Facing Swimwear Scepticism? These Brands Are Leading The Way In Sustainable, Alternative Design

Tiffanie Darke calls time on synthetic swimwear that is bad for your health and the ocean around you, but there some seaworthy alternatives. Here’s the lowdown.

Are There Any Sustainable Alternatives When It Comes To Swimwear?

Global health warning: summer is here and it’s not just sunscreen you need to worry about. Microplastics, tiny microfibres which are shed from synthetic clothing by friction and washing, are now so prevalent they can be found everywhere from the Arctic ice sheet to your mother’s placenta. Health concerns are mounting: evidence linking microplastics to liver damage, cancer and reproductive issues is stacking up.

And while you can avoid synthetics in most aspects of your wardrobe, with swimwear it’s almost impossible. Consider also that swimwear is worn right next to the thinnest parts of your skin: Neoprene, elastane, Lycra, polyester, Spandex – all plastic. Just bought a ‘sustainable’ swimsuit? Forget it: nine out of ten ‘sustainable’ swimsuits will simply be made from recycled plastic.

Vilebrequin

Leading the market for alternatives is a fabric from Pyratex, which uses blends of Oeko-tex certified polyamide, biodegradable elastane and Tencel lyocell. Away That Day uses it for its hit Cannes range, and it’s just as quick-drying and antibacterial as its plastic counterparts. It’s also much more breathable, meaning it can double as daywear. For that, also head to Finnish brand Andiata: its leotard-like suit looks great with jeans. Full marks for ‘less is more’ wardrobe flexibility.

Wool, the wonder fabric, also works for swimwear. New weaving technology can produce a super light fabric, which Vilebrequin is embracing in its 100 percent merino swim shorts (such a pity they added a polyamide mesh lining). Girls can head to Arena for a pioneering bikini and swimsuit range in 50 percent merino wool.

Wallien

B Corps Wallien and Finisterre offer swimsuits and wetsuits in Yulex, a natural rubber alternative to Neoprene. The light Yulex Wallien swimsuit is my go-to for cold water swimming, but be aware the natural rubber filling is sandwiched between plastic liners. Both Wallien and Stay Wild Swim encourage shoppers to buy a Guppy bag with every purchase: machine washing your swimsuit in this bag stops microfibres leaching out into the system.

For surfers who like being buffeted in wild seas, take founder Madeleine Wallien’s advice: ‘It’s crucial that materials neither pill nor degrade in chlorine or salt water, and for that you need quality. We source all our fabrics from an Italian mill: they deliver best-in-class performance and longevity.’ There’s one other option of course. You can always go naked.