With some of the world’s most beautiful beaches in our backyard and an almost-perfect climate all year round, it’s no surprise that we Australians take our swimwear seriously. From lazy beach days to early-morning laps, a good pair of swimmers is practically a national uniform.
But making one sustainably is anything but simple.
The reality is, every swimsuit, even the most eco-conscious, still relies on synthetics. Those fibres are what give swimwear its stretch, shape and resistance to salt, sun and chlorine. So, the question isn’t whether they’re synthetic, but how those synthetics are made.
Here’s how Australia’s most responsible swimwear brands are rethinking what that means.
What makes swimwear sustainable
Many Australian brands are turning to recycled or regenerated fibres such as ECONYL®, made from discarded fishing nets, carpet offcuts and textile waste, or Repreve®, which transforms used plastic bottles into new yarn. Both options cut reliance on virgin petroleum and give existing materials a second life.
Of course, there’s more to it than fabric. The way a brand makes its pieces (small runs, fair conditions for makers, quality stitching, and designs built to last) all shape a swimsuit’s real impact.
The most sustainable brands design for longevity first, because a suit that lasts years, not seasons, is the most responsible kind there is.
The pros and cons of recycled fabrics
Recycled fabrics generally use less energy and water to produce than virgin nylon or polyester and divert waste from landfills and oceans. Regenerated nylon, like ECONYL®, is chemically identical to virgin nylon, meaning the performance and feel are virtually the same.
But recycling isn’t a perfect fix.
It still consumes resources, and these fabrics continue to shed microplastics when washed. The recycling loop also isn’t endless; synthetics can only be remade a few times before the fibres break down. And while there’s not much public data comparing the lifespan of recycled versus virgin nylon, both have the same potential for shedding.
What most evidence suggests is that durability comes down to construction and care more than the fibre itself. In other words, a well-made recycled suit can last just as long as a virgin one — if you look after it.
How to make your swimwear last longer
Swimwear care is surprisingly simple, and it makes all the difference.
Rinse your swimmers in cool water after each use to remove salt, chlorine and sunscreen. Hand-wash with a gentle detergent, avoid fabric softeners, and dry flat in the shade rather than the sun. Rotating your swimwear between wears helps the elastic recover its shape.
Looking after what you already own is the easiest way to reduce waste, and it means you’ll buy less, less often.
Now, onto the brands.
Sustainability, straight to your inbox
Monthly tips, stories, and inspiration to make living greener easy
The Australian Sustainable Swimwear Brands You’ll be Wearing For Years
Baiia Label
Baiia built its cult following on one idea — the wrap suit. Their incredibly flattering, reversible, multi-way pieces can be worn as a one-piece or as mix-and-match separates, giving you several looks from a single set. And most importantly, every piece is designed to fit and flatter a wide range of bodies. The fabric is recycled polyester woven in Italy from post-consumer waste and sewn by an ethical maker in China that prioritises fair work and quality.
Bondi Born
Founded in Sydney, Bondi Born makes luxe-looking swimwear and resort pieces designed to last. Their core fabrics — Sculpteur®, Singuleur® and Embodee™ — are developed by leading Italian mills and certified for low impact and exceptional durability, lasting up to ten times longer than standard swimwear. B Corp and Climate Neutral-certified, the brand keeps sustainability at the centre of every decision, from low-carbon materials to waste reduction and ethical partnerships with mostly women-run makers in Australia and abroad.
Peony
Peony’s known for its soft, vintage-inspired prints and romantic silhouettes, designed to mix and match across collections. Every piece is made from recycled nylon and polyester, including the linings, and printed digitally to save water. Designed at their Burleigh Heads studio and made in trusted, small-scale factories, these are swimsuits made for long Australian summers.
Salt Gypsy
Salt Gypsy grew from founder Danny’s search for surfwear that could handle powerful waves and long hours in the sun. What began with a single pair of handmade surf leggings in the Maldives has become a small, women-run surfwear label based on the Gold Coast. Each piece is cut and sewn locally by two experienced makers, designed for function, durability and comfort in the water. Still guided by its roots, Salt Gypsy is about confidence, community and staying out there as long as the swell lasts.
Marvell lane
If you’ve ever tried to squeeze into a swimsuit that wasn’t made for your body, Marvell Lane will change that. Based in Byron Bay, they make supportive, comfortable swimwear for fuller busts — from 8D to 16J — and offer fittings in-store to help you find the perfect size. The designs use thin straps, flexible bands and quality fabrics that hold their shape, all made ethically with care and attention to fit and function.
Camp Cove
Camp Cove Swim is for days spent between the beach towel and the surf. Known for its nostalgic prints and body-positive fits, the brand has been working with the same small team on the South Coast since 2014. Linings are made from ECONYL® regenerated nylon, prints are produced locally in Sydney, and offcuts are turned into smaller garments or passed on to other makers.
Spell
Spell’s distinctive prints and detailed designs have made them one of Australia’s most recognisable labels. Their swimwear carries that same spirit, made from regenerated ECONYL® nylon and produced through a transparent, traceable supply chain. Every piece is made to last, with mix-and-match styles that stay in rotation long after summer ends.
Shapes in the Sand
Shapes in the Sand is pure Australiana, with wildflower prints inspired by the bush and the coast that bring Australia’s landscapes to life. Each piece is designed and made in Australia using regenerated nylon crafted from ghost nets and textile waste, with prints produced locally through a water-free process. Collections are released in small batches with a focus on quality, longevity and care for the places that inspire them.
Matteau
Matteau’s classic cuts and neutral tones feel made for long, sun-drenched summers lazing by the poolside. Designed to last beyond a season, each piece is made in Australia in small runs using regenerated nylon crafted from recycled fishing nets and textile waste. They take a slow, considered approach to design, working with local makers and certified mills to ensure every piece stands the test of time, in both quality and style.
Liandra Swim
Liandra Swim celebrates Aboriginal culture through hand-drawn prints, each one telling a story from founder and designer Liandra Gaykamangu’s Yolŋu heritage. Made from regenerated nylon, the pieces combine contemporary design with meaning — connecting culture, community, and Country in every collection.
Patagonia
Patagonia set the standard for what sustainable fashion could be long before most of us knew what that meant. Their swim and surfwear are made from recycled nylon and polyester, often recovered from fishing nets and old gear, built to last season after season. They’ll even repair or resell your old pieces through their Worn Wear program, part of a decades-long push to keep clothes in use and out of landfill. A brand that’s been walking the talk since the seventies, and still leading the way.
Bondi Joe
Sydney-born label Bondi Joe makes swim shorts designed for all-day comfort. Built without the usual mesh lining, they’re made to take you from the beach to the bar without a quick change in between. Each pair is made from recycled plastic bottles and PET waste, with carbon emissions fully offset and packaging kept plastic-free.
Lé Buns
Lé Buns makes timeless swimwear designed to be worn your way. Each piece is made from regenerated nylon knitted in Italy and sewn by trusted makers in Indonesia and China, with transparency and fair work at the core of every collection. Their mix-and-match styles are made to last, reimagining the basics you’ll reach for season after season.
We hope you like the brands we recommend on The Green Hub. Our editors select each one independently. We may receive an affiliate commission when you follow some links.
Sustainability is an ongoing journey, and brands evolve over time. We do our best to keep this guide accurate and up to date, but certifications lapse and links occasionally break. If you spot something that needs a refresh, let us know.
The brands featured meet a range of ethical and sustainable standards, from certifications and living wages to transparent supply chains. That said, ethics are personal. This guide doesn’t cover every factor — like use of animal products or local manufacturing — so we always recommend checking a brand’s About page to see if their values align with yours.
