PUBLISHED March 18th, 2021 06:00 am | UPDATED April 2nd, 2021 01:22 pm
With summer year-round and plenty of sea and sand to bask in, swimwear is certainly a wardrobe staple in sunny Singapore. The very waters we love are too often polluted by plastic waste from disposable bottles to fishing nets – but luckily, there’re some homegrown brands changing the game with recycled and slow fashion pieces. If you’re hoping to splash out sustainably, here’re six local labels doing chic the eco way.
August Society
This Singapore-based label turns ocean-polluting plastic waste – bottles, ghost nets, fabric scraps – into a stylish range of men’s and women’s swimwear. In line with their slow fashion philosophy, each piece is designed to be reversible – you can go funky with tropical prints one day and classic, solid hues the next. Crafted with built-in UPF 50+ sun protection and run-resistant Lycra Xtralife, their swimsuits are sure to become trusty staples in your closet. If you’re going for eye-catching, how about the Biarritz Bandeau (S$30) with a daring V-shape cut?
Shop August Society here.
Haikini
If you’re more for chasing waves than lounging by the pool, Haikini’s surf swimwear is the perfect fit. Made for the adventure-seekers and cliff-divers, their functional bikinis range from sporty, high-waisted bottoms to strappy tops that don’t skimp on support. Each piece is handmade in Bali by artisans paid a fair wage, and leftover fabric from production is upcycled into protective pouches for your swimwear. For something that suits both surfing and sunbathing, we love the Cloud 9 Off Shoulder Bikini Top (S$52).
Shop Haikini here.
Align Swim
This local label is all about sleek, timeless swimwear, crafted sustainably from Econyl – nylon regenerated from landfill and ocean waste – as well as Repreve, a performance fiber that comes from recycled plastic bottles. From toga to bandeau tops, their handmade pieces will have you cutting an elegantly clean figure. Take your pick from chic tones like dusty blue, powder, and coral – each piece arrives in its own reusable storage pouch and 100% biodegradable bag.
Shop Align Swim here.
La Pêche Swim
Dreamt up by its two founders on a giant float in Ibiza, La Pêche Swim is all about sensuous sophistication. Not only does this luxury resort label source their recycled fabrics ethically from Italy, they also channel S$1 from every purchase toward two good causes: ocean conservation movement Project Zero and Daughters of Tomorrow, a charity empowering underprivileged women. The Saint Lucia in Sangria (S$290) is a stunning one-piece with a plunging neckline and a wine-purple shimmer; we’ve got our eye on their Kirbati Rope bottoms (S$140++) with playful tassels too.
Shop La Pêche Swim here.
UBU Swimwear
A play on the mantra ‘you be you’, UBU offers comfy, classic pieces that feel and look good. This homegrown brand makes their women’s swimwear with ECONYL nylon regenerated from synthetic waste, and even offsets their carbon emissions by working with Ecologi to plant trees around the world. Their swimsuits stand out with their eye-popping array of primary colours – plus the UPF 50+ fabric offers a handy dose of sun protection. Opt for reversible pieces like the Hemera – Vector (S$130), for those days you want to go bold with stripes and polka dots.
Shop UBU Swimwear here.
Coral Secret
Boho-breezy is the name of the game at sustainable beachwear brand Coral Secret. Starting out as a business bringing in ethical Latin American labels, they’ve now expanded to designing their own line of resortwear. Crafted from planet-friendly materials like natural palm fibers and Lycra recycled from plastic bottles, their pieces ooze laidback chic with floral and tropical prints. Check out the Boho Bikini Set (S$149), which comes with striking beaded details.
Shop Coral Secret here.
Top Image: August Society