Meet The Best New Sustainable Swimwear Trend
Depending on your corner of the Internet, summer of 2024 has been branded with a number of different labels like “brat summer,” “rodent man summer,” and “butter yellow summer,” all of which have some level of disposable style attached to them. Now, we’re not saying all of these summer descriptors can’t have longevity in terms of our style and tastes, but we’re here to argue that there is one kind of “summer” that has an unexpected utilitarian edge, and that’s “Tankini summer.”
Earlier this year, the TikTok fashion community began predicting that tankinis would be the swimwear trend to define summer 2024. While at first glance we’re skeptical of any trend, owning a tankini top offers several benefits: it combines sustainability with versatility, featuring the best of both bikinis and one-pieces. At the beach, a tankini provides more coverage than a bikini while remaining less restrictive than a one-piece, making it an ideal choice for those who struggle to find the right balance between being covered and uncovered at the beach or pool.
The tank top design of a tankini allows it to extend beyond traditional swimwear and offer numerous styling possibilities. Taking notes from Sustainable Baddie founder Jazmine Brown, tankini tops can double as trendy, absorbent summer tops, perfect for those unbearably hot days when we go from being stylish to sweat-soaked. The cherry on top? A functional wardrobe that includes a tankini reduces the need for multiple clothing items and emphasizes quality over quantity. The tankini might just be the inspiration the fashion world needs to start investing in multifunctional pieces!
Tips for Styling a Tankini
Wear it as a tank top and pair it with your favorite vintage denim shorts or a casual skirt.
Elevate your look with sustainable accessories like hats, sandals, and jewelry. Personal touches like these make your outfit uniquely yours.
Since tankinis are a quintessential Y2K staple, consider styling them with a cargo maxi skirt or low-waisted pants for a true period look.
Check out how Jazmine styled her Katharina Lou tankini top here!
Sustainable Tankini Brands You Should Know
Because tankinis were so popular in the '90s and 2000s, they’re readily available, both new and deadstock, on secondhand online marketplaces like eBay, Depop, and Poshmark. But there are also innovative sustainable brands bringing tankinis into the 2020s!
Check them out below:
Woman-Owned | Australia-Based | Deadstock Materials
Founded in 2021, Katharina Lou produces small batches of its fashion products in both Australia and Bali, focusing on environmentally and ethically responsible practices. The brand uses deadstock fabrics, compostable packaging, and promotes circular fashion by designing garments for longevity, encouraging repairs, and supporting the resale of their pieces.
Recycled Fabric
Founded in 2017, Blackbough Swim creates the cutest swimwear with a focus on sustainability and mindful production practices. Committed to mindful production practices, the brand uses 100% recycled fabric for their swimwear, biodegradable packaging, and strategic ordering to minimize waste, while also engaging in coastal cleanups in the Philippines.
Size-Inclusive | Woman-Owned | Responsibly Produced
Founded in 2007 by sisters Nicole, Jennifer, and Colette, Lime Ricki is a swimwear brand committed to quality and sustainability, producing their suits in responsible factories in the US and Mexico City. Lime Ricki manufactures in small batches to reduce environmental impact and donates a portion of all sales to Charity: Water, supporting clean drinking water initiatives in developing nations.
Ethically-Made | Regenerated Materials | LA-Based
Jessica Rey founded Rey Swimwear with a commitment to ethical sourcing and sustainable practices. Her swimsuits are made from fabrics created using 100% regenerated pre- and post-consumer waste, and all garments are produced in sweatshop-free factories in Los Angeles.
KIKI
Deadstock Materials | Woman-Owned | Miami-Based | Indie Designer | Handmade
KIKI the Brand aims to empower individuals with confidence and self-expression through its unique, high-quality designs. Their clothing is crafted from handpicked and often rare fabrics, with some pieces made in-house in South Florida and others produced by ethical manufacturers overseas. Their "REWORKED" division repurposes locally sourced items into new, stylish garments.
Are you wearing tankinis this summer?