With all these extra hours of daylight, there’s so many outdoor summer activities waiting right around the corner. So often when we think of ethical fashion, we don’t immediately think of swimwear or activewear, but there’s so many options out there to choose from that will make your beach vacation or weekend run right in line with your ethical fashion goals.

Here’s 4 of our favorite ethical swimwear and activewear brands:

Outdoor Voices

You know em, you love em. But did you know that Outdoor Voices uses sustainably sourced merino and a rec poly made from up-cycled water bottles? 

Outdoor Voices
*Photo Credit: Outdoor Voices

Outdoor Voices is one of our favorite go-tos for activewear. They ensure all partners follow a strict code of conduct and work to use recycled polyester and other sustainable fabrics in all their products. They also have prioritized inclusivity and diversity, making them an all-time brand crush. 

“To select our stateside and overseas partners, we prioritize quality, compliance to worker’s safety, fair wages and benefits, and dedication to minimizing environmental impacts (things like water waste and air emissions).” 

Vitamin A Swimwear: 

From using recycled and organic textiles and packaging materials to choosing energy-efficient and local factories, sustainability is key for this stylish swimwear company.


*Photo Credit: Vitamin A

Vitamin A is a firm believer that sustainability is sexy, and we couldn’t agree more. Their proprietary fabric EcoLux™ was a breakthrough moment in sustainable swimwear, and they are champions of thinking globally and acting locally. 

“More than 95% of Vitamin A products — including many of the fabrics themselves — are manufactured locally in Southern California. When we can’t make something in our own backyard, we partner with fair trade artisan groups to promote women’s economic empowerment in the developing world.” 

Alternative Apparel: 

Not only do they make the softest clothes (ever!), but they are also strongly committed to crafting their clothing in safe work environments with minimal environmental impact.

Alternative Apparel
*Photo Credit: Alternative Apparel

Alternative Apparel is always one of our favorites because they care about people and the planet. 

From using organic cotton and recycled polyester to low-impact dyes and eco-friendly packaging, they are making sure their products are as sustainable as possible. They also have implemented sustainability into their packaging & distribution. 

On the people side, they ensure fair, safe & clean workplace conditions have joined the Fashion Revolution, “because clothes shouldn't come at the expense of our planet or people.”  

Summersalt: 

We love Summersalt for their classic styles and bold colors. 

“We're working each and every day to create a path to sustainability through ongoing fabric development, research and development, and trials.“

Summersault
*Photo Credit: Summersalt

We’ll let their words speak for themselves...

“There are two things at the root of everything we do: Our customers, and our planet. We believe that the companies of the future must have sustainability at the core of their business model to make a lasting impact and do right by the environment. 

Swimwear: Our swimwear is made of a super compressive, luxurious fabric crafted from 78% Recycled Polyamide. These fabrics are crafted from recycled plastics, post-consumer materials and nylon waste—like old fishing nets—that are literally pulled from our oceans.

Travelwear: Our Travelwear™ is made of our very own, signature TravelSoft™ vegan silk. This means it was crafted entirely from pre-consumer waste, like cotton linter leftover from yarn used in factories.”

July 31, 2019 — Kathleen Rodgers

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