This is a small business that ethically produces swimsuits by using eco-friendly materials sourced from the USA and Italy as well as hand making all pieces. They recently lowered all their prices while maintaining their donations to nonprofits that help to protect our oceans.
Billabong has recently come out with a new line of swimwear that is labeled as “eco-conscious”. While not all of their swimwear has been made sustainably by this brand, this line is leading Billabong to the right direction. Their “Eco-Conscious Shop” comprises 423 pieces that are made of recycled materials. This includes their most recent line of hybrid boardshorts for men called the “Recyclers” that are made from discarded plastic water bottles.
While on the pricier side, Vitamin A swim is a swimwear brand that makes their product “from plants, not plastic”. They use twelve different types of materials that are all eco-friendly, plant based, and made out of recycled materials. The production of their eco fabrics also uses much less water than their conventional counterparts. This company also donates a portion of their sales to organizations that focus on keeping the ocean clean and participate in beach cleanups.
This swimwear brand also takes measures to ensure the quality and sustainability of their product. One thing I particularly admire about this brand is that it has completely sustainable packaging in that it is biodegradable and recyclable. They use leftover fabric from making swimwear for the production of other things like scrunchies and headbands. Blackbough Swim directly prints patterns onto the product so less water is wasted while ensuring they do not overproduce pieces that are not selling. In addition, they have stayed connected with their origin in the Philippines and continued to provide jobs and support through Tahanan Sta Luisa. Sales from certain collections also go to The Canopy Project and Coop’s Advice.
This season, try out a new brand that not only cares about the customer, but commits to reducing their carbon footprint and ethically produces their product!