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Back in the 90s, it seemed like only a handful of fast fashion surf brands dominated the lineup. If you weren’t wearing Roxy, you probably had Billabong, Ripcurl, or Hurley stamped across your chest. There were few alternatives to fast fashion.
While the big mamas of surf culture come out with cool prints on the regular, there are many other boutique sustainable surf brands to get excited about.
The coolest sustainable surf brands
Vivida Surf
Vivida Surf bikinis and swimwear has been designed by surfers, for surfers. Made from recycled plastic bottles and shipped with compostable bags, Vivida Surf has sustainability in mind.
It’s one of the few brands that’s managed to combine the practicality of sportswear with fashion.
Get 15% off Vivida Surf using THESALTSIRENS code at checkout
Dkoko
Founded by two surf-obsessed Costa Ricans, Dkoko is a surf brand that with a rang of bikinis, one pieces, rashguards, and leggings–with a range of bikinis made specifically for surfers. Dkoko uses ultra-comfortable sustainable regenerated nylon called ECONYL®, made from fishing nets, carpet flooring and industrial plastic waste. It’s soft and stretchy! Mix and match sets in a range of colors and prints mean that you can customize your bikini to suit your body type.
Dkoko produces products locally, and all employees are given social security benefits, paid leave, and double salary during December.
Shop Dkoko – Use the code “SALTSIRENS” for 10% off your order!
Sensi Graves Bikinis
Sensi Graves is a professional kitesurfer and started her own eponymous bikini brand after struggling to find bikinis that still looked good without showing the goods. Sensi Graves Bikinis are the bikinis you reach for when you want the support of active wear but love the look of beach wear.
Check out their transparent 2020 sustainability initiatives to see the brand’s goals of transitioning to using fabrics made from discarded fishing nets and plastic bottles, using compostable liners and bags rather than plastic, and offsetting their carbon.
Get 20% off your Sensi Graves Bikinis Purchase
iaera surf
iaera surf is a refreshing boutique surf brand where each piece has been carefully designed. This boutique surf brands specializes in rashguards with matching bottoms–and many designs are reversible! Pack two sets of iaera surf on your next trip to save on sunscreen and have four different outfits for the water.
Each piece is produced locally in San Diego, California and cut fabric is repurposed into other items. Swimwear is shipped in recycled packaging.
Surf rashguards are rated UPF 50+ and come with a crew or cowl neck fit. Laura Day, surfer and founder of iaera surf also hosts a fun surf podcast called Confessions of a Lady Surfer.
Zealous Surf
We’re obsessed with Zealous, a sustainable surf brand based in Bali that crafts cute surf bikinis, surf suits, rashguards, and leggings. Zealous was created by a surfer who knows what to look for when creating a bikinis that stay put even in heavy surf. There is a strong mix-and-match elements to their surf bikinis, where you can pick from many different cuts of tops and bottoms, all within the same patterns. We especially love their Cruiser surf suit, made with recycled ocean plastics. Zealous also offers plus size swimwear up to cup G/4XL.
Sirensong Wetsuits
Sexy yet practical, Sirensong Wetsuit have some of the most unique jackets, spring suits, and one-piece wetsuits around. Each piece is made from limestone-based Yamamoto neoprene, sourced from Japan. Most options come two different bottom styles, so you can cover your cheeks–or not–depending on your personal preference.
All Sirensong Wetsuit designs are limited edition, and only produced in small batches. There’s something special about surfing in a wetsuit that’s one-of-a-kind.
Anowi Surfwear
Anowi Surfwear is a fun surf brand with pieces that are sure to keep your skin safe from the sun while still looking stylish. Choose between bikinis, rashguards, and surf leggings. We love that the rashguards have a hole for the thumb, preventing the top of your hands from getting scorched.
Each piece from this sustainable surf brand is made from upcycled fabric, crafted from post consumer plastic bottles. Another exciting aspect? Anowi is working on a system that will allow you to send in old swimwear to be turned into accessories and bikini bags.
Demalou
Demalou is the surf brand that offers a pick-me-up even on the gloomiest days. Patters are bright, fun, reversible, and each piece is built with performance in mind. Patterns are reversible, and we love the adjustable tops that make it easy for those with large chests and small rib cages (or vice versa) to find a surf bikini that fits. Fabric is made from post-consumer materials.
Hakuna Wear
Finally, surfwear with pockets! Keep your car key on you as you surf with Hakuna Wear, an innovative surf brand with sexy one-piece surf suits, bikinis, and shirts. If one of your favorite suits is torn, Hakuna Wear will repair it for a low cost–keeping it in your closet as long as possible.
Tide + Seek
Tide + Seek is the sustainable surf brand you can wear out in the line up and then to your neighbor’s pool party. Choose between mix-and-match bikinis and one pieces. Tops come in surf bralettes (best for smaller busts) and there are both cheeky and more-coverage bottom options. All swimwear is sewn from Repreve fabric, made from plastic water bottles.
The Bondi Alchemist
Surfers will love the fun prints on offer at The Bondi Alchemist, a sustainable surf brand that makes their surf suits and bikinis from Carvico, a fabric crafted from discarded fishing nets. Choose between mix-and-match bikinis, one pieces, and long-sleeved surf suits. If you have kids, get a matching one for you and one for your little grom, too.
What sustainable surf brands have we left off the list? Let us know in the comments below!
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