When shopping for sustainable swimwear, it’s not only important for it to be eco-friendly – it also needs to be comfortable, beautiful and durable. Rather than buying something trendy from a fast fashion brand, why not invest in sustainable swimwear that’s timeless, flattering and ethically made?

Traditional swimwear is usually made with synthetic fabrics such as nylon, polyester or spandex. However, these fabrics are harmful to the planet, being petroleum-based. Over time, such fabrics have been shown to release microplastics during each cycle of a washing machine. To minimise our environmental impact, look for sustainable alternatives like ECONYL®, recycled nylon or organic materials, and hand wash your swimwear with care.

See also: How To Keep Microplastics Out Of Your Body

Below are three of my favourite sustainable swimwear brands that I’ve personally tried and tested. From local Hong Kong brands to those that support mangrove forests in Madagascar, these three brands are both stylish and sustainable:

RIMN

Launched in 2021, RIMN is a local sustainable swimwear brand that aims to empower Hong Kong women to be more comfortable in their own skin, especially for those with smaller cup sizes. The brand uses only ECONYL®, which is made of various recovered materials from the ocean such as fishing nets. It’s about time we addressed body positivity on our shores!

Shop on rimn.hk

Aima Dora

Throughout the year, I like to take part in beach cleanups. Rather than being desensitised to plastic waste, I am advocating more than ever for garments that are made from upcycled materials.

This is why I’ve partnered on several occasions with Aima Dora, a premium swimwear-meets-activewear label using Seaqual fabrics throughout their collections, which is made from upcycled ocean waste. Their swimwear is an easy summer staple that’s multifunctional and moves with you throughout the day.

Shop on aimadora.com

Paper London

Paper London caught my eye with their initiatives to plant five mangrove trees within Madagascar, Mozambique or Kenya for every purchase of their swimwear. Why mangrove trees? Because they provide huge ecosystem benefits, such as filtering and purifying the water systems, protecting coastal areas from storm surges, and acting as a carbon sink to mitigate climate change.

Shop on paperlondon.com

This summer, let’s collectively address the issue of marine plastic pollution by remembering the motto, “buy less, buy better” and get to know who the makers are behind the clothes you wear. Let’s all try to minimise our environmental impact through small, conscious steps that will make a huge difference for the one planet we share.

See also: Make a Splash In These 8 Sustainable Swimwear Brands

Sign up for the 8Shades weekly newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox!