best australian based sustainable swimwear brands

12 Australia-Based Sustainable Swimsuit Brands to Know

We reviewed sustainable swimwear brands in Australia. These companies make high-quality, long-lasting swimsuits. They have chic, timeless styles that are environmentally friendly.   

Elle Evans

~55 pieces ranging from $65-$173

Elle Evans is a sustainable swimwear line based in Melbourne. It was founded in 2013 by Ellie and Tanya Evans. 

The company uses ECONYL fabrics to craft bikinis and one-piece swimsuits in a diverse range of cuts, colors, and textures. Elle Evans makes all pieces after they’re ordered in the company’s ethical workshop.

The brand uses a carbon-neutral mailing system and eco-friendly shipping materials to offset carbon emissions. 

Elle Evans supports groups that source their materials, like the Healthy Seas Initiative. This environmental group collects the fishing nets and ocean litter. These recycled materials are integrated into the ECONYL fabrics.

Salt

~22 pieces ranging from $55-$73

Salt has been making handcrafted swimsuits In New Zealand since 2016. Founder Suzy Broad was inspired to create a minimalist brand from recycled materials. 

In a 2017 interview, Broad said, “Using recycled fabrics creates depth and a story behind every garment.” Broad is transparent about her swimwear’s process, from design to production.

Their swimwear comes in sold colors, with plenty of low-coverage options. Swimsuits are upcycled from ECONYL fabric. Pieces are handmade by ethical manufacturers in Australia. The company’s Take Back Initiative encourages customers to mail back their old swimwear, so it can be reused. 

Salt contributes to Carbon Click to neutralize its carbon impact. The brand partners with local environmental causes, like Sustainable Coastlines, to clean beaches from litter. 

emroce

emroce-swimwear-logo

~26 pieces ranging from $30-$61

Founder Emily La Rocca started the “zero waste swimwear” company in 2008. Emroce uses a puzzle-like cutting pattern, so they don’t waste materials. This zero waste business model saves waste from ending up in landfills.  

The eco-bikini company uses ECONYL fabrics to create swimwear. Patterns are carefully cut and sewn in emroce’s New Zealand studio. The company organizes its bikinis and one-pieces by style and color. It also makes nonbinary swimwear.  

Emroce advertises in-person classes to teach other New Zealand-based designers how to adopt a zero waste model. 

kekai

~75 pieces ranging from $50-$66

Kekai makes brightly colored, playful bikinis and one-piece swimsuits. With tropical prints, bandeaus, and cheeky cuts, this sustainable line offers a variety of options. Founder Lee-Anne Hay’s mission is to create high-quality, long-lasting swimwear that reduces ocean pollution.

The company uses locally sourced materials in their handmade swimwear. Recycled fishing nets and plastic bottles from the ocean are woven into ECONYL yarn. In order to reduce waste, kekai turns fabric scraps into hair accessories. The company uses water-based, eco-friendly inks to print designs.  

Leni Swims

~51 pieces ranging from $45-$67

Sisters Molly and Lucy Cochrane launched their sustainable swimwear line, Leni Swims, in 2017. Pieces have flattering cuts, low-coverage, and come in a range of bold hues.

The company instills preorders, so they can reduce manufacturing waste. Pieces are ethically handcrafted.

Their Swimsuits have recycled REPREVE and CARVICO textiles. Their CARVICO fabric is made from ECONYL yarn sourced from ocean waste. The fabrics have Oeko-Tex and Global Recycle Standard (GRS) certifications, which means they are non-toxic and production did not harm people or the environment.  

Leni Swims’ marketing does not encourage consumers to buy more than they need. Instead, the brand promotes their quality craftsmanship.

SNDSTNE

~52 pieces ranging from $75-$189

SNDSTNE is a Sydney-based swimwear company that designs luxurious, eco-conscious swimwear. The brand’s goal is to create superior, recyclable swimwear that doesn’t sacrifice style, comfort, and quality. 

All swimwear is designed and manufactured in Australia, which reduces the company’s carbon footprint. They make textiles from recycled plastic, for soft, durable, eco-friendly swimsuits. Bikinis and one-pieces have innovative cuts and a color-palette with ocean and land-inspired colors.  

Lionel the Label

~242 pieces ranging from $7-$88

With a focus on sustainability and fair labor practices, Lionel the Label creates fashion that is both eco-friendly and beneficial to the people who create the garments. Every collection is made to order. Lionel the Label designs and manufactures all their swimwear on site. 

This affordable brand has comprehensive sustainable swimwear offerings, made with 78% recycled Lycra. Tops include bralettes, triangle, square neck, halter, scoop neck, and supportive series.  

For bikini bottoms, customers have a range of coverage to choose from: Brazilian, cheeky, tie sides, high-waisted, high cut, and modest. The extensive selection also includes an array of prints and colors that exude a festival, coastal vibe. 

Isla in Bloom

~54 pieces ranging from $79-$99

This vibrant Australian lifestyle brand has sustainability at the forefront of its mission. It makes its swimwear collection from ocean pollution.

Swimwear ships in eco-friendly, biodegradable packaging. The brand works with manufacturers that are fair trade certified to ensure safe working conditions.   

Isla in Bloom has a collection of bikinis in bohemian and floral textiles. The brand focuses on form and function, ensuring high-quality pieces that hold up at the beach. Bottoms have high-waisted, tie side, and cheeky options. Customers can choose between triangle, underwire, balconette, and bralette styles. 

Seagrass Design

~20 pieces ranging from $55-$130

As an art and fashion label (based in Tasmania, Australia), Seagrass Design makes sustainable swimwear from natural and recycled fibers, including raw wood, recycled polyester Lycra, cotton, and linen.  

Seagrass Design’s fabrics have Oeko-Tex Standard 100 and Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certifications. These certifications indicate the brand meets standards for quality, safety, and sustainability. 

The company uses digital printing to cut down on water usage and electricity. Items are made to order.. Leftover materials are integrated into other products or donated. Seagrass Designs uses solar panels in its store to reduce its carbon emissions.  

Collections are nature-inspired. The current collection brings awareness to deforestation on the Tasmanian coast. Bikinis and one-piece suits have rainforest-inspired prints. 

Zazi Swim

~41 pieces ranging from $40-67

Zazi Swim crafts sustainable swimsuits using ECONYL textiles that come from recycled ocean waste. All shipping materials are compostable or recyclable. The company furthers its sustainability by planting a tree for each order to balance its carbon emissions.  

The brand has cheeky, low coverage bottoms with a variety of bright bikini tops to choose from. 

Salt Gypsy

~30 pieces ranging from $79-$249

Salt Gypsy makes sustainable swimwear for high-impact water sports. The company makes products locally in Byron Bay, reducing its carbon footprint. Artisans craft each piece from ECONYL yarn. 

Salt Gypsy’s swimwear comes in an array of high-coverage tops, bottoms, and one-piece suits. Swimwear has soft, sturdy fabric that makes it ideal for high-impact water sports. 

The brand is transparent about its supply chain. Salt Gypsy even shares a video of its circular production process, to show customers their eco-friendly ethics. 

Swimm

~25 pieces ranging from $56-$124

Swimm is an eco-conscious swimwear brand from Melbourne, established in 2018. Founder Chloe Peers envisioned swimwear derived from natural fibers, so it would decompose naturally. The company makes its swimsuits from merino wool sourced and produced in Australia.  

Their production focuses on small, high-quality batches. Swimm partners with sustainable farms and textile mills that have Responsible Wool Standard (RWS) and Ethical Clothing Australia certifications. 

Pieces come in solid colors and classic cuts. These timeless swimsuits can be mixed and matched for a wider variety of choices. 

Danielle Cappolla is a freelance fashion and beauty writer who contributes to publications around the world. She enjoys writing about new innovations in the fashion industry.

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