Your Ultimate Guide To Ethical Swimwear Brands In The UK

Looking for ethical swimwear? Try my favourite sustainable and eco-friendly UK brands, catering for men, women, and children.

Conventional swimwear tends to be manufactured from virgin plastics, which are made from fossil fuels. These include fabrics such as nylon and polyester.

However, these plastics are far from fantastic. Brands like using these types of fabrics because they are cheap. Yet producing them is highly energy-intensive, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions and worsening climate change.

The manufacturing process also requires large amounts of water and chemicals, adding to the overall impact on the environment.

Thankfully, there has been a lot of sustainable innovation over the last few years. Now there are heaps of responsible brands offering UK swimmers lots of exciting eco-friendly options across all budgets and sizes.

First, let me share with you the more sustainable and ethical swimwear fabrics to know about, before sharing my favourite eco-conscious brands for men, women, and children.

Eco-Friendly Alternatives To Nylon & Polyester Swimwear

Normally, I would advise sustainable shoppers to look for natural fabrics. However, in the case of swimwear, I’m not aware of any brand that has been able to make swimwear from 100% natural fabrics, whilst retaining the stretchy and shape-retaining properties that we expect swimwear to have.

All is not lost, though. There has been lots of innovation in this area, so that you can still shop as sustainably as possible.

The brands I’ve focused on all make their swimwear from recycled plastic. This is because the main fabrics to look out for when shopping for eco-friendly swimwear are:

• Econyl – This is an innovative recycled fabric that is made from regenerated ocean plastics and discarded fishing nets, as well as other waste products such as carpet offcuts. Despite being made from waste, there’s nothing second-rate about this fabric – it creates a high-performance swimwear fibre.
• Repreve – This is another sustainable fabric that’s made from recycled bottles. These fabrics reduce waste and require fewer resources than virgin synthetics.
• Newlife -This is a recycled polyester made entirely from post-consumer plastic bottles, in a process that uses less water, energy, and chemicals than some other recycling methods.
• Q-Nova – A recycled nylon made from pre-consumer waste, requiring fewer resources to produce.
• Yulex – A plant-based alternative to neoprene, used in sustainable wetsuits and swim gear, and sourced from responsibly harvested rubber trees.

Guide to Ethical & Sustainable Swimwear Brands

Now that you’re up to speed with all the sustainable fabrics out there, here are my top recycled, eco-friendly, and ethical swimwear picks for both women and men. I’ve also found some great brands for kids.

The price range key for this guide is £ = Under £50 | ££ = £50 – 100 | £££ = £100+ 

Rapanui

• Budget: £ – ££
• Caters for: Men (sizes S – XXL) and Women (UK sizes 8 – 18)
• Available directly from Rapanui

Isle of Wight-based Rapanui makes all of its swimwear from responsible fabrics, including Econyl and Newlife. It’s Oeko-Tex certified, meaning it’s been independently verified as not containing any harmful chemicals, and comes in plastic-free packaging.

Find swimsuits and bikini tops and bottoms for women, and swim shorts for men. All of these provide UV protection and are resistant to sun cream, oil, and chlorine – making them more durable.

Get 10% off your first order at Rapanui when you sign up for its mailing list.

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Finisterre

• Budget: ££ – £££
• Caters for: Men (XS – XXL) and Women (UK sizes 6 – 22)
• Available directly from Finisterre

Cornwall-based Finisterre makes swimwear for men and women who want to live active lifestyles. With standard swimwear made from Econyl, as well as all different types of cold water swimming gear made from Yulex, there are heaps of durable, practical, and stylish options for wherever you like to swim.

A handy repair service is offered to help extend the life of your garments. And when your swimwear is done, you can trade it in for recycling either online or at any Finisterre store, and receive a discount voucher towards your next purchase.

In terms of ethics, Finisterre is a certified B-Corp, which independently verifies that Finisterre is committed to prioritising the environment and society in the way it does business. Finisterre is also committed to full transparency in its supply chain – holding its partners to the same high standards they expect of themselves.

Get 10% off your first order at Finisterre when you sign up for its mailing list.

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Albaray

• Budget: £ – ££
• Caters for: women (UK sizes 8 – 18)
• Available directly from Albaray

If you’re looking for ethical women’s swimwear on a budget, then Albaray is one brand to look at. It makes all of its stylish swimsuits and bikinis from eco-friendly materials, such as recycled nylon and polyester. These are designed for longevity and durability.

Albaray also prioritises ethical manufacturing processes, ensuring that workers are treated fairly and paid appropriately. Its factories are audited to ensure they meet the highest standards when it comes to health and safety, environment, business ethics, and labour standards. 

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Nobody’s Child

• Budget: £
• Caters for: Women (UK sizes 4 – 18)
• Available directly from Nobody’s Child

Nobody’s Child isn’t the most sustainable brand. There’s a lot of fast-fashion language used on the site, such as “trending” and “latest to land,” that doesn’t sit well with me. Plus, it doesn’t disclose who makes its clothes or where – something I’d really like to see.

However, Nobody’s Child does have some characteristics that are a good step in the right direction – particularly for budget-friendly swimwear. It uses Repreve recycled polyester in place of virgin polyester. Nobody’s Child also offers a reasonably priced repairs and alterations service – helping you to make your clothes last longer.

Nobody’s Child also says that all of its direct suppliers of finished garments are audited to SMETA or BSCI standards. SMETA (Sedex Members Ethical Trade Audit) is an audit framework that assesses a company’s supply chain practices, focusing on labour rights, health and safety, environment, and business ethics. Meanwhile, BSCI (Business Social Compliance Initiative) is a similar initiative that promotes ethical business practices.

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Frugi

• Budget: £
• Caters for: kids (newborn to age 10 years)
• Available from M&S

For sustainable swimwear for babies and kids, try Frugi. This bright and colourful brand specialises in creating kids’ clothes from sustainable fabrics, including recycled polyester. From swimsuits and board shorts to sun-safe rash vests and suits – these all have a UPF rating of 50+, which keeps delicate skin safe in the sun. It’s all affordable too – expect to pay no more than £30.

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Aspiga

• Budget: £££
• Caters for: Women (UK sizes 8 – 18)
• Available directly from Aspiga

For women’s ethical swimwear in stylish prints and beautiful colours, Aspiga – a fair trade and ethical and sustainable fashion brand based in London – is well worth checking out.

As a certified B-Corp, Aspiga has been independently assessed as meeting high standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability.

Aspiga’s collection of swimsuits and bikinis is made with recycled polyester that has UV protection (SPF50+).

Its flattering double-layered styles are designed to fit beautifully. Some styles offer ruching, which provides a flattering silhouette for all figures, and some offer fuller bust coverage.

Aspiga partners with small suppliers and skilled craftspeople in India and Kenya who share its ethos to create its beautiful fair trade pieces.

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Colorful Standard

• Budget: ££
• Caters for: Men (Sizes XS – 2XL)
• Available from END Clothing

For ethical swim shorts for men in bold, bright colours, then head straight to Colorful Standard.

This sustainable brand – which specialises in basics in bright colours – makes all of its swim shorts ethically in Portugal.

Its shorts are made from 56% recycled Q-NOVA. This is an innovative recycled nylon fibre, which has all the stretchy properties of nylon but with a much smaller carbon footprint. Colorful Standard also plants one tree for every order placed.

Find swim shorts in 4 bold colour options – priced around £60 – to make a statement on the beach or at the swimming pool.

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Modibodi

• Budget: £ – ££
• Caters for: Women (UK sizes 6 – 22)
• Available directly from Modibodi

Looking for ethical period swimwear to give confidence in and out of the water during your time of the month? If so, then Modibodi is the place to go.

Famous for its period pants, Modibodi’s swimwear gives you the protection you need without compromising on style.

This female-founded brand uses 78% pre-consumer recycled nylon. And with solid colours to fun brights and patterns, there are heaps of size-inclusive swimwear options to make a splash sustainably.

As well as being size-inclusive, some styles – like the one pictured – offer adjustable wrap details. This means you can adjust your bust and waist to your preferred fit.  

Get 10% off your first order when you sign up for the Modibodi newsletter.

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Boden

• Price range: £ – ££
• Caters for: women (UK sizes 6 – 20), men (sizes S – XXL), and kids (age 0 – 14 years)
• Available directly from Boden

Made from recycled polyamide and lined with recycled polyester, Boden has quietly been making its swimwear more sustainable over the past few years.

With fun patterns and classic colours, you can shop for women’s swimsuits and bikinis in a multitude of styles.

Men are also catered to. Find swim shorts and board shorts – made from recycled polyester – all under £50, and again in a variety of prints and colours.

And for kids (from zero to age 14), find sun-safe rash vests and swimwear from £17.

And with Boden’s 365-day quality guarantee – where you can return anything that does not meet Boden’s quality standards up until one year after your order arrives – you can be sure that Boden stands by the quality of its garments.

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Fat Face

• Price: £
• Caters for: Men (XS – 4XL), Women (UK sizes 6 – 24), and kids (0 – 13 years)
• Available directly from Fat Face

Fat Face, a newly minted B-Corp (a business that meets high standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability), now makes pretty much all of its swimwear with recycled polyester.

Whether you are looking for men’s swim shorts, women’s swimsuits, bikinis, tankinis, long-sleeved rash vests, or kids’ swimwear, it’s all here at high street prices.

These all come in a variety of fun patterns and prints that you’ll love to wear, whether it’s on a sunny beach or at your local swimming pool.

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Fletch & Mills

• Price: £ – ££
• Caters for: Women (UK sizes 8 – 16), Men (size S – XL), and Kids (age 1 – 9 years)
• Available at Etsy

Finally, if you have ever dreamed of matching your family at the beach or swimming pool, then take a look at Fletch & Mills.

Fletch & Mills makes printed swimsuits and swim shorts, handmade from recycled polyester sourced from plastic bottles.

Its fun prints are available for men, women, boys, and girls. This means that everyone in the family can match, whether it’s father and daughter, mother and son, or brother and sister, or any combination of your choice.

Swimwear can also be purchased individually if you’re just looking for recycled swimwear for yourself – twinning is not compulsory!

What To Look For When Choosing Sustainable Swimwear

Whilst I’ve already covered what fabrics to look for, ethical production is just as important as the fabric choice. Most ethical brands are keen to share as much information as possible, so they should clearly tell you where their products are made, who makes them, and under what conditions. If this information is vague or missing, it’s a red flag.

Greenwashing is common, so look beyond buzzwords like “eco-friendly” or “conscious.” A truly responsible brand will back up claims with facts, like measurable carbon reductions, closed-loop production, or commitments to circular fashion.

You can also look for third-party certifications to help back up environmental claims. Labels that you can look for, specific to swimwear, include:

• OEKO-TEX Standard 100 – a certification scheme that guarantees textiles are free from harmful chemicals.
• Bluesign – ensures safe and sustainable textile production with minimal environmental impact.
• GRS – Short for Global Recycled Standard, this verifies the content of recycled materials in a final product.
• Cradle to Cradle Certified -This certification means a product is designed to be safely reused and recycled when you’re done with it instead of becoming waste.
• B Corp – This independent certification means a company balances profit with looking after the people in its supply chain and minimising its impact on the environment.

How to Wash Swimsuits Sustainably

Even fabrics made from recycled plastic shed microplastics when washed. Ideally, gently hand-wash your swimsuit in cool water for the lowest environmental impact. However, if you need to wash your swimwear in the washing machine, I’d recommend the use of a Guppyfriend microplastic filter to help prevent microplastics from getting into the waterway.

Try my guide to avoiding microplastics when washing your clothes for more tips.

More Sustainable Wardrobe Inspiration

If you are looking for more help in building an ethical wardrobe, then I’ve got heaps of useful guides for you to explore. These include:

• My big women’s ethical clothing guide.
• My ultimate men’s sustainable clothing guide.
• And my guide to kids ethical clothing.