7 sustainable swimwear brands that you should already know (and wear)

As summer approaches, we begin to go through our drawers for the swimsuits that we have saved a year ago. In addition to seeing how they fit us, we usually check how their fabrics are, if they have been stretched or if they have lost color. We know that swimsuits usually have a useful life time before losing their qualities, and although it is not a garment that is quickly discarded since we do not use it on a daily basis, the way in which they are discarded and used has a negative impact on the environment. It is essential to learn how to choose them so that they last over time.

We know that plastic, in all its forms, colors and versions, is a problem for our planet. And swimsuits, as we know them, use fibers and fabrics that mostly contain it. Nylon, polyamides and polyester are among the most polluting fibers that exist on the planet, since they are the ones that take the longest to degrade (they can take thousands of years to do so). That's why sustainable swimsuits have become the go-to accessory for an eco-friendly summer. The best way to know how to choose them consciously is to ask how they are made, what kind of materials they use, under what working conditions, and where they are made, but above all, opt for those where quality and timeless design prevail, to that can endure and transcend the summers.

Fortunately, sustainable fashion is here to stay and more and more brands are choosing to do more conscious, responsible and ethical work with the planet and those of us who inhabit it. The use of recycled textiles, such as Econyl, a fabric made from regenerated nylon made from fishing nets recovered from the ocean, has become widespread, supporting and promoting a sustainable swimwear industry that is becoming increasingly relevant. These 7 Latin American designer brands are part of this movement that is revolutionizing the way of buying swimwear, from a sustainable and responsible point of view.

raki house

The feminine elegance of Casa Raki reflects the minimalist style of its creator, Argentine photographer and designer Josefina Alazraki Theo, who runs her swimwear and resortwear firm in an ethical, conscientious and responsible manner. The small independent firm, as described by the brand, has earned international recognition for its sustainable easy-to-wear designs. Her line of sustainable swimwear is designed in London and ethically made in Portugal, using eco-friendly fabrics from fibers like nylon and recycled polyester throughout. Econyl, the textile made from nylon regenerated from discarded fishing nets, is one of the main materials they use. Another of the textiles used is made from castor, a plant from which castor oil is obtained. This yarn reduces the impact on the environment and climate change by 25% compared to the use of normal polyamide fabrics.

armantia

Sophisticated simplicity is elevated with handcrafted details in the Armantia collections. The Colombian sustainable swimwear firm focuses on creating timeless and enduring pieces that promote fair trade practices with the local communities of Boyacá, where they make the collections, particularly with mothers who are heads of households. Each of the garments is made respecting the times it needs, locally, reusing natural materials and giving them a new context in fashion. The characteristic rural identity of the region is valued in details of the designs, which are handmade using organic and biodegradable materials. Thus, the plantain sock fiber, the chin, the tagua, the fique and the totumo, are incorporated into the garments in unique details that make them original. These materials are also water resistant and 100% biodegradable. The swimsuits themselves are made of recycled plastic or nylon fabrics, and are delivered in eco-packaging hand-woven from fique and chin, two biodegradable natural fibers, that are handmade by local artisans.

Amara Tulum

A pioneer in the use of Econyl, the textile made from regenerated nylon from fishing nets recovered from the ocean, Amara Tulum is preparing to make the leap from sustainable fashion to regenerative fashion. The brand made in Mexico is recognized for its sustainable swimsuits, which have the magnificent quality of being reversible, combinable and even convertible. Basically, created to be used for many summers. Another point that makes this a sustainable brand is that all packaging is created from recycled or biodegradable materials, and all products are made in limited production or under the made-to-order system that promotes slow fashion. .

perse sea

The precision and perfection of shapes is the key to the sustainable swimwear created by Perse Mar. This Colombian firm takes elegance to the next level using a limited and minimalist color palette that makes the pieces timeless and inheritable. Perse Mar works with a textile factory in Italy that was particularly selected for its sustainable value chain, with which they can continue in line with the much-desired textile traceability. In this way they manage to ensure that each process involved in the manufacture of the fabrics is designed to reduce the consumption of water, energy and chemical products and reduce waste and carbon emissions, in addition to promoting social, economic and environmental balance. With the focus on textiles, Perse Mar carries out a permanent and stable collection, in addition to presenting seasonal lines.

Lime green

As an ode to women in all their forms, Verde Limón, the Colombian brand of ethical swimwear, reaffirms its social and environmental commitment in each piece it designs. This luxury brand seeks to empower the artisan women of its community, who are in charge of making each of the pieces, taking care of the traceability of each garment based on fair trade values. For Verde Limón, the essential thing is to preserve Mother Nature, as a source of inspiration and as the soil in which they grow. That is why they choose to work with fabrics made from recycled plastic, it is estimated that each sustainable swimsuit helps recycle between 8 and 14 plastic bottles, and they make each collection to order, reducing and eliminating excess and waste.

Cross Cove

The vibrant and daring graphic prints make up the DNA of Cala de la Cruz, the swimwear and resortwear brand from Cali, Colombia. The timeless silhouette of each swimsuit is crossed by original prints where the Caribbean retro color palette is combined with geometric shapes and nature. Each of the prints is made digitally, reducing water consumption and avoiding the use and disposal of toxic dyes. Another of the sustainable practices that this brand carries out is zero-waste molding, seeking to reduce all types of textile waste in the assembly of garments, which are made locally under fair trade policies.

florite

Florita recovers the essence of the Brazilian spirit, it is the way that Julia Almeida-Bailey, her creator, found to reconnect with her carioca roots after settling in London. Her sustainable swimwear brand works with communities in Rio de Janeiro in an ethical manner, where she generates practices of inclusion and fair trade, to develop sustainable products reducing the impact on the environment. When creating her pieces, she uses biodegradable fabrics such as Amini Soul Eco fiber (a type of polyamide that biologically degrades in 5 years) and others made from recycled PET (plastic). According to its creator, Florita was conceived to be a sustainable and slow brand from the beginning, which promotes conscious and responsible consumption values, which is why its garments are also versatile and reversible.