Sustainable Swimwear: 6 Things to Check Before You Buy

The short answer

Sustainable swimwear is swimwear made from recycled or lower-impact fabric, produced ethically, and built to last for years rather than one summer. The most important things to check are the fabric (look for regenerated nylon such as ECONYL® rather than virgin, oil-based nylon), how durable it is, where and how it is made, and whether the brand is transparent about all three. The most sustainable swimsuit is the one you wear for many seasons, so quality and fit matter as much as the label.

Sustainable Swimwear That Lasts: What to Look For

Sustainable swimwear is everywhere right now.

Woman in the Mentawai one piece in Olive by the sea — Sustainable swimwear is swimwear you keep wearing.

But not all “eco-friendly” swimwear is created equal.

Because true sustainability isn’t just about what a swimsuit is made from -
it’s about how long it lasts, how it performs, and how often you actually wear it.

The most sustainable swimsuit is the one you don’t need to replace after one season.

What Makes Swimwear Truly Sustainable?

To understand sustainable swimwear, you need to look beyond the label.

It comes down to three key things:

materials
durability
wearability

If one of these is missing, it’s not truly sustainable.

Recycled Materials Matter - But It’s Just the Start

Many sustainable swimwear brands use recycled fabrics like ECONYL®.

This regenerated nylon is made from:

discarded fishing nets
ocean plastic
industrial waste

It gives new life to materials that would otherwise pollute our oceans.

But fabric alone isn’t enough.

A swimsuit made from recycled material that falls apart quickly
isn’t sustainable.

Durability Is Everything

One of the biggest problems with traditional swimwear is how quickly it breaks down.

Exposure to:

saltwater
chlorine
sun

causes most swimsuits to:

stretch out
fade
lose shape

That’s why durability is one of the most important factors in sustainable swimwear.

High-quality construction and premium fabric allow a swimsuit to:

hold its shape
maintain compression
keep its colour

- wear after wear, season after season.

Designed to Be Worn - Not Replaced

Fast fashion encourages buying more.

Sustainable design does the opposite.

A well-designed swimsuit should:

feel good on your body
flatter your shape
perform in the water

Because when something fits well and works properly -
you naturally wear it more.

Performance Is Part of Sustainability

If a swimsuit doesn’t stay in place, you won’t wear it.

If it’s uncomfortable, you won’t reach for it.

That’s why performance matters:

secure fit
supportive structure
movement-friendly design

The more a swimsuit works for your lifestyle,
the more value you get from it.

Thoughtful Production Matters Too

Sustainability also includes how a product is made.

Look for brands that:

produce in small batches
prioritise quality over quantity
work with ethical manufacturers

This reduces waste and supports more responsible production practices.

Why Long Sleeve Swimwear Is a Smarter Choice

Long sleeve swimsuits naturally support a more sustainable approach.

They:

reduce the need for sunscreen
provide built-in sun protection
transition across multiple activities

Instead of owning multiple pieces, one well-designed sustainable long sleeve swimsuit can do it all.

The Ocean Soul Approach to Sustainable Swimwear

At Ocean Soul Swimwear, sustainability is built into every piece.

Our long sleeve swimsuits are:

crafted from premium Italian ECONYL®
designed to last up to twice as long as regular swimwear
ethically made in small batches in Bali

But more importantly - they’re designed to be worn.

With:

sculpting panelled construction
supportive, stay-put fit
timeless, flattering silhouettes

they become the swimsuit you reach for again and again.

A More Conscious Way to Wear Swimwear

Sustainable swimwear isn’t about having less - it’s about choosing better.

Choosing pieces that:

last longer
perform better
feel better on your body

Because when you invest in quality, you naturally consume less.

What fabric is sustainable swimwear made from?

Most swimwear is nylon or polyester, both made from oil. Sustainable options use recycled versions:

Fabric	Made from	Notes
ECONYL® regenerated nylon	Fishing nets, fabric scraps, carpet and industrial nylon waste	Same performance as virgin nylon; can be regenerated again
Recycled polyester (rPET)	Plastic bottles	Lower impact than virgin polyester; often less stretch
Virgin nylon or polyester	Crude oil	The standard; highest footprint
Limestone neoprene	Limestone rather than petroleum	Used in wetsuits and spring suits

Made from regenerated nylon

Long Sleeve Swimsuit: Sulawesi Nautical

Our best seller, crafted from Italian ECONYL® made with recycled ocean and landfill waste.

$230 AUDShop the Sulawesi →

Water to dinner

One Piece Swimsuit: Mentawai Midnight

A sleeveless one piece that works as a swimsuit and a bodysuit, in recycled Italian fabric.

$200 AUDShop the Mentawai →

The cost per wear test

Here is a simple way to think about value. Divide the price of a swimsuit by the number of times you will realistically wear it. A cheap bikini that fades after one summer might cost more per wear than a well made one piece you wear twice a week for three years. Sustainable swimwear often wins this test, because it is designed to last.

The greenest swimsuit is the one already in your drawer that you love wearing.

Three questions to ask before you buy

Will I wear this at least thirty times?
Does it work for more than one activity, such as swimming, surfing and lounging?
Can the brand tell me what it is made from and where it was made?