The Perfect Swimsuit

Posted on: 29 September 2020

If you start shopping for swimwear, you will soon notice that most bathing suits are made from nylon, spandex, polyester, and other artificial materials that are not necessarily good for the planet. If you are trying to live in a more sustainable way, then you probably don't want to bring one of these swimsuits into your life. Thankfully, there are some more sustainable, eco-friendly materials that companies are beginning to use to make swimwear. Learn about a few of them below.

Recycled Plastic

There's a reason why spandex and nylon are so commonly used for swimwear. These materials are stretchy, they dry quickly, and they are easy to color. There are some companies that have begun to use recycled plastic to make materials similar to nylon and spandex. Since they are using recycled materials, they are not contributing any extra waste to the planet as they make their bathing suits, and they are keeping waste from being hauled off to landfills. If you really like the look and feel of today's "typical" bathing suits, then recycled plastic-based materials are probably a smart choice for your swimwear.

Bamboo

If you have only ever seen bamboo in stalks or formed into floorboards, the idea of using it to make swimwear may sound pretty strange. However, bamboo can be shredded very finely and then spun into threads that are woven to make cloth. The resulting material is pretty stretchy, soft, and sheds water easily. Hikers have long used bamboo clothing because of how well it dries, and so companies have recently begun using it to make swimwear, too. Bamboo swimwear does not always cling to your body as well as nylon or synthetic swimwear, and it tends to come in more natural colors.

Recycled Fabric

There are other swimwear companies that have started to create swimwear from entire pieces of recycled fabric. They may obtain this fabric from donation centers or as leftovers from factories. They only use fabric that is in good condition and that would have otherwise become waste. Swimwear made from these fabric remnants tends to be colorful and funky. The manufacturers combine pieces of different materials in creative ways. 

If you wish to live your life sustainably, then make sure you are purchasing clothing made from sustainable materials — and that includes your swimwear! You have plenty of options, so try a few things on and see what feels right. Visit a website like dosgardenias.com to browse more options.