The Ultimate Australian Sustainable Swimwear List
Whether you grew up on Australia’s golden shores or not, spend one summer in our coastline-loving nation and you’ll quickly find yourself on the hunt for a line-up of super-cute and comfortable swimwear options.
It’s hard enough wading through the sea of decisions – what’s the right cut: cheeky? Brazilian? Boyleg? One-piece or two? – before you even get to considering whether your togs care about the ocean you’re about to jump into.
To help you get your beach body ready (Got a body? Going to the beach? You’re good-to-go!), we’ve rounded up a tidal wave of brands that put sustainability and substance front and centre – alongside sand and sea.
Grab your towel, slop on your reef-safe sunscreen and dive right into our ultimate Australian sustainable swimwear list – so you can just get on with the business of living your best mermaid life!
IMAGE ABOVE: CAMP COVE SWIM
LIANDRA
Celebrating Yolngu woman Liandra Gaykamangu’s connection with the natural world, this ethically made range features bold prints on recycled-fabric tops and bottoms, which can be mixed, matched, reversed and adjusted. Hello, versatility!
TASHA RUI
If it’s bright and beautiful you’re after, Tasha Rui has you covered. Founded by Natasha Lewis Honeyman, the Sydney-based brand takes its cues from her New Zealand heritage, featuring Māori motifs and other ancestral nods. Styles are produced in small batches using regenerated materials and, for those in need of a helping hand, Tasha Rui offers 10-minute “fit support sessions”. We’ll take all the support we can get, thanks.
INDIGO LUNA
The brand’s knitwear sets are so dreamy and drapey they almost have us pining for cooler climes. But the good news is this Balinese/Australian company also does a fine line of swimwear – and every one of its timeless designs is crafted from Pantelleria, an eco fabric created from regenerated ocean waste. Each piece is cut, sewn and dyed by human hands in a Balinese workshop, where Indigo Luna’s artisans and founders work side by side.
CHARLEE SWIM
It’s fair to say there was much excitement when the Peppermint team got wind of Charlee Swim’s ‘Terry’ styles (that pink boyleg is a bit of us!). The entire range is cut and sewn in Noosa, Qld, using recycled materials (including old carpets and fishing nets) and off-cuts are whipped up into straps and scrunchies.
ATMOSEA
Surf and swimwear brand Atmosea gives a nod to the 1980s, an era that unashamedly embraced aerobic wear and big hair (think a surfing Jane Fonda). Artfully combining comfort, cuteness and practicality, the fun range of bikini crops, wetsuits and even swimming bike shorts are made for an active sea life, both on and off the waves. Bringing it into the future, the brand uses recycled materials and ships its goods in compostable packaging made from cassava.
FAE
If it’s itsy bitsy teenie weenie you’re after, then check out the goods at Fae. Not only is the brand a purveyor of all things small and beautiful, it takes its planetary commitment seriously: there’s recycled materials (fishing nets, plastic bottles et al); goods packed in compostable bags; and workers in Bali who receive health insurance, paid holidays and a decent wage.
CAMP COVE SWIM
Try saying “Camp Cove cossies” five times fast – you’ll have to practise as everyone on the beach will be asking where you got your cute bathers. Designed and made in Australia, and printed using a water-free dyeing process, this brand is good in the water AND for it!
SALT GYPSY
Surfing is challenging enough (Sharks! Jellyfish! Falling off the board immediately!) without worrying about the eco-cred of your suit. Enter Salt Gyspy’s range of UPF50+ minimalist styles – they’re ethically made using regenerated nylon and polyester, so you can hang ten, care-free. Surf’s up!
HAKEA
This ethically produced swimwear line lives up to its native-flower namesake – a bloom known for its beauty and resilience. Designed for longevity and cast in a dreamy palette of earthy colourways, Hakea’s range is made in small batches in Bali and Byron Bay on an ‘inspiration only’ basis.
WAVERLEY WRASHIE
Created by Peppermint‘s very own super-talented, multi-hyphenate founder, Kelley Sheenan, and winner of an Australian Good Design Award, this unique wrap swim top is designed for long days in the sun. Made ethically in Australia using recycled nylon (from discarded fishing nets and carpets) and available in an extensive size range (from 6-24), the Wrashie has stylish, sustainable sun safety all wrapped up!
SPELL
We all know this Byron Bay institution as a purveyor of the floatiest of dresses, but did you know that Spell also makes the sweetest swimsuits? The wistful vintage prints and shapes may have you pining for the 1970s but the construction is all modern, thanks to the brand’s ethical production methods and use of sustainably produced Econyl. Take the day off, harried eco-consciousness – Spell got this.
YOUNG SQUAD
Old or young, you deserve to unleash the bathing beauty within. With women’s sizes ranging from 6-24, plus matchy-matchy options for kids and men, Young Squad’s bold styles are made in Oz, featuring Italian lycra and lining made from plastic bottles – yay!
BAABY
Designed and made in Australia, Baaby’s pieces are crafted from recycled nylon and include both skimpy and sturdy bikinis, plus a crinkly one-piece in classic black and white. You’ll definitely want Baaby in your beach-going corner…
LÉ BUNS
This Melbourne brand makes the comfiest organic bras and undies, so it makes sense that Lé Buns knows what it’s doing when it comes to your bikinis, too! Not only are they made in ethical overseas factories using regenerated nylon, some pieces can be styled up to six different ways – making them both flexible and fashionable. Lé fun in lé sun!
ZAZI SWIM
Made with recycled polyamide, Zazi’s delicate bikinis and one-pieces evoke thoughts of glamorous days spent lounging by the pool, bottomless cocktail in hand – ladies of leisure, apply within!
SHAPES IN THE SAND
As well as being Australian-made and using our friend Econyl, Shapes In The Sand aims to apply sustainability to every area of the business – from the brand’s dissolvable hygiene liners to its recycled and regenerated packaging, swing tags and care labels. Plus, the makers support a different wildlife or environmental charity with each new print release.
DK ACTIVE
Proudly designed, cut and sewn in Brisbane (in a solar-powered studio, no less!), this ultra-breathable sporty range is moisture-wicking, quick-drying and made using recycled nylon.
HICKEY HARDWARE
Known for bright and bold geometric patterns, Perth-based fashion label Hickey Hardware makes graphic swimmers that put the cool in ethical (ahem!). The styles are ethically manufactured in Indonesia and made in small batches. If it’s good enough for Kevin Parker from Tame Impala, it’s good enough for us.
UNE PIECE
Channelling all the glamour and elegance of the south of France, Une Piece’s signature Original Sexie Rashie, bikini separates and one-pieces are designed to make you feel simultaneously sophisticated and supported. Made from recycled UPF50+ material in sizes 6-24, we say, oui oui!
ALULU
Want swimwear you can move in, which also stops you in your tracks with its loveliness? We’ve gone goo goo for Alulu. Designed with sustainability in mind, we love that this small family business makes all of its pretty printed and classic suits in ethical conditions using premium Italian and American regenerated nylon, and is available in sizes 8-24.
THUNDERPANTS
Maybe you’ve taken a cheeky swim in your undies before, but now it’s time to level up and swim in your Thundies! The beloved Thunderpants brand has branched out into togs, offering crops, swim shorts, high-waisted pants and swim dresses, all made from sustainable Econyl and designed to be “staunch” for your swimming adventures! OK, yes, we know that Thunderpants is a New Zealand brand but like pavlova and Sam Neill, and for the sake of this Australian roundup, we’re claiming them as our own!
NISA
You probably know Nisa for its knickers and other top-drawer finery, but did you know that it also offers reversible swimwear created from recycled nylon and deadstock fabric? And, yes, Nisa is technically (ahem, absolutely) a Kiwi brand but we reckon its values are true blue (case in point: the Wellington-based label prides itself on employing women from refugee and migrant backgrounds).
OBUS
Love a matching set? Take a gander at Melbourne brand Obus’s recycled-nylon swimwear collection: bathers of all kinds brim with retro blooms, just waiting to be paired with matching hats, cover-ups and sling bags. And if that’s not enough, Obus also sells sunnies in complementary shades, made by Sito using plant-based acetate.
ELLE EVANS
If picturing Elle Evans measuring and sewing your made-to-order swimsuit with the greatest care (to limit wastage) isn’t enough to have you adding to cart, then read on. Each sustainable swimwear piece is made using a mix of recycled and regenerated fibres and Elle donates a percentage of her profits back to the Healthy Seas Initiative. Cleverly designed and constructed to flatter a wide variety of bodies, the line ranges from XXS-3XL.
BONDI BORN
B Corp-certified and made in Australia, with charity donations for every sale, plus plastic-free swing tags, labels and post satchels… consider us Bondi bound! The Sydney-based label adheres to the highest ethical and sustainable practices, producing a range of slick, sculptural and supportive one-pieces and bikinis in simple block colours. Made using Sculpteur fabric, the pieces are said to last 10 times longer than standard swim material.
MARVELL LANE
Busting to wear bikinis but can never get the right size on top? We love Marvell Lane’s focus on comfort for babes with boobs. The brand caters for sizes 8D to 16H and provides a comprehensive online sizing service that includes advice on Sister Styles (a clever way to get around the dreaded ‘Sold Out’ situation). Even better, Marvell Lane wants to fit your ethics, too; the range is made with Econyl and is sent in compostable packaging.
ACTIVE TRUTH
Created with a mission to “celebrate women regardless of size, shape or stage of life by offering performance activewear across an inclusive size range”, Active Truth is walking the talk, with sizes ranging from 6-26. Known and loved for its extensive tights range, the company has taken the dive into active swimwear – all made using recycled nylon and sent without swing tags and unnecessary printed invoices.
PEONY
We think you’ll feel as fresh as a daisy and as pretty as a rose in the range of sweet pieces from Peony. The independent, family-owned company says that every part of its swimwear, from the lining to the packaging, is made from recycled content, including Econyl and Repreve, plus plant-based materials. Flower power!
BAIIA
Sustainable bathers that give you multiple options for your swim look? Sign us up! Super supportive and available in a lush range of nature-inspired patterns, Baiia’s cult Wrapsuits are reversible and made from 100% regenerated waste materials, with sizing ranging from 6-24. Hurrah!
BEYOND THE SEA
Want to make all your pin-up dreams come true? Take a peek at Sydney-based Beyond The Sea, which creates vintage-style bathers in delightfully bold retro prints. Designed and made in Australia, and available in sizes 10-24, we think they’ll make you feel like strutting to the sea (and beyond)!
