15 Ethical Swimwear Brands To Dip In
I’m a bit of a water baby - I’ve lived most of my life by the beach and no matter the season, I’m keen for a dip! This means that a good bathing suit is a staple in my wardrobe. I don’t settle for average NZ made swimwear.
With the help of my sister, Georgia, we’ve created a list of ethical swimwear brands that focus on responsible production, use recycled or sustainable materials, and will make you feel like a beach BABE. We’ve also tried our best to include inclusive swimwear brands who have styles that fit a range of different body types.
Note: Prices are all in NZD, sizing is AU sizing, and ‘made in’ refers to where the garments are made, not inclusive of where the fabric is made.
We haven’t trialled all of these brands personally, but if we have, we’ve written a personal review. Some of the pieces I (Kate) own were PR gifts.
Where possible, we have focused on New Zealand and Australian ethical swimwear brands to cater for this side of the world because swimwear made in NZ often gets left out!
Swimm is a zero waste, merino wool swimwear brand made in Australia. The wool fabric gives the swimwear a unique feel and 4 way stretch for ease of movement. The swimwear is also self lined with the wool-elastane composition.
All materials in the swimwear, packaging and satchels are 100% biodegradable, compostable and recyclable. The swimwear production from start to finish happens in Australia.
The wool used is sourced from RWS Responsible Wool Standards and the knitting mill where the fabric is made is accredited with Ethical Clothing Australia.
Sizes: XS - XL
Cost: $85 - $190
Fabrics: 96% wool, 4% elastane
Made in: Australia
Nisa Women: NZ Made Swimwear
Nisa has a super groovy new collection where each garment is fully reversible to maximise versatility, and features a printed check side and a solid colour side (in black or red). The cut of these bikinis is classy and flattering - lovers of high waisted bikini bottoms will especially love Nisa. Made in Wellington, Nisa employees women from refugee and migrant backgrounds and has an incredible workplace culture, focusing on family and wellbeing. They’re a social enterprise that you can be proud to support.
If you live in Wellington, you can visit their workroom to see the making in action and purchase NZ made swimwear in person to save on postage packaging.
Size Range: SMALL - 2XLARGE
Cost: $129 - $249
Fabrics: ECONYL
Made in: New Zealand
Thunderpants: NZ Made Swimwear
Thunderpants offers unique styles that are perfect for people who are more comfortable showing a little less skin - modest swimwear! After a boyleg or a halter top? Thunderpants has a range of different styles that are hard to find elsewhere. This NZ made swimwear is manufactured in Carterton, New Zealand, 20 minutes away from Thunderpants HQ in Martinborough.
Size Range: SMALL - XXL
Cost: $88 - $158
Fabric: ECONYL
Made in: New Zealand
15% Discount Off Full Price Items, One Use Only - ETHICALLYKATE
Hakinakina: NZ Made Swimwear
Stand up paddle boarder? Surfer? Extra susceptible to sun burn? Hakinakina is perfect for water sports - no skimpy bikinis that fall off in the first wave and they cover you up from the harsh sun! This NZ made swimwear is made from 100% recycled plastic bottles, whether you’re wearing your new swimsuit for active wear or for the water, you can feel damn good about it.
Kate’s Review: I think Hakinakina is a particular game changer for people who love water sports. They have designed their NZ made swimwear in a way that means you could totally use it as activewear too. I love how sturdy and fitting these pieces are and totally acceptable to wear as a normal top/outfit too. The prints are really unique, so I often have comments from the most unlikely people. I highly rate Hakinakina.
FYI when the swimsuit top is wet, you can see my nipples - so if you are uncomfortable with other people seeing your nips under garments, then this won't be for you.
Size Range: 8 - 16
Cost: $150 - $280
Fabrics: Nylon from recycled plastics
Made in: New Zealand
10% Discount - Use code ETHICALLYKATE
Aurai Swimwear is dreamy to say the least. With a multitude of contemporary cuts and styles to choose from, it’s hard to pick a favourite from this Brazilian influenced brand. Made in Brazil by a family owned atelier, a bunch of the materials used are also made from regenerated materials such as plastics/fishing nets etc. Something extra special is that some of their ethically made swimwear caters to those who have had mastectomies - decorated with a cheeky print.
Kate’s Review: I have a Joanquina Swim Suit and it’s a favourite for winter swims especially. If I was a surfer, I would wear it a lot more too! I plan on taking up stand up paddle boarding, so this will be my go to. The zip at the front is really high quality and easy to do up, and as someone who dislikes padding in bikinis, I appreciate that there is the option to have the padding in or out.
Size Range: XS - XL
Cost: $59 - $129
Fabrics: AMNI SOUL ECO and ECONYL
Made in: Brazil
10% Discount code, one use per customer - ETHICALLYKATE
Shapes in the Sand certainly have nature in mind every step of the way. From the gorgeous patterns, to the local (Australian) manufacturing, to the elimination of plastic packaging - Shapes in the Sand is a brand to be proud to wear! The bee print is especially eye catching, but all prints are ideal for nature lovers.
Kate’s Review: I was given this swimsuit by a friend who didn’t fit it. It’s the swimsuit I travel most often with as I know it’s easy to clean, quick to dry, and never let me down. The prints are extra special in my opinion and show appreciation for our planet.
Sizes: 6 - 16
Cost: $89 - $239
Fabrics: EVO and ECONYl
Made in: Australia
Elle Evans Swimwear are nothing short of sweet and sophisticated. The pop-y colours and endearing styles are what make them stand out from the crowd. Made to order, Elle Evans is reducing their carbon impact in more ways than one. Especially for our more curvy beach goers, Elle Evans is the one for you.
Kate’s Review: My Elle Evans swimwear bikini was one of my first ethical fashion purchases. I purchased it back in October 2016. It’s still going strong! I’ve worn it all around the world and the one I have (unfortunately no longer sold) is reversible. I have also come to know the maker, Elle. I visit Elle every time I visit Melbourne and love spending time in her home based studio.
Sizes: XS - XXXL
Cost: $90 - $210
Fabrics: ECONYL
Made in: Australia
Salt is classic and chic; this Aussie brand knows style! Whether you prefer a simple tie up, or a classic bandeau, you’ll find it at Salt. Salt also upcycle materials, using recycled plastics in their garments. Their partnerships with Sustainable Coastlines make all the more sense - with a name like ‘Salt’, it’s clear the ocean is a top priority.
Sizes: 8 - 18
Cost: $90 - $120
Fabrics: ECONYL
Made in: Australia
Saltysea pieces are made to honour your ‘natural suit’ so you can be proud of your body, not ashamed or wanting to hide it. As well as having some super cute, bright colours, Saltysea stay transparently passionate about caring for the environment and people in their production lines. Whether you’re lounging on the sand or catching waves, you’ll look freaking awesome in Saltysea.
Sizes: XS - XL
Cost: $69 - $129
Fabrics: ECONYL
Made in: Bali
Cleonie Swimwear have an incredible offering of different styles in the niftiest colour ways. The incorporation of their wooden rings gives a signature look to their brand. Each order is made from scratch, which is just one of the ways the Cleonie goes hard on minimising their impact on the environment and ethically creating their swimwear.
Kate’s Review: Aside from the fact that I truly love having bananas on my boobs, this is the bikini I save for special occasions. The wooden rings can be a little annoying for water sports etc., so this is more suitable for when you’re hanging out in your bikini not doing much.
Sizes: XS - L
Cost: $99 - $220
Fabrics: CIENNA and ECONYL
Made in: Australia
Le Buns are simple and do the job perfectly. These classy cuts are versatile and timeless - you can’t go wrong with that. Le Buns maintain a great relationship with their manufacturers, which we love to hear, and are especially aware of dyes used and the cutting back the effect they have throughout that process.
Georgia’s Review: First off, I love that my Le Buns bikini is reversible - this means it feels like packing two bikinis instead of one! Sizing wise, I have a super long torso and Le Buns seems to cater super well to that, my bikini fits like a glove. Would 10/10 recommend Le Buns.
Sizes: 6 - 16
Cost: $89 - $99
Fabrics: Nylon blend from recycled plastics
Made in: China & Indonesia
Where to start?! The most beautiful prints, versatility of swimwear, model inclusivity, great size range, recycled plastic fabrics, safe work spaces, donations to great charities - ALULU has everything you could possibly want out.
Sizes: 8 - 20
Cost: $89 - $179
Fabrics: REPREVE and ECONYL
Made in: Bali
Patagonia is an outdoorsy brand that actually wants to PRESERVE nature too. They’re dedicated to long lasting items that will survive the thrashing surf! Patagonia swimwear is super practical, but also comes in some super funky prints. Patagonia stores are more readily found, so if you’re someone who is after NZ swimwear but want to try on before you buy, Patagonia will be ideal for you.
Sizes: XS - XXL
Cost: $89 - $320
Fabrics: Nylon/polyester from recycled polyester
Made in: Global (cannot track exactly)
Youswim are certainly unique. This British brand has one size fits all garments - that actually fit all sizes between 6 - 18, and are made ethically in the UK. Two simple styles, crazy cool colours, you pick one and you rock it! Youswim pieces are made to expand and retract, acknowledging the fact that most people don’t ever stay one size throughout their lifetime.
Sizes: 6 - 18
Cost: $201
Fabrics: Nylon sourced in Europe
Made in: England
We love Two Sparrow’s transparency… Their 2019 swimwear collection was made in an ethical grade factory in Guangzhou, China, but now their garments are made in an Ethical Accredited Australia factory in Melbourne. When this collection sells out, everything will be Australian made. Two Sparrow caught our eye because of their one of a kind pieces and lovely prints.
Sizes: XS - XL
Cost: $39 - 169
Fabrics: ECONYL
Made in: Australia
Imagine you’re lying on the beach relaxing and out of the corner of your eye you see someone you don’t recognise walking towards you. That hectic “Oh goodness they think I’m someone they know” anxiety hits, but instead they say... “Hey I LOVE your swimsuit, where is it from?”
If this happens… you’re probably wearing Baiia.
Made ethically in China, the soul of this company is all in making people feel absolutely beautiful in their garments while caring for the environment and the humans making them.
Sizes: 6 - 24
Cost: $106 - $309
Fabrics: Nylon from recycled plastics
Made in: China