It’s almost that time of year that we all dread; swimsuit shopping season.
While my journey with loving and accepting my body has gone through its fair share of trials and tribulations one thing has always remained constant for me. I always want to be thoughtful and ethical about my fashion purchases, including swimwear. While it may be tempting to buy something cheap and chic from (eye roll) Fashion Nova or one of thousands of Instagram brands that seem to bombard your feed with swimsuit ads on the daily a couple of reminders that have helped me be a more conscious consumer when it comes to swimsuit shopping are:
- No one person needs dozens and dozens of swimsuits. It may be tempting to buy multiple new pieces for the summer or for an upcoming vacation but just like regular clothing swimwear should have some longevity to it. The idea that you would wear it once and then never again doesn’t apply to most articles of clothing so why do we do it with swimwear?
- Think about the irony of wearing a fast fashion swimsuit to the beach - enjoying the ocean spray and great outdoors in a plastic garment made of cheap materials that were shipped half way across the globe after being made in a factory that contributes to water runoff, child labour, unsafe working conditions and pollution. If you want to keep our beaches beautiful making an effort to buy clothes that are kinder to the planet is your purchasing power.
Also when I first started working on this post my aim was to find ten brands to feature and I was worried that I would have a hard time finding that many. After lots of research I managed to find twenty! I know there are a lot more brands that I could feature so perhaps I do a part two?
I know I promised this post a weeks ago but when I started trying to research where everything was produced, what sizes were available and costs it became clear to me that I bit off more than I could chew. Surprise, surprise, once again I take ages to produce content. Can I live?
All prices in Canadian dollars unless otherwise stated.
Selfish Swimwear
“Don’t think about what other may think or say about you, feel good and confident of your perfect imperfections, therefore be SELFISH.” – Naomie Caron, founder and designer. Caron aims to offer ethical collections to conscious consumers by slowing down excessive production and consumption processes.Montreal, Quebec – designed and produced locally
Material used: ECONYL® yarn, a 100% regenerated nylon yarn derived from pre and post industrial waste
Price range: $55 – $175
Sizes available: small to xlarge*
*their size guide does a fantastic job breaking down the fit of different bikini tops. Still unsure? Selfish suggests that you take your measurements (with an optional photo) and contact them so they can help you find your best fit.
Unika Swim
Founder and designer, Betsy Campos was born in Canadian but of Brazilian heritage which is reflective in her designs. Their site will make you want to book a vacation somewhere hot while their editorials feature a range of body types so rest assure that Anika is not just for the girls on the cover of Maxim.Toronto, Ontario – designed and produced locally
Material used: ECONYL® yarn, a 100% regenerated nylon yarn derived from pre and post industrial waste
Price range: $72 – $229
Sizes available: xsmall to xlarge*
*sizes XXL, 3XL and 4XL available upon request.
Imagine Perry Co.
Yup. They make swimsuits in little human sizes so you and your little ones can match. I love that their suits come in a variety of trendy prints including my personal favourite, leopard!Vancouver, British Columbia – designed and produced locally
Materials used: 80% nylon, 20% spandex
Price range: $98 for the pictured ruffle one piece (currently the only womens style available)
Sizes available: xsmall to xlarge
Fortnight Label
Known for their lingerie, it’s no surprise that Fortnights’ expansion into swimwear is seemingly so effortless. What initially won me over with Fortnight lingerie is what wins me over with their swimwear; sizes for the busty gals without sacrificing style. Fortnight has been a long standing lingerie favourite of mine and I have no doubt that their swimwear, like their undergarments, are made with the wearer in mind.Toronto, Ontario – designed in Toronto, produced in Italy
Materials used: 80% nylon, 20% elastane
Price range: $78 – $219
Sizes available: A34 – F34 for their bikini tops, xsmall to xlarge for their bikini bottoms and one pieces.
437 Swimwear
Their story starts with two best friends who wanted to have pasta and also go to the beach while feeling confident in their swimsuits. Design with curves in mind, 437 Swimwear aims to accommodate all body types while offering trendy cuts and colours, including ultra trendy neons!Toronto, Ontario – designed in Toronto, produced in China*
Materials used: 92% polyester, 8% spandex
Price range: $55 – $155
Sizes available: xsmall to xlarge
*I am always skeptical of garments manufactured overseas, especially in Asia since it’s often associated with unsafe labour practices. However 437 Swimwear has a lot of information about their manufacturer available on their site (see here). Manufacturing is at a factory that is not only female-run but female-owned. Both founders have gone to China to get to know their factories better and if you check out that link you’ll see a cute photo of them all enjoying dinner together in China.
The Saltwater Collective
Bold bright coloured swimwear that is anything but basic, The Saltwater Collective offers an array of elevated basics in solid colours in flattering fits. As seen on the trendiest gals on Instagram these styles aim to get you poolside ready and set for your photoshoot.At the time of this post the Allana Davidson collab is also newly launched!
Toronto, Ontario – designed and produced locally
Material used: ECONYL® yarn, a 100% regenerated nylon yarn derived from pre and post industrial waste
Price range: $65 – $165
Sizes available: xsmall to xlarge
Monashay Swim
I may be jumping the gun on this one because Monashay Swim’s site is currently under construction so the amount of info I have on it is minimal. Seriously, everything I know about the brand is through looking through all their Instagram posts and comments. I found out about this brand through my friend, Tracy and now I’m just awaiting for it to launch.I am all about animal print and have my fingers crossed that their snake print bikini top comes in a size big enough to support this giant boobs I’ve been cursed with. (I’m mostly joking as they are my favourite body part.)
Vancouver, British Columbia
(will update when I have more info)
Honubelle Swimwear
For the surfer chick in all of us, Honubelle does something different with the gals they use to promote their lines. While other brands may use influencers with a large following, Honubelle dubs their brand ambassadors as “team riders” comprised of some kickass women who actually wear their suits on based on its functionality. Cool women include surfer Alina Abramovich, free diver Lorenza and snowboarder Seanna Jefferson.
Calgary, Alberta – designed locally, made in Indonesia
Materials used: Italian Lycra (with compression) recycled from plastic
Price range: $78 – $205
Sizes available: xsmall to xlarge
Londre Bodywear
With ultra flattering cuts that can be wrapped, tied, and criss-crossed every which way to create different shapes, Londre Bodywear is for the gal that wants the transformative piece. All of their suits are double lined and made of a compressional material making it ultra flattering. It’s no wonder why you’ve been seeing your most fashion forward friends donning Londre.
Vancouver, British Columbia – designed and produced locally
Materials used: recycled materials including chitosante
Price range: $52 – $140 USD
Sizes available: xsmall to xlarge**Chitosante is environmentally friendly and made out of discarded shells from the shellfish industry. It is durable, non-toxic and naturally anti bacterial and odour resistant. Those with shellfish allergies need not worry! Shellfish allergies come from being allergic to the meat and not the shell.
**Their size guide shows women in their suits for all of the sizes available along with their measurements!
Left on Friday
Designed for the sporty gal in mind, Left on Friday is the do-it-all swimsuit. Designed with sports in mind these suits are functional in design with sporty necklines, fashionable colours fabricated to withstand chlorine and salt water! What’s not to love?
Vancouver, British Columbia – designed locally, produced in California, USA
Materials used: 46% nylon, 38% polyester, 16% spandex
Price range: $100 – $200
Sizes available: xsmall to xlarge* plus they offer TALL!*Their sizing guide also compares their sizes to other popular brands such as Lululemon and J Crew! They also have a compare page to see how their suits differ from one another and dele into their recommendation for busty gals, post breastfeeding tats and high intensity sports.
June Swimwear
The mantra of June Swimwear is that it’s always June somewhere. A female-run company, June Swimwear is designed with the beach bum in mind. Their site makes it easy to shop with adjustable and non-adjustable bikini tops separated, three types of bottom coverage (depending on cheeky you want to get), one pieces and even surf suits! Don’t have a surfboard? Yup, June Swimwear sells those too.
Montreal, Quebec – designed and produced locally
Materials used: 80% nylon, 20% lycra
Price range: $57 – $140
Sizes available: small to xlarge
OCIN
Purposely designed with the intention of being worn outside of the water as well, OCIN uses recycled polyesters and nylons to add versatility to your pieces. They also offer a recycling program where they take back previously loved swimsuits and makes sure they are disposed of correctly (regardless if it’s their brand or not) in exchange for 10% your next order
Vancouver, British Columbia – designed locally, however I could not find any info on where it is produced
Materials used: ECONYL® yarn, a 100% regenerated nylon yarn derived from pre and post industrial waste
Price range: $115 – $185*
Sizes available: Teslin to Alta***Part of the proceeds goes towards Surfrider Foundation.
**They did something unique with naming their sizing to change the way consumers look at size and fit. So often we look at a size as a descriptor in good or bad ways “omg, I’m so LARGE” or “wow, she look’s great – she’s so SMALL.” I love what OCIN is doing by disrupting the way we look at sizing. Wear what fits you and know that size indicators are just to help you determine your best fit. Their size guide breaks down which each name descriptor goes with which cup size.
Mimi & August
Mimi & August prides themselves on being as sustainable and as ethical as possible while also promoting realistic body types by never using models – they even have a model application page on their site! If I lived in Montreal I would be all over that. Mindful manufacturing is something they disclose on their site and they opt to produce limited quantities without following any fashion calendar to minimize excess product.At this time their summer collection has not launched yet.
Montreal, Quebec – designed locally and produced locally and abroad
Materials used: 80% nylon, 20% spandex with UPF50*
Price range: $52 – $160
Sizes available: xsmall to xlarge
*In their about page they acknowledge that the production of swimsuits in general are harmful to the environment and starting in 2019 started producing more swimsuits made from recycled fabrics. They also produce their swimsuits by digital printing which consumes less water that sublimation.
Fenntessa
Perfect for those looking for a skimpy swimsuit that stays put (no nip slips here!) the Fenntessa line keeps it simple with a handful of key styles every season in trendy colours that work seamlessly together making it ideal for mixing and matching. Trending colours this season include Rust and Mustard, it’s no wonder why Fenntessa seems to be in every retailer in Vancouver.
Vancouver, British Columbia – designed locally produced in Columbia*
Materials used: 80% nylon, 20% spandex
Price range: $60 – $110
Sizes available: xsmall to large*They work closely with a small family run sewing factory of about 8 people and travel to Columbia to oversee the process.
Nettle’s Tale Swim
Anyone who knows me IRL shouldn’t be surprised to see Nettle’s Tale on my list. I have written about them in the past and I continue to be a fan of this fun inclusive swimwear line. Named after real women with part of the profits going to various charities. Their site features real women in their swimwear and their size charts share the measurements of women that they actually use for their campaigns. I cannot say enough good things about Nettle’s Tale and you’ll probably continue to see content from me praising Nettle’s Tale. Sorry, not sorry.
Vancouver, British Columbia – designed and produced locally
Materials used: 92% recycled polyester, 8% spandex
Price range: $62 – $154
Sizes available: xsmall to 1xlarge
Andrea Iyamah
No one asked Nigerian fashion designer Dumebi Iyamah to go off but she went ahead and did it anyways. Her swimsuits are an extension of her ready to wear line which is strongly influenced by colour and ethic cultures. Her placement printed swimsuits and edgy cuts are worth the splurge because the design is truly something special.
Etobicoke, Ontario – designed locally, however I could not find any info on where it is produced
Materials used: Polyester and spandex
Price range: $67 – $352
Sizes available: small to xlarge
Bikini Empire
I was first introduced to Bikini Empire many years ago at Eco Fashion Week where I met designer Kelsey Rush and I have been a fan ever since. Chatting with Kelsey gave me a real understanding on how Bikini Empire was not only her passion project but her baby and she takes sustainability and ethical manufacturing seriously!
Vancouver, British Columbia – designed and produced locally (they even have a Made In Canada page!)
Materials used: Italian made fabric is 72% eco-polyamide micro fibre, 28% LYCRA
Price range: $78 – $90
Sizes available: small to xlarge
Everyday Sunday
Everyday Sunday family company designed and distributed by a Montreal company with more than 40 years of history. Everyday Sunday pays particular attention to versatility choosing fabrics based on quality, softness, and providing a “second skin” sensation. They also make mens swimwear!
Montreal, Quebec – designed locally, however I could not find any info on where it is produced
Materials used: 83% micro nylon 17% spandex, jersey
Price range: $40 – $120
Sizes available: xsmall to xlarge
Minnow Bathers
Focused on slow fashion and minimal waste design, Minnow Bathers produces one collection each year. Because of this slow fashion method they are able to produce each piece by hand and focus on quality while also following along with customer demand to reduce unnecessary production and waste!Toronto, Ontario – designed and produced locally
Materials used: solid fabrics are made from chlorine-resistant and UV-blocking fabrics produced from 78% recycled plastics
Price range: $86 – $180*
Sizes available: xsmall to xlarge
*To offset the environmental impacts of production, Minnow Bathers proudly donates $1 from each sale to the Ocean Conservancy to support their efforts to protect the world’s oceans and its inhabitants. Additionally, a portion of each sale is donated to various environmental and human rights causes throughout the year.
Gattina Swim
If you’re looking for something a bit more flirty check out Gatina Swim on Etsy. Extremely budget friendly with an impressive 5 star rating average of over a hundred reviews Gattina is seeming a slam dunk. Their cute bloomer style high-waisted swim bottoms pair so well with their twist tie tops will leave you saying “beach please!”Hamilton, Ontario – designed and produced locally
Materials used: lycra, nylon, chlorine proof elastic
Price range: $36 – $92
Sizes available: small to large*
*because this is an Etsy site there is a “request custom order” option available so you may be able to extend this size range however at the time of this post they are only shipping the inventory they currently have on hand.
