9 Modest Swimwear & Bathing Suit Brands For Women
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It’s officially swimwear season! Lazy days sitting at the beach or by the pool are a dream if you have the right suit. Finding a well-made swimsuit that fits the way you want it to and is sustainably made can be a challenge, we know! But don’t worry, we’ve got you –– and as much skin as you want –– covered.
Why consider sustainable swimwear?
It can be difficult enough to find a swimsuit you feel comfortable in, and sustainability often goes by the wayside when it comes to swimsuit shopping. Thankfully, there are sustainable swimwear brands out there creating cute and comfortable swimsuits for all shapes and sizes of bodies. Eco-friendly materials derived from recycled fabrics not only create comfy, stretchy swimwear but also divert waste from oceans and landfills, promoting a circular fashion loop that’s much better for the planet. Some eco-friendly materials you might find in your swimsuit include plant-based polyamides, ECONYL®, and recycled poly. Sustainable swimwear brands also prioritize ethical and fair production practices, ensuring their supply chain is as sustainable as possible and that workers receive fair wages and safe working conditions.
Our criteria:
We’ve rounded up the brands that hit that sweet spot between mindful production and comfy, substantial swimwear. Whether you’re looking for a more supportive bikini, a burkini, or anything in between, you’re sure to find something in the below brands’ swimsuit collections.
- SUSTAINABLE | Each of these swimwear brands prioritizes sustainable fabrics in their swimwear, including recycled and plant-based materials.
- SIZE INCLUSIVE | We’ve included a variety of sustainable swimwear brands offering a wide range of sizes, ranging from XXS – 6X.
- ETHICS | Each of these swimwear brands creates sustainable swimwear using ethical, fair, and safe manufacturing practices, with many pieces made in the USA.
Don’t miss our main sustainable swimwear guide for more styles and suit options! And be sure to snag natural sunscreens, face sunscreens, eco-friendly sunglasses
1. Jessica Rey Swimwear
Best For | Feminine silhouettes
Sustainability | Regenerated material, made in L.A.
Price Range | Separates starting at $71, one-pieces starting at $158
Size Range | XS – 1X
When actress Jessica Rey couldn’t find a one-piece swimsuit that she loved, she decided to make her own. She founded Rey Swimwear in 2009, a line of one-pieces, modest two-pieces, and swim dresses for women and kids, including maternity swimsuits, swimsuits made for nursing, and suits for long torsos. The brand uses 100% regenerated material like fish nets, and all of their pieces are cut and sewn at their Los Angeles factory, meaning all their suits are made ethically and are designed to last for years and years (so you don’t have to buy a new suit every season!).
Customer Review | “Absolutely beautiful. The quality is superb and the fabric is so soft. Fits and looks so good on” – Katy W. (Read all reviews.)
2. TomboyX
Best For | Gender-neutral styles
Sustainability | B-Corp certified, eco-friendly material, fair labor conditions
Price Range | Separates starting at $49, one-pieces starting at $89
Size Range | XS – 6X
TomboyX creates gender-neutral swimwear, undies, and activewear. The founders initially set out to create underwear that “any body could feel comfortable in, regardless of where they fell on the size or gender spectrum,” and now they carry a line of swimwear — some of it is a more activewear-swimwear hybrid, and some is great for just lounging by the pool. And it’s all gender inclusive, featuring pieces like unisuits, swim shorts, swim tanks, and swim racerbacks, plus plenty of fun patterns (jellyfish or narwhals, anyone?). TomboyX is a certified B-Corp, and they make their swimwear from a stretchy, quick-drying, eco-friendly, and UPF 50 material.
Customer Review | “The material is supportive, comfortable, soft, and dries pretty quickly. The pattern is vibrant and gorgeous.” – Chris98442 (Read all reviews.)
3. Summersalt
Best For | Fun patterns and colors
Sustainability | Recycled materials, suits built to last
Price Range | Separates starting at $45, one-pieces starting at $95
Size Range | 2 – 22
Sustainable swimwear darling Summersalt makes swimwear in a wide range of styles. While they make a ton of super flattering one-pieces, they also make some bikinis that are on the more simple, modest side. You can find their one-pieces in neutral colors or in fun, flashy leopard print or red and pink color-blocked patterns. And you can find plenty of trendy silhouettes, too, meaning you can keep your suit simple or opt for a cute one-shoulder or ruffled neckline. Comfortable fits are what Summersalt is all about — they used measurements from 10,000 real women to create their sizing, and they have a handy “butt coverage guide” to help you find the look you’re going for.
Customer Review | “This cover up was perfect! I recently had skin cancer removed from my arm and was looking for a way to coverup in the sun but not be too hot in the shade. It’s light weight, fits great and is super flattering.” – Tara S. (Read all reviews.)
4. Patagonia
Best For | Activewear swimsuits
Sustainability | 1% for the Planet, recycled materials, environmental initiatives
Price Range | Separates starting at $65, one-pieces starting at $139
Size Range | XXS – XXL
Patagonia’s swimsuits are designed to stay in place, keeping you covered while you swim, hike, surf, play volleyball, or otherwise have fun in the sun. They make full-coverage two-pieces in sporty cuts, along with a few one-piece options. They also have board shorts, long-sleeve one-pieces, and swimwear hoodies, designed to keep you covered and out of the sun or the cold, while still wicking moisture like a swimsuit. Patagonia is known for its durable outdoor clothing, and, as of September 2022, all of the company’s profit that doesn’t go back into the business goes instead to environmental initiatives.
Customer Review | “With the desert sun gnawing at your skin year round as I have, especially when swimming, having a swimsuit that covers your skin is a must, no matter how much sunscreen you think you have on. Perfect torso length, high cut but not too high cut legs, easy to zip up the back (love the long zip handle), great coverage. Havent had a suit this comfortable EVER” – Hannah (Read all reviews.)
5. Youswim
Best For | Inclusive sizing
Sustainability | Certified Plastic Negative, recyclable and plastic-free packaging
Price Range | One-pieces and sets starting at $179
Size Range | 2 — 24
Youswim has thrown out the traditional swimsuit sizing method, opting for just two super flexible styles. That’s right — just two. They make simple one-pieces and some fairly full-coverage two-pieces, all made from a ribbed fabric of EU-sourced premium quality nylon yarn, meaning the swimsuits are designed to last for a super long time. Most importantly, they’re incredibly stretchy, designed to move with your body as it naturally fluctuates. The two sizes offered are Stretch I, which is generally a US size 2 through 12, and Stretch II, which is about a US size 14 through 24. Their packaging is 100% recyclable and plastic-free, and the company is Certified Plastic Negative.
Customer Review | “This swimsuit is so flattering, comfy, and cute. Really emphasizes the truth that clothes should be made to fit our bodies, not the other way around!” – Kathryn S. (Read all reviews.)
6. Boden
Best For | Classic designs
Sustainability | Transparent supply chain, eco-friendly materials
Price Range | Separates starting at $42, one-pieces starting at $85
Size Range | 2 – 18
A family-run business since the ‘80s, Boden makes a full lineup of women’s, men’s, and children’s clothing. Their women’s swimsuits are classic and timeless, with simple, flattering silhouettes and tons of fun yet refined patterns. They have one-pieces with fun cutouts or more full-coverage styles, and their mix-and-match bikinis are similarly timeless yet uber-stylish. Boden’s super wide range of swimsuits means you’ll be able to find whatever sort of coverage level, color, or design you’re looking for. The company makes high-quality clothing designed to be kept out of landfills, has transparent supply chains, and supports a few of its favorite charities.
Customer Review | “Like most women in their forties, finding a bathing suit that’s flattering, comfortable AND cute is close to impossible. I’m here to tell you- Boden nailed it! This suit is comfortable, stays put and the color block on the sides is super flattering. I’ll be ordering a second one! True to size too!” – Anonymous (Read all reviews.)
7. Lime Ricki
Best For | Cute patterns, swim dresses
Sustainability | Sewn in North America
Price Range | Separates starting at $53, one-pieces starting at $123
Size Range | XXS – 4X
Founded by three sisters, Lime Ricki makes adorable one-pieces and tankinis in fun patterns and with full-coverage fits. They have a style for whatever you’re looking for—from long sleeved rash guards to crop top tankinis. They even have hard-to-find bottoms like swim skirts and swim shorts. Lime Ricki’s one-pieces have a similarly wide range of cuts, silhouettes, and coverage levels, but you can expect super fun, bright, feminine colors and patterns across the board. All of the company’s swimsuits are responsibly made in North American factories, and a portion of all proceeds go to Charity Water, an organization helping to bring clean and safe drinking water to the whole world.
Customer Review | “I love the colors, this suit is so summery. Most of the inclusive sizing swimsuits I buy from other places are solid colors but this suit is just so happy and fun! And thank goodness for full backside coverage 🙌🏼.” – Catherine P. (Read all reviews.)
8. Sei Sorelle
Best For | Burkinis
Sustainability | Recycled materials, fair labor conditions
Price Range | Sets starting at $81
Size Range | XS – XXXL
Founded by six sisters, Sei Sorelle (meaning six sisters in Italian) makes stylish, complete-coverage burkinis. They use ECONYL® regenerated nylon, made of recycled waste materials like fish nets, to make long sleeved swimsuits that dry super quickly and give UPF 50 sun protection. Sei Sorelle makes three styles of swimsuits — all have long sleeves and modest silhouettes, and each comes with an optional swim hijab and the choice of leggings or tapered trousers. The company is small and family-run, and aims to make swimsuits at the convergence of modesty and sustainability.
Customer Review | “The quality and style of this swimwear is phenomenal! It didn’t feel heavy at all when I swam in it and the material is super comfortable. I love the teal colour it really complemented the nude turban which I paired it with. Extremely happy with my purchase!!” – Fatimah (Read all reviews.)
9. Finisterre
Best For | Long Janes
Sustainability | B-Corp certified, repair program
Price Range | Separates starting at $75, one-pieces starting at $240
Size Range | XXS – 4XL
Named after a rugged headland on the Spanish coast, British-born brand Finisterre has made high-quality, performance clothing, outdoor gear, and activewear since 2003. Their one-piece and two-piece swimsuits are designed with functionality in mind, made from durable fabric that repurposes ocean plastic. They also make long sleeved swimsuits, ½ zip up swimsuits, swim hijabs, and full “long Jane” swimsuits. The brand is a certified B-Corp, and they prioritize sustainability by running a repair and recycling program, and releasing transparent impact reports. They also help increase access to the ocean for everyone via the Finisterre Foundation.
Customer Review | “Great product, fits well and very practical for summer swimming off Scotland. Good service as well.” – Margaret P. (Read all reviews.)
Featured image is from Summersalt
