Finding truly sustainable swimwear can be a challenge. Most is made from virgin plastics like nylon and polyester, which shed microplastics and aren’t biodegradable. There are a handful of local brands, however, that are dedicated to using more sustainable alternatives, such as recycled nylon or polyester made from ocean waste.
Making high-quality swimwear ethically involves careful pattern-making, specialised machines, skilled handwork, and durable, certified fabrics. Swimwear made by fast fashion brands can’t meet these standards, and these pieces will age quickly and poorly, ending up in the landfill soon after purchase.
Here are 13 local labels that take care to create swimsuits to last for many summers to come.
SpiritGirl Activewear
SpiritGirl Activewear produces well-made activewear locally using recycled textiles. For every product sold, SpiritGirl Activewear recovers 1kg of plastic from the environment, thanks to a partnership with CleanHub. The ECONYL® Yarn Collection is made from regenerated nylon yarns and other post-consumer materials, and the label’s printed collections are made from recycled plastic bottles (recycled PET).
- Price range: R1,000
- Browse here
Chasing Bees
Chasing Bees is a family-run apparel and accessories label that carries a range of patterned men’s swimming trunks. The trunks are all designed, printed and sewn in Cape Town. The company supports environmental conservation by donating a minimum of 5% of the profit from each pair sold to Ujubee, an organisation dedicated to the study of wild bees and other pollinators, as well as the conservation of their habitats.
- Price range: R890
- Browse here
SÁLTI Swimwear
SÁLTI Swimwear offers a made-to-order system for its pieces, allowing you to mix and match bikini sets and choose your own colours and prints. Each garment is produced using REPREVE®, made from recycled plastic bottles collected from beaches, and is known for its excellent elasticity, breathability, and UV protection. REPREVE® also has natural moisture-wicking properties, high colour fastness, and strong chlorine resistance, which add to its durability.
- Price range: R199 – R730
- Browse here
Sassea Swim
Sassea Swim incorporates inclusivity into its sustainability efforts, designing for a wide range of sizes and body shapes. Each piece is made from 100% recycled plastic waste by a team of women. Sassea Swim’s pieces are reversible, giving you more wear out of your item.
- Price range: R860 -R1,450
- Browse here
Nana Kid Swim
Cape Town-based Nana Kid Swim creates swimwear and activewear for children, using recycled OKEO-TEX and Reach-certified fabric. Each swimsuit is chlorine-resistant and offers UV protection of 50+.
- Prices range: R1375 – more
- Browse here
Shack Baby
Shack Baby creates crochet bikinis and accessories. Each piece is designed and handmade in Cape Town by co-founders Zelda and Telisha, using 100% cotton.
- Price: R450 – R900
- Browse here
Atlas Label
Atlas Label’s swimwear is made entirely from ECONYL®, a regenerated nylon made from landfill and ocean waste. Its swimwear is quick-drying with a four-way stretch and a UPF rating of 50+.
- Price range: From R690
- Browse here
BeachCult Swim
BeachCult Swim is known for its small batch collections that feature limited edition prints by local artists and illustrators. The label’s swimwear is made from recycled nylon and plastic, which offers UV protection and is chlorine-resistant, and its apparel is made from biodegradable plant-based fibres. Everything is printed using eco-conscious technology and manufactured in small, family-run ateliers and female-led studios.
- Price range: R570 – R1,090
- Browse here.
January & June Swim
January & June Swim is another South African swimwear brand using ECONYL® – Italian lycra, which has been manufactured from recycled fishing nets and plastic. All its products are also shipped in AVANI biodegradable bags.
- Price range: From R700
- Browse here
Gabrielle Swimwear
Gabrielle Swimwear uses REPREVE® fabric, which is 82% recycled plastic cleaned up from coastlines, to produce a broad range of plain and printed swimsuits. All trims, printing and production are done locally, and the Lycra used is certified by Reach and OKEO-TEX.
- Price range: R250 – R1,450
- Browse here
Lily Label
Lily Label is a woman-owned brand, and each piece is manufactured by a combination of hand and machine work by their small team of women. The label’s designs are made from ECONYL, regenerated nylon waste. Additionally, for each online purchase, a tree is planted in Madagascar, thanks to a partnership with Ecologi.
- Price range: R469 – R1,199
- Browse here
Shades of Jade
Shades of Jade caters to a wide range of sizes, from A-DD cup sizes. Swimwear is made from REPREVE®, and swingtags are made from recycled paper.
- Price range: R250 – R950
- Browse here
Snow Swimwear
Snow Swim produces swimwear in bold colours and patterns. The brand’s Nylon Lycra is OEKO-TEX certified, UPF 50+ and chlorine-resistant.
- Price range: R599 – R899
- Browse here
- Images supplied and sourced online.
- Cover image: Shades of Jade
