Swimwear is traditionally made from petrochemical-based fibers such as polyester and nylon. While these materials deliver stretch, shape retention, and durability, they also carry environmental costs during extraction, processing, and end-of-life. This page is your practical guide to eco swimwear fabrics—what they are, how they perform, where they work best, and how to choose responsibly without sacrificing comfort or style.
Below you’ll find clear explanations, performance comparisons, and certification cues to help you evaluate sustainable swimwear materials across quality, durability, and circularity. We also cover where natural fibers may (and may not) be appropriate, so your choices are both planet-positive and fit-for-purpose.
Key Takeaways
Prioritize sustainable swimwear fabrics made from recycled inputs (e.g., ECONYL® regenerated nylon and REPREVE® recycled polyester) when you need stretch, recovery, and long wear.
Check credible certifications—such as GRS for recycled content and OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 for chemical safety—to validate environmental and human-health claims across the supply chain.
Consider ethical, transparent production practices (traceable feedstock, responsible dyeing/finishing, fair labor) as part of your decision, not only the fabric name.
Natural fibers (organic cotton, hemp, bamboo) can be great for cover-ups and casual water play, but for performance swimwear they are typically blended or lined due to absorption, drying time, and elasticity limitations.
Your purchase signals demand: selecting recycled and responsibly produced materials encourages continued innovation and wider circular systems in swimwear.
Overview of Eco-Friendly Materials
The most impactful shift in swimwear is the move from virgin petrochemical fibers toward recycled and responsibly processed alternatives. Below we outline the leading categories, their core advantages, and where they fit best.
ECONYL® (Regenerated Nylon)
Description & Origin
ECONYL® is a regenerated nylon derived from nylon waste streams such as discarded fishing nets, carpet fluff, and industrial plastics. The regeneration process yields nylon with performance characteristics comparable to virgin nylon—high strength, excellent stretch and recovery—without relying exclusively on new fossil resources.
Swimwear Applications
As a high-stretch, shape-retentive fiber, ECONYL® is well suited to performance swimwear and premium fashion swim collections that prioritize fit, durability, and resilience against sun, salt, and sand. For many brands, using regenerated nylon is a straightforward drop-in that improves material circularity with minimal compromise to wearer experience.
REPREVE® (Recycled Polyester)
Description & Origin
REPREVE® is a family of recycled polyester fibers made mainly from post-consumer PET bottles (and in some cases, post-industrial waste). Turning plastic waste into usable yarns diverts bottles from landfills and reduces reliance on virgin polyester production.
Swimwear Applications
REPREVE® offers a smooth hand feel and strong colorfastness. It is commonly used in fashion swimwear, active swim, and kids’ styles where quick-dry properties and easy care are valued. While recycled polyester does not inherently solve microfibre shedding, responsible construction and wash-care guidance can help mitigate release.
Other Lower-Impact Options & When to Use Them
Bio-Based & Plant-Derived Fibers (e.g., TENCEL™ Lyocell, Partially Bio-Based Polymers)
Cellulosic fibers (like lyocell) and certain partially bio-based polymers can reduce dependence on fossil inputs. In swim, they are often used in cover-ups, resortwear, or blends/linings rather than primary body fabric for technical swim, due to lower chlorine resistance and different stretch behavior.
Organic Cotton, Hemp, Bamboo: Great for Cover-ups—Not Core Performance
These fibers shine in breathability and comfort and can be excellent choices for beachwear and after-swim apparel. However, for all-day water immersion and athletic performance, their water absorption, drying time, elasticity, and pool-chemical resistance generally do not match regenerated nylon or recycled polyester. They may be used as outer layers, trims, or blended components where function allows.
At-a-Glance: Performance & Use-Case Fit
Material | Best Use | Strengths | Considerations |
|---|---|---|---|
ECONYL® (regenerated nylon) | Performance swim, premium fashion swim | High stretch/recovery, durable, chlorine/salt resilient | Typically higher cost than virgin nylon |
REPREVE® (recycled polyester) | Fashion swim, kids’ swim, sets requiring quick dry | Smooth hand, colorfast, widely available | Manage microfibre release via fabric construction & care |
Bio-based/Cellulosic (e.g., lyocell) | Cover-ups, resortwear, blends/linings | Lower fossil reliance, soft drape | Less suited to pool chemicals; stretch depends on blend |
Organic Cotton / Hemp / Bamboo | Beachwear, after-swim apparel | Comfortable, breathable, natural appeal | Absorbs water; slower dry; limited elasticity in pure form |
Environmental Benefits: What Changes When You Switch
Moving from virgin synthetics to recycled or responsibly processed alternatives creates environmental benefits at several stages of the product life cycle.
Less Reliance on Virgin Fossil Resources
Regenerated nylon and recycled polyester reduce the need for new oil extraction and polymerization. Over time, this can help lower the energy intensity associated with raw material production and encourage a circular feed-stock model.
Waste Diversion & Circularity
Turning fishing nets, carpet fluff, and PET bottles into new yarns diverts persistent waste from landfills and the environment. Though end-of-life infrastructure for textiles still needs improvement globally, designing with recycled content is a pragmatic way to increase circular inputs today.
Responsible Chemistry & Safer Skin Contact
Beyond fiber selection, the finishing stage matters. Look for labels that test against restricted substances and comply with chemical safety standards. Choosing OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 certified materials signals that components have been tested for a list of harmful substances within strict limit values.
How to Read Certifications & Standards
GRS (Global Recycled Standard): Verifies recycled content and chain-of-custody; evaluates social, environmental, and chemical practices in production.
OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100: Tests and certifies textile products for regulated and non-regulated substances that may be harmful to human health.
GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard): Applies to organic fiber content with environmental and social criteria; relevant for cover-ups or blends using organic cotton.
When comparing products, verify which certification applies to which component (fiber, fabric, trims) and which stage of the supply chain is covered. A recycle logo without chain-of-custody validation may not guarantee recycled content in the final fabric.
Innovations & Future Trends
Material Breakthroughs
Higher-Content Recycled Blends: Mills continue to optimize hand feel, power, and recovery in fabrics with significant recycled content, bringing performance closer to or on par with virgin equivalents.
Bio-Based Polymers: Partially plant-derived elastomeric and polyester chemistries aim to reduce fossil dependency while maintaining durability.
Low-Impact Dyes & Finishes: Water- and energy-saving dyeing technologies, as well as non-fluorinated durable water repellents, are increasingly available for swimwear constructions.
Process & Design Advancements
Pattern Efficiency & Seamless Knitting: 3D knitting and optimized marker making can reduce cutting waste, while seamless constructions improve comfort and reduce bulk.
Design for Longevity: Reinforced stitching, thoughtful lining, and UV-stable elastomers extend product life—arguably one of the most impactful sustainability levers.
Take-Back & Repair: Emerging brand programs experiment with repairs, resale, and take-back to keep garments in use longer.
Challenges & Opportunities
What Still Needs Work
Cost & Availability: Recycled or specialty inputs may carry premiums and longer lead times compared to commodity fabrics. Planning ahead with suppliers helps maintain quality and consistency.
Microfibre Release: Synthetic fabrics can shed microfibres during wear and washing. Tighter constructions, filament choices, and consumer care instructions (e.g., wash bags, cold cycles) can help mitigate release.
End-of-Life Pathways: Infrastructure for textile-to-textile recycling is still developing. Designing for durability and repair—and communicating care—remains critical.
How Brands & Shoppers Can Help
Choose recycled-content fabrics verified by chain-of-custody standards; evaluate mills on chemical management, wastewater treatment, and traceability.
Favor durable construction and timeless design over disposable trends to extend garment life.
Follow simple care rules: rinse after pool use, line dry away from direct heat, avoid harsh detergents—small habits that make suits last longer.
Learn More & Go Deeper
If you are evaluating materials for your next collection, explore our in-depth guides and production notes:
Sustainable Swimwear Fabrics: How Recycled Nylon and Polyester Improve Performance
Eco-Friendly Materials for Swimwear: A Designer’s Starter Kit
Building a Sustainable Swimwear Line: Materials, Dyes, and Ethical Production
Toward Better Swimwear—For People and Oceans
Sustainable swimwear is not about compromise; it’s about better matching materials to purpose. Regenerated nylon and recycled polyester deliver the stretch, shape, and resilience swimwear demands, while responsible chemistry and verified recycled content reduce environmental impact. Natural and bio-based options complement the wardrobe for cover-ups and resortwear, with blends and linings bridging performance needs.
As suppliers expand recycled offerings and brands design for longevity, your choices help drive a more circular swimwear ecosystem. The result is a collection you can feel good about—technically capable, comfortable to wear, and aligned with a healthier planet.
FAQ
What are the most practical eco-friendly fabrics for swimwear?
For performance swim, regenerated nylon (e.g., ECONYL®) and recycled polyester (e.g., REPREVE®) are the most widely adopted lower-impact choices thanks to stretch, recovery, and durability. For cover-ups and resortwear, natural fibers can add comfort and breathability.
Do recycled fabrics perform as well as virgin materials?
In many constructions, yes. Recycled nylons and polyesters can achieve comparable hand feel, stretch, and colorfastness to virgin equivalents when engineered and finished well. Evaluate fabric by grams per square meter (GSM), knit construction, and elastane quality—not only the fiber label.
How should I validate sustainability claims?
Look for chain-of-custody and chemical safety certifications (e.g., GRS, OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100). Ask suppliers for documentation that specifies which stage (fiber, yarn, fabric) is certified and to what scope.
Can I use organic cotton or hemp for swimwear?
They’re great for beachwear and cover-ups, but for swim garments that stay in water, technical stretch, chlorine resistance, and fast drying are crucial—areas where regenerated nylon or recycled polyester blends typically perform better.
How can I reduce microfibre impact from my swimsuits?
Choose tighter, high-quality constructions; follow gentle wash routines; and consider using a microfibre-catching wash bag. Extending garment life (repairing, re-lining) also offsets impact across the product’s lifespan.
Where can I learn more about sustainable swimwear production?
Visit our guides to materials and responsible production: Sustainable Swimwear Production: Materials & Process and Swimwear Sustainability FAQ.