(via Reformation)
I don’t shop for swimsuits very often; the last time I bought one was 2015, a Hackwith Design House bikini. I’m so happy with it, and wouldn’t need to shop for another swimsuit if we weren’t going to Costa Rica in a couple of weeks.
I have no need for more than one swimsuit generally – we haven’t taken a beach vacation in years, and I don’t spend a lot of time at the pool, not enough to need another swimsuit while the other one dries. But for Costa Rica, I imagine we’ll be spending a lot of time in the water and I don’t want to worry about one suit drying in between. And, I love my bikini, but I would also like to find a one-piece to alternate with it.
So, I’ve been swimsuit shopping.
And my environmental/ethical standards make it all the more challenging.
I did order a basic Stella McCartney (I appreciate the brand’s ethical standards, although the materials aren’t necessarily ec0-friendly) swimsuit with credits at Shopbop and their coupon code recently. I loved it. Really loved it, and it fit well. BUT, the mesh already had a hole in it when I tried it on, so I sent it back. I considered getting this really cool horse-print version of the same suit, but I am worried about the longevity of the mesh; if I’m going to get another swimsuit, I don’t want to replace it for several years.
(via Andie)
So, back to shopping. Via Disneyrollergirl recently, I learned about Andie swimsuits and their try-at-home box. Of course you can try swimsuits at home that you order from nearly anywhere else, but there’s something innovative and special about ordering a “box” and not paying for anything that you don’t want to keep. Their suits are all made in the US at a monitored factory, although not with particularly eco-friendly materials. I did order a box, in the size medium, and will let you know how the suits work out later this week.
(via REI)
I also have my eye on this suit by Seea at REI, mostly because it has a high neckline, something I try to wear more often when I’m out in the sun to protect my chest from sun damage. Seea is also made in the US, and the fabrics include SPF protection.
(via Shopbop)
And finally, I think I’ll order this Vitamin A swimsuit from Shopbop to try (I have return credit there); if it is the same as the one on Vitamin A’s site, it is made from their
Oasis EcoLux® is a superfine jersey with a subtle sheen, made in California from RECYCLED nylon fiber and LYCRA® XTRA LIFE™ fiber for an ultra-flattering, long-lasting fit.
And in the US.
Of course, I looked at Hackwith Design House again, but I am a bit concerned about the one-piece suits being too big for me up top, and they look like they would have too much room for me at the waist.
There’s also Reformation, whose swimsuits are surprisingly cute and modest for them, honestly. I was expecting WAY more sexy! The problem with their one-pieces is that the straps aren’t adjustable. I like to be able to adjust or tie them tighter or something most of the time. If nothing else works out though, I will probably try the Dunes suit (featured at the top).
I was shocked to find that I hadn’t done a proper sustainable swimsuits post…so that is in the works, but in the meantime, Paris-to-go has a good one.
What is your swimwear? How many swimsuits do you have? What’s your favorite brand?
What a coincidence, I just finished up a review on Patagonia’s swim wear and it’s going to be up on Wednesday. I love their swimwear but also love that it’s made mostly from recycled polyester and it’s fair trade certified. Plus it doesn’t budge when I swim!
Angelina at Beklina does a cute one piece suit I’ve thought about in the past….
https://www.beklina.com/collections/beklina-collection/products/lina-rennell-tie-swimsuit
And speaking of Reformation, this dress is so cute but I wish it was a little higher cut on top and a little longer on the bottom 😉
what dress?? did you mean to link something?
um…i’m totally going to order that one to try. just emailing her to find out if it’s returnable!!
thanks for reminding me of that one, i have looked at it off and on before, but was worried about the “shorts” look, but the reviews are so amazing it’s worth a try!
I just got The Crop from bikyni.com — made in the USA with materials sourced from Italy. Not sure how eco-friendly, though. I love the high neck on the top & the thick straps in the back, plus I already had bottoms to match so it feels like a whole new suit for half the cost 🙂
oh, yes, i like patagonia, but man…i could NOT find a swimsuit i liked by them. can’t wait to see what you have to say about yours.
Grechen, was just going to mention the Vitamin A line to you! that one you’re eyeing is really cute. I bought 3 swimsuits this year…1 from Vitamin A–the Leah Bodysuit in white and 2 from La Blanca. I love the Vit.A suits–really stylish–but had to fiddle with the sizing a bit. I got a two piece from Hackwith last year (from your review!), and have to agree that the 1 pieces looked a tad baggy even on the models, so was inclined to not order one from there.
Let me know how you like that Maribel Maillot!
I have not done a good job with bathing suits from sustainable manufacturers. I don’t wear them often and when I do, I really prefer swim shorts. I’ve had a few pairs from Lands End for years and they’ve worked. Would love to find a sustainable option if/when I need to replace them. Good luck!
I’m another Patagonia fan. Well, fan only in the sense that swimsuit shopping is awful, and Patagonia is about the least awful experience. (I order a bunch of tops and bottoms, usually from one of their web specials, try on in the comfort of my own home, and return the rest. They fit me better than Lands’ End, too.) I have a couple of the simple tie bikini tops and then some bikini bottoms with ties, too. Since I’m a small up top, and a (gulp) size 12 bottom, I definitely need mix-and-match. Also, I’ve had my swimsuits since 2013 or 2014, and they are still like new. I’ve gone on a few beach vacations, but they’ve also been to saunas/steam rooms (when not in Germany or other nude-only sauna places) and plenty of hotel pools.
It’s hard enough to find swimsuit tops that fit my chest without also finding one made sustainably. I haven’t seen any….Ugh. That REI suit might work, but often the super high chest makes my boobs look bigger than ever (I use rash guards to cover for SPF…but really I stay out of the sun when I can. I don’t really like sun or beaches but sometimes they’re a necessity, esp when married to a water sprite….)
Plus size swimwear is ROUGH. For all of the hype about Ashley Graham and Gabi Fresh doing swimwear lines, both are plagued with sizing issues, and really only work on “certain” plus size bodes, ie. hourglass shapes. I have a couple of cute ones that I got at the end of season last year from Moxie Blu, but haven’t had a chance to wear them yet. I’m currently looking for a good high-waist solid black bottom to balance out my colorful tops. Wish me luck!
ugh. it’s too bad hackwith design house doesn’t have a plus size swimwear line, their high-waisted bottoms are REALLY good!! they do a regular plus-size line, don’t know why not a swim…
anyway, i feel you 🙂
good luck on your search!!
My money would be on the Vit A suit…sexy!!!
I have the “long-torso” issue, which bathing suit manufacturers tend to equate with old ladies…I may BE one, but I don’t want to dress like one!!! Because of sun, surf and salt, I go through suits every year. I love my J Crew long-torso ruched suits and I tend to buy multiple colors because they fit so well. I even had to go down a size last year! I also purchased a strapless gingham suit in long-torso, also from J Crew, and discovered the hard way that one should not go ocean swimming in waves while wearing a strapless suit. I think I scarred some teenage boys for life! 😉
Here it is
https://www.thereformation.com/products/ford-dress-navy
Not that I’m one to throw shade on anyone’s shopping vibe, but in Costa Rica, I think the suits will pretty well dry on your body or very shortly thereafter. They do for me, anyway! I do have two swimsuits, but it’s because I have one with ultra coverage (for cold water occasions and for sun protection) and a two-piece for if I’m going to be wearing my suit under clothes (restaurants or shopping) and it’s just tooooo hot to do that with a one piece.
I’m also a one swimsuit person. My current one is from Nettle’s Tale – a small shop based in Vancouver, Canada. I have their Deirdre and it is incredibly comfortable! I love the material and how it isn’t as high on the hips as bathing suits tend to go.
Yes I bought that one last year and was scrolling down here just to suggest it! It is really cute and comfy, although the material feels more “body suit” than swimwear — but that can be a bonus as you could easily throw shorts or a skirt in and it would work as a halter top. I wore it to our trip to Tahoe last summer and was very happy with it. And it’s so comfortable!
oh yay!! so would the medium fit me you think?
i’m going to order it. and maybe i can wear it with my eileen fisher linen pants? i love a good halter top…
haha. you’re probably right about that. but i’d like to have a one-piece swimsuit as an option anyway 😉
Medium, or perhaps even a Small depending on what you’re comfortable with! I’m 5’7″, ~140, 35-28-38 and I have a Small which fits just fine (and I usually go for Mediums). Let me know how you like it!
They aren’t cheap, but have you looked at the suits from Malia Mills?
https://www.maliamills.com
I have an Albion fit Audrey suit which is classic and flattering (I’m a curvy size 10/12 and got a large)
Jumping on the Patagonia bandwagon, they hold up well. I have various tops and bottoms, most that I have acquired for less than $20 a pop (thanks to living near a Patagonia outlet….but often last years suits are marked down heavily on outdoor store sites). Sadly I have a long torso, so I shy away from one piece suites. I am looking into “rash guards” for this summer, and noticed that TYR (the athletic swimming brand) has a casual swim line out this year that comes in black, grey, and a abstract black & white pattern. I doubt TYR is a sustainable company, but their products last a lot longer than most casual swimwear. I guess I lean towards athletic suits, as I like to actually swim in them, don’t want them to tear the first time I sit on a rock near a lake, and want to feel comfortable moving around on land in them. Thus far, most of the more sustainable/minimalist swim brands I have encountered look delicately constructed and not particularly flattering on the majority of their models
Thank you for sharing – I never know where to look for swimsuits and you provide plenty of great options. Looking at the REI ones, I just thought the “Karina” one was meant for you (I saw the print as birds initially!).
ah, i love malia mills…but yeah, the $$ – if it turns out i need a swimsuit i’ll wear WAY more often, a lot more than 5 times a summer, then i’d definitely consider one of those.
i ordered the medium!! fingers crossed 🙂
yes, i like that one too !! even if it’s not really bird prints 😉
I like that Vitamin A suit that you’re considering. I get by with just one suit: a ruched, sexy, black, halter style one piece. I bought it at Anthropologie several years ago and it looks like something Marilyn Monroe would have worn. It’s a good suit, but I felt very silly when I wore it for swimming in Iceland. Everyone there was wearing sensible athletic suits.