Best Beach Clothing Brands Worldwide: Our Top Picks
Growing up in a landlocked state, I dreamed of beach vacations. I would cut out magazine photos of sun-drenched celebrities in dreamy destinations. I imagined joining Gidget and her friends on the beach, and I rocked out to Rock-A-Hula Baby in my bedroom.
Over the years, I’ve been blessed to visit some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. My travels have taken me to the pink sands of Bermuda, the endless coastlines of Florida and the Gulf Coast, the tropical paradise of Hawaii, and the golden beaches of Aruba.
With each journey, my suitcase evolved, mirroring my changing tastes and needs in beach clothing. From my youth’s carefree, vibrant styles to the more refined, elegant pieces of my later years, my beachwear reflected my journey, a testament to my evolving sense of style. Yet, one thing remained constant – my passion for staying on top of resort-style trends and brands.
In this article, we’ll explore the world of beach clothing brands together, from sustainable and eco-friendly labels to those celebrating size inclusivity. We’ll discover unique brands from different regions and highlight UV-protective beachwear. We’ll also compare affordable and luxury brands, helping you navigate the vast sea of beachwear options.
Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Beachwear Brands
In a world where fast fashion often takes center stage, it’s refreshing to find brands that prioritize sustainability. These eco-friendly trailblazers understand that style and substance can coexist, creating beachwear that’s as kind to the planet as it is flattering.
Importance of Sustainability in Beachwear
Sustainability in beachwear isn’t just a trend—it’s a necessity. As we become more aware of our environmental impact, it’s clear that our choices, including our fashion choices, matter. Choosing sustainable beachwear means supporting brands prioritizing eco-friendly materials and ethical manufacturing processes. It’s a small but significant step towards preserving the beautiful beaches we love so much.
Eco-Friendly Materials
- Recycled Fabrics: Many sustainable brands use fabrics made from recycled materials, such as plastic bottles, textile waste, or old fishing nets. This not only reduces waste but also gives new life to materials that would otherwise end up in landfills or oceans.
- Organic Cotton: Unlike conventional cotton, organic cotton is grown without harmful pesticides or synthetic fertilizers. This makes it a safer choice for the environment and the workers involved in its production.
- Hemp and Bamboo: These fast-growing plants require less water and fewer pesticides than cotton, making them more sustainable choices for fabric production.
Ethical Manufacturing Processes
- Fair Trade Practices: Brands that adhere to fair trade ensure that workers are paid fair wages and work in safe conditions.
- Low-Impact Dyes: Traditional dyeing processes can harm the environment due to the chemicals used and the water required.
- Local Production: By producing their products locally, brands can reduce their carbon footprint associated with shipping and support local economies.
Top Sustainable Beachwear Brands
These brands lead the charge in eco-friendly fashion, proving that you can look fabulous while caring for our planet.
- Summersalt: Known for its vibrant colors and inclusive sizing, Summersalt uses recycled materials to create its stylish and sustainable swimwear.
- Aguaclara: A family-owned Peruvian brand, Aguaclara is known for its ethically designed, timeless beachwear, responsibly handmade by skilled artisans, with a commitment to quality, authenticity, and community empowerment.
- Wolven: Wolven creates its unique, patterned swimwear from recycled bottles, proving that sustainability and style can go hand in hand.
- Vitamin A: This brand uses a fabric made from recycled nylon to create its chic, eco-friendly swimwear.
- Matteau: Matteau offers timeless swimwear pieces made from sustainable and high-quality materials.
- Ookioh: This brand is known for its modern, affordable swimwear made from regenerated materials.
- Faithfull The Brand: With a commitment to social responsibility, Faithfull The Brand offers handmade, stylish swimwear using ethical manufacturing processes.
- Londre: Londre’s minimalist swimwear is made from recycled plastic and designed to flatter all body types.
Inclusive Beachwear Brands
Inclusivity in beachwear is about more than just offering a range of sizes. It’s about celebrating diversity, promoting body positivity, and ensuring everyone feels confident and comfortable in their beachwear.
You may also enjoy reading: Luxury Shopping in Bermuda: A Paradise for Resort Wear Enthusiasts
Importance of Size Inclusivity in Beachwear
Size inclusivity in beachwear is a game-changer. It’s about recognizing and catering to the fact that beauty comes in all shapes and sizes. When brands embrace size inclusivity, they send a powerful message: everyone deserves to feel fabulous on the beach.
Best Beach Clothing Brands That Promote Body Positivity
These brands are breaking down barriers and challenging traditional beauty standards with their inclusive size ranges and empowering messaging. My word of caution: Check the sizing because sometimes inclusive sizing only means XL and not the full range of sizes for people of size.
Aerie: Aerie is committed to promoting body positivity and inclusivity, and they never retouch their models.
Chromat: For over a decade, Chromat has been promoting body positivity with runway shows and ad campaigns showcasing people of all shapes, sizes, and ages.
Summersalt: Summersalt offers a wide range of sizes and their designs are made to flatter different body types.
Kitty and Vibe: This brand designs swimwear with different body shapes in mind, promoting body positivity.
Swimsuits For All: As the name suggests, this brand caters to all body types, promoting inclusivity and body positivity.
Best Beach Clothing Brands by Country/Region
The world of beachwear is as diverse as the people who wear it. From the sun-kissed shores of Australia to the chic beaches of France, each country and region brings its unique flair to the beachwear scene. Let’s embark on a global tour of beachwear styles, exploring how geography and culture shape the designs we love.
Australia: Known for its laid-back beach culture, Australian brands like Seafolly offer relaxed and functional beachwear that’s perfect for a day of surfing or lounging on the beach.
France: French beachwear, represented by brands like Eres and Nénés Paris, exudes elegance and sophistication. Think chic one-pieces and stylish bikinis that wouldn’t look out of place on the French Riviera.
Latin America: Latin American brands like Agua by Agua Bendita and Adriana Degreas bring a vibrant and colorful flair to beachwear, reflecting the region’s tropical climate and lively culture.
United Kingdom: British brands like Amber London and Kalita offer a mix of classic and contemporary styles, from timeless one-pieces to trendy bikinis.
Caribbean: A Caribbean-born brand, Ochie Swim offers sustainable, high-quality swimwear and resort wear. Inspired by the vibrant colors and spirit of the Caribbean islands, it caters to women who embody this spirit, regardless of where they are.
UV-Protective Beachwear Brands
As we bask in the sun’s warmth, we must remember the importance of protecting our skin from harmful UV rays. Thankfully, several beachwear brands have risen to the occasion, offering stylish pieces that provide UV protection.
Importance of UV Protection in Beachwear
You may love the feel of the sun on your skin, but it’s essential to remember that prolonged exposure to UV rays can lead to skin damage. In my generation, we rarely used sunscreen and thought sunburns were essential to get a tan. We’re paying the consequences of that now.
“Of all ages, this generation [Baby Boomers] has seen the biggest increase in incidence rates of melanoma,” reports Cancer Research UK. The most deadly form of skin cancer, Merkel cell carcinoma, is also on a steep rise among Baby Boomers, according to researchers at the University of Washington School of Medicine.[1]
You can increase your sun safety by using sunscreen and wearing UV-protective beachwear, which acts as a shield, blocking harmful rays and keeping your skin safe.
Top UV-Protective Beachwear Brands
Several brands are leading the way in UV-protective beachwear, combining style and safety in their designs. Some of these include:
UV Skinz: Specializing in sun-protective swimwear for the entire family, UV Skinz offers a range of UPF 50+ beachwear.
Coolibar: Known for their sun-protective swimwear, Coolibar offers a wide range of styles that provide excellent UV protection. It’s my family’s personal favorite for UV protective clothing.
Cabana Life: Founded by a skin cancer survivor, Cabana Life offers stylish sun-safe clothing, with all garments offering UPF 50+ protection.
Tuga Sunwear: Tuga Sunwear offers stylish UPF 50+ sun-protective swimwear, sun hats, and water shoes.
Affordable vs. Luxury Beachwear Brands
Whether you’re on a budget or looking to splurge, there’s a beachwear brand out there for you. Let’s explore some affordable and luxury options to help you find the perfect fit for your style and budget.
Affordable Beachwear Brands
In my quest for affordable beachwear, I found that many brands are part of larger corporations. These companies can leverage economies of scale to offer lower prices. However, I often found that the personal touch, the story behind the brand or collection, was missing.
That said, my approach to beachwear is practical. Most of my resort wear needs to be affordable, but I do like to splurge on a few statement pieces from luxury brands. It’s all about finding the right balance. Whatever your approach or needs, these stylish beachwear brands won’t break the bank:
Mango: A globally recognized fashion brand, Mango offers a wide range of trendy and affordable beachwear. The brand is known for its commitment to constant innovation, international presence, and a unique distribution ecosystem that combines physical stores with a powerful online platform.
Zara: A globally recognized Spanish brand, Zara offers a wide range of trendy and affordable beachwear. The brand is known for its fast-fashion approach, responding quickly to the latest trends and customer feedback. Zara’s commitment to beauty, clarity, functionality, and sustainability is reflected in its products and customer service.
Calzedonia: An Italian brand known for its stylish and affordable beachwear, Calzedonia offers a variety of options, from chic swimsuits to breezy cover-ups. The brand is committed to quality and style, curating its range with the finest fabrics and colors for a flattering finish. Calzedonia also offers a range of beach accessories to complete your beach look.
Luxury Beachwear Brands
If you’re looking to splurge on high-end beachwear, these luxury brands offer top-quality materials and designs:
PatBO: Founded by Patricia Bonaldi, PatBO is a Brazilian brand known for its intricate craftsmanship and unique prints. Each piece is meticulously detailed, reflecting the brand’s dedication to quality and beauty.
Hannah Art Wear: This ethereal resort wear brand is a fusion of artistic creation, artisan collaboration, and human connection. Each garment is thoughtfully designed, transforming artistic strokes into stitches.
Camilla: An Australian brand founded by Camilla Franks, Camilla is celebrated for its vibrant and bespoke bohemian lifestyle offerings. The brand’s unique aesthetic is instantly recognizable, with prints hand-drawn and painted by in-house artists, and pieces cut and sewn by hand. Camilla’s collections are inspired by her global wanderings, resulting in limited-edition pieces treasured by collectors.
Final Thoughts
Exploring the world of beach clothing brands has been as diverse and exciting as the beaches themselves. From sustainable and eco-friendly brands to those promoting body positivity, from unique regional styles to UV-protective options, and from affordable to luxury brands, there’s a vast sea of options.
Remember, the best beach clothing brand is the one that makes you feel confident and comfortable, aligns with your values, and suits your style and budget. So whether you’re planning a tropical getaway or a staycation by the pool, I hope this guide helps you find your perfect beachwear match. Happy shopping, and don’t forget the sunscreen!
Frequently Asked Questions
As we wrap up our exploration of the best beach clothing brands, let’s address some common questions that often come up when shopping for beachwear.
What are the best sustainable beachwear brands?
Brands like Summersalt, Vitamin A, and Wolven are known for their commitment to sustainability, offering stylish beachwear made from recycled materials.
Which beachwear brands offer size inclusivity?
Brands like Aerie, Chromat, and Kitty and Vibe are celebrated for their size-inclusive ranges, promoting body positivity and ensuring everyone feels fabulous on the beach.
What are some popular beachwear brands from different countries/regions?
From the laid-back Australian styles of Seafolly to the chic designs of French brand Eres, there’s a wide variety of beachwear brands that reflect the unique styles of their respective countries/regions.
Which beachwear brands offer UV-protective clothing?
Brands like UV Skinz, Coolibar, and Cabana Life offer a range of stylish beachwear that also provides UV protection.
How do affordable and luxury beachwear brands compare?
While affordable brands like Mango and Zara offer stylish and budget-friendly options, luxury brands like Camilla and Hannah Art Wear provide high-end designs and premium materials. The best choice depends on your budget and personal style preferences.
[1] Paulson, K. G., Park, S. Y., Vandeven, N. A., Lachance, K., Thomas, H., Chapuis, A. G., Harms, K. L., Thompson, J. A., Bhatia, S., Stang, A., & Nghiem, P. (2018). Merkel cell carcinoma: Current US incidence and projected increases based on changing demographics. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 78(3), 457–463.e2. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaad.2017.10.028
