The Rise of Sustainable Swimwear in Fashion Making Waves
Swimwear fashion is changing. Sustainability is now a key focus as people have become more environmentally conscious. As buyers prefer eco-friendly choices, the demand for sustainable swimwear is rising, shaping the future of the industry. Brands are now prioritizing sustainable materials, ethical production processes, and innovative design techniques to create swimwear that aligns with both fashion trends and environmental responsibility. Vitamin A, a California-based swimwear brand, has revolutionized the industry with its EcoLux fabric, a sustainable material from recycled nylon and Lycra XTRA LIFE, developed to enhance durability while reducing waste. Vitamin A creates eco-friendly swimwear using safe materials and low-impact methods. Its approach inspires other brands to make similar changes. With growing demand for sustainable fashion, its innovation, EcoLux, proves that swimwear can be stylish, comfortable, and long-lasting while being good for the planet. More brands are now adopting similar eco-friendly practices.
Sustainable Innovations in Swimwear: Eco-Friendly Materials and Low-Impact Manufacturing
In 2023, Patagonia expanded its sustainable swimwear range by incorporating Fair Trade Certified sewing and ECONYL regenerated nylon, a material sourced from discarded fishing nets and industrial plastic, reducing ocean waste while maintaining performance. Similarly, Speedo introduced PowerFLEX Eco fabric, composed of 78% ECONYL fiber, offering enhanced durability and superior resistance to chlorine degradation, making it ideal for performance swimwear. Swimwear brands are changing how they make clothes to help the environment. They now use recycled materials and make products in a way that creates less waste and pollution. This is part of a bigger trend called circular fashion, where companies try to make clothes last longer and be less harmful to the planet. As more people care about sustainability, brands are focusing on both style and eco-friendly practices to shape the future of swimwear. Other sustainable alternatives include Repreve, a fiber made from recycled plastic bottles, organic cotton, hemp, and biodegradable fabrics that reduce dependency on non-renewable resources. These materials not only offer the same elasticity and durability as conventional fabrics but also help reduce waste and prevent ocean pollution.
However, traditional swimwear manufacturing uses a lot of water for dyeing, which often pollutes rivers and lakes. To fix this, many brands are finding better ways to dye fabrics. For example, Outerknown, started by surfer Kelly Slater in 2015, uses eco-friendly dyeing and a water recycling system. This system reuses up to 98% of the water, cutting down waste and pollution.
Similarly, Aquafil’s ECONYL regenerated nylon is revolutionizing sustainable swimwear and is used by top brands like Vitamin A, Speedo, and Adidas. This innovative material is crafted from 100% recycled nylon waste, including discarded fishing nets and industrial plastic, reducing environmental pollution. One of its key sustainability features is the integration of solution-dyeing techniques, which consume 75% less water and produce 90% fewer carbon emissions compared to conventional dyeing methods. By using this cutting-edge material, brands tend to minimize their ecological footprint while offering consumers high-performance, durable, and stylish swimwear without compromising on environmental responsibility.
In addition, brands like Mara Hoffman use digital printing to cut down on dye waste and pollution. Girlfriend Collective is open about its supply chain, using only recycled materials and ethical labor in its Vietnamese factory.
Timeless Designs and Eco-Friendly Technologies
Consumers are embracing slow fashion, encouraging sustainable swimwear brands to create timeless, durable pieces instead of trendy, short-lived designs. Fast fashion has led to massive textile waste—about 92 million tons of clothing are discarded every year (Ellen MacArthur Foundation, 2021). To counter this, swimwear brands are focusing on high-quality materials and functional designs that last longer and reduce waste. Multifunctionality is another key trend shaping the market. Reformation, a U.S.-based brand, launched its swimwear line in 2021, featuring reversible bikinis and one-pieces with adjustable straps, allowing for extended usability. Additionally, OHOY Swim, founded in 2016, produces mix-and-match separates crafted from ECONYL, a regenerated nylon derived from ocean plastic and industrial waste, promoting versatility.
Furthermore, technological advancements are driving significant innovations in sustainable swimwear, enabling brands to enhance both performance and environmental responsibility. Companies are adopting biodegradable fabrics, 3D knitting technology, and plant-based alternatives to reduce textile waste. In 2021, PANGAIA, a materials science brand, introduced PEBAX RNEW®, a plant-based, high-performance elastomer made from castor beans, offering an eco-friendly alternative to traditional synthetic fibers. Adidas launched its "Made to be Remade" swimwear collection in 2022, featuring zero-waste knitted designs that are fully recyclable at the end of their lifecycle. Similarly, FlexSea, a UK-based start-up, is developing biodegradable seaweed-based textiles that decompose in natural environments, potentially eliminating microplastic pollution. 3D knitting technology, established by brands like Adidas and Speedo, has revolutionized swimwear production by eliminating fabric waste.
Green Innovation and Consumer Demand
Sustainable swimwear is gaining traction among sports and leisure enthusiastic, driven by eco-friendly materials like regenerated nylon and recycled polyester. Swimmers and athletes want durable, high-performance fabrics that resist chlorine, dry quickly, and protect against UV rays. There's also a rising demand for swimwear that's not just functional and stylish but also eco-friendly.
For instance, in January 2024, California-based swimwear brand Vitamin A, known for manufacturing feminine deigns with sustainable innovation, has now become the first company to introduce a swimwear collection crafted from 100% recycled fabric developed by Hyosung and Hung Yen Knitting & Dyeing. The ReLux collection is a significant step in sustainable swimwear fashion. Hyosung and Hung Yen introduced an innovative eco-friendly fabric made from 80% recycled nylon from discarded fishing nets and 20% recycled Spandex. This groundbreaking material, unveiled at Interfilière Paris last summer, showcases a commitment to sustainability in swimwear.
Swimwear fashion is moving toward products. More people are choosing eco-friendly options, which is encouraging the industry to focus on biodegradable fabrics, recycling programs, and even rental or resale models for swimwear. However, challenges like high costs and slow adoption are still there. Making swimwear more sustainable can help reduce fashion’s impact on the environment. By using eco-friendly materials, fair production practices, and durable designs, brands can meet customer demand while also creating a more responsible fashion industry.
Women contribute more to swimwear sales than men, and this pattern is also seen in sustainable swimwear. As more people care about eco-friendly fashion, brands are focusing on women's collections with stylish and sustainable options. Shoppers now look for swimwear that looks good and matches their values, leading to more use of materials like recycled nylon, regenerated fibers, and plant-based fabrics.
Additionally, Sustainability in women's swimwear goes beyond using eco-friendly materials. Many brands now focus on ethical production, fair wages, and reducing water use during manufacturing. More consumers, especially women, want transparency and sustainability in fashion. This demand is awakening brands to improve their sourcing and production practices, making sustainability a lasting change rather than just a trend.
Europe Leads the Way in Sustainability Progress
Several fashion brands have emerged as pioneers in the sustainable swimwear industry, integrating eco-friendly practices into their designs and supply chains. These companies are establishing new standards for innovation, ethical production, and environmental responsibility.
The EU Green Deal, a comprehensive policy framework developed to achieve climate safety by 2050, puts a strong emphasis on sustainability in the textile and apparel industry. The textile industry, including swimwear, is a key focus of the Circular Economy Action Plan, aiming for greater environmental responsibility.
Europe is a home for some of the world's most influential swimwear brands and designers and thus plays a pivotal role in shaping industry standards. Additionally, Europe's thriving swimwear industry is supported by leading trade fairs dedicated to innovation and sustainability. These events help brands highlight eco-friendly materials, ethical production, and circular design, strengthening the EU's role in sustainable swimwear fashion.
Simultaneously, European brand GUNAS takes a different approach, focusing on vegan swimwear made from plant-based and recycled materials. By removing animal-based materials, these brands appeal to the growing demand for cruelty-free and eco-friendly fashion. They show that style and sustainability can go hand in hand, inspiring the industry to embrace a circular economy. Their success proves that sustainable swimwear isn’t just a trend but a step toward a more ethical and eco-friendly future. This fusion of fashion and sustainability empowers youth to make a positive impact, reinforcing the idea that responsible choices in swimwear can contribute to a cleaner, healthier planet.
Future Trends and Expectations
With the improvement of technology, sustainable fabrics are becoming stronger, more comfortable, and stylish, making them a popular choice for swimwear. More brands are focusing on recycling textiles and using biodegradable materials, which could change the swimwear industry. Companies that choose sustainability may help protect the environment and attract more eco-conscious customers.
Regulations like the EU Green Deal are also encouraging brands to adopt greener practices. Europe is leading in sustainable textile innovations, and events like Interfilière Paris are helping spread eco-friendly swimwear trends worldwide. Well-known brands like Vitamin A, Mara Hoffman, and Patagonia are already using recycled materials and ethical production methods, setting an example for others.
.This transformation highlights a broader shift in the fashion industry, where sustainability is no longer an option but is expected to become a necessity. With more consumers choosing eco-friendly options, sustainable swimwear could become the norm. This shift is expected to lead to a more ethical and environmentally conscious fashion industry.
Allied Market Research provides in-depth insights and data-driven analysis to help swimwear brands and manufacturers explore the shift toward sustainability. By utilizing AMR’s expertise, vendors can identify emerging trends, understand consumer preferences, and adopt best practices in sustainable materials, ethical sourcing, and circular fashion. AMR’s research empowers businesses to develop eco-friendly swimwear collections, optimize supply chains, and align with regulatory frameworks like the EU Green Deal. With detailed market intelligence, companies can make informed decisions, improve brand positioning, and capitalize on the growing demand for sustainable swimwear, ensuring long-term success in an evolving fashion landscape. To gain more insights into the industry dynamics, contact our specialists today!
