With the clouds of the pandemic slowly starting to lift from the skies of the U.S., I’ve been forced to confront the fact that soon people will actually see me. My corporeal form. IRL. Not on Zoom. Including my clothing.
This has led to frantic examinations of my closet, wondering if I even remember how to dress myself for the public eye. It’s a rude awakening we’re all navigating.
And while some areas of my closet grew in the pandemic (e.g. athletic wear and anything with a stretch waistband), no corner of my dresser went as untouched as my swimsuits. A genre of wear that TRULY had no reason to exist in the past year as 1. I don’t have a pool and 2. the pics of crowded beaches over the summer left me with a grip of anxiety.
Which is maybe why over the past few weeks I’ve been looking at bikinis online in a frenzied state. Countless tabs open. Tape measure tangled around my frame. Sore fingers from typing and retyping my credit card info.
It’s been years since I’ve bought a bathing suit, so I was pretty out of touch with what’s even out there, especially in the eco-friendly market. So I figured I’d pass along the results of my hours of research. Now to find matching face masks…
Vitamin A
California brand Vitamin A gets a coveted “Great” rating from good on you for its use of recycled nylon in its undeniably sexy pieces. There is a strong sense of California cool and confidence embedded in every swimsuit that makes them irresistible. What makes them resistible then? The price can be steep, especially when compared to other options on this list. My advice is to splurge on a timeless black two-piece you know you’ll wear for years to come and look crazy hot in.
Ookioh
A lot stands out about Ookioh. Its commitment to using 100% recycled materials makes your eyes go wide when other “green” brands only use a percentage recycled materials. But what’s even more surprising is its diverse style offerings that cover a wide range of aesthetics. There are itty bitty string bikinis, full coverage one pieces, 60s-inspired halter tops, athletic-cut takinis, nautical stripes, and still so much more. With a competitive price of about $50 per piece (or $100 for a one piece), I truly believe anyone can find something they enjoy in this shop.
Saltwater Collective
This brand may just have it all: trendy styles, 100% regenerated Econyl nylon fabric, and a healthy dose of body positivity. The size representation in this shop is a major win—sustainability is no good if it isn’t accessible. People with big bodies deserve the same sexy, sustainable swimwear options as everyone else. The only downside is that these pieces get snatched up quickly, understandably so. Personally, I’m on the waiting list for more than one item…
La Donna Swim
While this is a newer brand, there is already a lot of promise in its offerings. Not only are suits made from recycled plastic bottles, but the brand is also committed to “ a made-to-order structure in efforts to reduce waste.” Stock surplus is notoriously an issue in fashion, with some brands literally burning their excess clothing. As of this publish date, the store is having a big sale, making this the most affordable option.
Good ol’ thrifting
For the most part, the above brands focus on the recycle part of “reduce, reuse, recycle.” But a huge opportunity for reusing comes from the wonderful world of thrifting. Brick and mortar secondhand stores aren’t typically a treasure trove of bathing suits, but thankfully there are so many digital options to buy secondhand. Poshmark, Depop, and ThredUp host a wealth of swimwear options which can help make things easier on your wallet, too. Here’s my tip: if you already have a swimsuit that you love but just want a fresher style, search for “[Brand name] swimsuit”, apply a filter for your size, and bam! You’ll (hopefully) have pages of options that you know you’ll look fantastic in without damaging the earth with a brand new purchase.
Elisse Miller 