Stick with Patagonia or Outerknown for eco swimsuits.

Yes, there are good eco-friendly swimsuit brands, but don’t overthink it. Patagonia and Outerknown have been doing this long enough that you’re not paying for marketing hype. Patagonia uses recycled nylon and has a repair program. Outerknown uses Econyl (regenerated ocean waste) for their suits and they’re Fair Trade certified.

A few other names pop up if you want something trendier — Summersalt uses recycled materials and has good fit options, and Seea is great for surfier styles. But most “eco” swimwear is just recycled polyester with a green label. That’s fine, but don’t expect it to biodegrade. It’s still plastic, just reused plastic.

I’d skip anything that doesn’t list the exact material or certification. If they’re vague, they’re greenwashing. You don’t need a dozen suits. One or two from a legit brand will last longer and actually help.

Your beach towels don’t need to match your ethics — but your swimsuit might as well.