DIVE INTO SUSTAINABILITY

DIVE INTO SUSTAINABILITY BY SOPHIA TOOMB

The weather is heating up, and whether or not we’re still stuck at home, summer is just around the corner. Swimwear will soon become our new closet staple—so let’s make it sustainable! Below are some of our favorite brands that don’t sacrifice ethics or eco-friendly practices for the sake of a summer swim.

REFORMATION

Location: Los Angeles Price: Separates starting at $58; one-pieces starting at $98 www.thereformation.com

Reformation is a Los Angeles-based brand that focuses on limiting their carbon footprint. Their claim? If being naked is the #1 sustainable option, they are #2. Just in time for summer, they have a new line of Ref Swim. They use ECONYL®, a regenerated nylon that is made up of old waste, such as fishing nets. They understand that nylon is still a synthetic fiber, which is why they also sell “GuppyFriend” machine-washable bags to help reduce the shed of microplastics. They don’t sacrifice the environment for the sake of fashion, they embrace the two.

GALAMAAR

Location: Los Angeles Price: Separates starting at $123; one-pieces starting at $248 www.galamaar.com

Galamaar stands against fast fashion and designs swimwear for the conscious consumer. They use a “techno-fabric” made out of nylon from old fishing nets. They also don’t shy away from the details; they use recycled tags and eco-friendly packaging to help reduce their environmental impact.

ERME SWIM

Location: Chandler, Arizona Price: Separates starting at $46 www.ermeswim.com

ERME SWIM is an Arizona-based brand. They use 100% regenerated nylon from waste found in the oceans. The best part? A portion of every purchase goes to the R.O.L.E. (River Ocean Land Ecology) Foundation. This brand is doing the most to help clean up the oceans and keep waste out. Support local businesses and shop local!

OUTERKNOWN

Location: Los Angeles Price: Trunks starting at $125 www.outerknown.com

American surfer Kelly Slater started Outerknown with a mission to stay true to sustainable practices—including the design of his high-performing men’s swim trunks. One hundred percent of Outerknown’s swim trunks are made with recycled or renewable fibers, such as recycled polyester and spandex. They are a Fair Trade brand, continually investing in over 5,000 employees, and are committed to fair labor. Their journey won’t stop there, as they plan to adopt circularity and further innovation in the future.

VITAMIN A

Location: Laguna Beach, California Price: Separates starting at $84; one-pieces starting at $154 www.vitaminaswim.com

Soak up your Vitamin D in Vitamin A. This brand intermixes style and sustainability. They use “EcoLux™— the first premium swim fabric made from recycled nylon fibers.” In addition, they use eco-friendly textiles such as Tencel® and recycled cotton. All of their materials pass the certification for Oeko-Tex for safe textiles. You can shop this brand locally from Everything But Water at Scottsdale Fashion Square.

Sophia Toomb is an Arizona native who recently graduated from Arizona State University with a degree in supply chain management and a minor in Spanish. She is the Founder of Moda Verde, a fashion sustainability blog focused on curating sustainable brands to promote conscious shopping.