Summer is one of my favorite times of the year. I love the heat, the more laidback spirit of things, and being outside. Even if you don't love the heat as much as I do, you may still love an opportunity to hang at the beach, the lake, or the pool.
One of the things I don't love about the summer is that I feel like it always arrives out of nowhere and I too often have no bathing suits to wear! How that happens every year, I don't quite understand...But don't worry, for at least the second half of the summer-- we've got you covered with 6 slow, ethical fashion brands from which you can buy your new suits!
Also, if you aren't quite able to cover the cost of one of these suits definitely stop by your closest second-hand shop or look online at Poshmark, Depop, Vestaire Collective, ThredUp, or if you're feeling fancy, TheRealReal. In case you're not quite ready to buy pre-loved bikini bottoms, that's okay! I have gotten some awesome bikini tops from my local thrift shop and match them with bikini bottoms I either already had or bought from one of the below brands!

1. Thief and Bandit
Image from theif & Bandit
Ethicality Details: "Every Thief&Bandit collection begins with the same intent- for our garments to empower the wearer, the same way we feel when we create them...Our workspace is a full production fashion studio, located at 1673 Barrington street, on the second level of a historic building in downtown Halifax. The open concept space is home to a 17ft long print table and sewing studio."
Thief and Bandit is a size-inclusive (up to 4XL), Canadian brand with swimwear and much more. Their small dedicated team works out of their Halifax studio. Their swimsuits are like groovy meets mother nature. Super cute and colorful with earthy patterns, they're made from "Chitosan, an EPA certified antibacterial,100% recycled polyester." I'd honestly also wear some of their bikinis as super cute summer tops!

2. LONDRE
Image from LONDRE
Ethicality Details: "We also can't take care of the planet without taking care of its people - our factories are all based in Vancouver, Canada and our sewers are all paid well above living wage."
Londre is also a size-inclusive, Canadian swimwear brand with many super unique styles. If you want to be sexy and one of a kind on the beach, this is your brand. They offer one and two pieces in a wide array of vibrant colors and some classic patterns. Each purchase you make contributes to building baby coral reefs and to removing garbage from the coast of British Columbia. I have a LONDRE suit that I absolutely love! I believe that they offer sizes up to 4XL.

3. Elle Evans
Image from Elle Evans
Ethicality Details: "Once an order is placed, founder, designer and seamstress -Elle, heads out to our workspace where four sewing machines, a cutting table and an industrial iron await...During busier times of the year we hired one or two extra machinists who also work out of our studio space. They're paid -by the hour not by piece sewn- above a minimum wage here in Australia, they work less than five hours at a time and stop for regular tea breaks and pats with the studio kitty cat, Louis."
Elle Evans, hails from Australia and is often a one-woman show when it comes to production! Elle, creates swimwear both the female-bodied and for kids! Their sizing goes up to 3XL. They have many color options and several unique patters. In fact, you can pretty much choose any of their bikini styles in any color you'd like. If you're looking for a classy swimsuit with or without coverage, maybe even in multiple colors, Elle is your girl!

4. BOWER.
Image from BOWER.
Ethicality Details: "We have partnered with a small atelier in Rimini, Italy called GISE SrL, who have over 20 years experience producing swim & resort wear. In line with the Code of Conduct we have set out with our suppliers Gise not only ensures to comply with 3rd party audits but pays a living wage to all employees whilst also providing employee benefits including paid holiday & sick leave, medical cover & maternity leave, in line with Italian business law."
BOWER. is a swimwear brand based in the UK. It was founded by a couple with decades of experience in the fashion industry. They have a beautiful, small batch of beautiful, high-quality swimsuits. As they put it, "we design with a focus on the now with a nod to the past."

5. Dazey LA
Image from Dazey LA
Ethicality Details: "Our apparel is hand drawn and handmade to order in LA...Our production process is fully ethical and our garment workers are paid a living wage and work in clean safe facilities."
Dazey LA is a bright and vibrant brand with swimwear and much much more. If you love color and graphics (I do!) then Dazey LA is your brand. Based in... you guessed it... Los Angeles, Dazey LA was founded by Dani who is an artist and designer of all sorts. "She aims to empower others to be bold and take daring risks from their wardrobe, home, to their everyday life." There's no way to not feel powerful in her mesmerizing designs!

6. ColieCo
Image from ColieCo
Ethicality Details: "Every single garment bearing the ColieCo label is made to order by our small team in our own studio in Sagres, Portugal."
ColieCo is a Portuguese swimwear and lingerie brand. Like Elle Evans, they have several styles of tops and bottoms that you can mix and match in various colors. If you're looking for a classic bikini with a slight twist, ColieCo might be your spot! And grab a bra or some panties while you're there! That's what I plan to do. Sizing goes up to 2XL.
As always, buy early so that you have your beautiful swimsuit in hand once you're ready to wear it AND so that you can let that anticipation of receiving your new gift to yourself build! And once you receive it, wear it over and over and over again.
I hope to see you rocking one of your new suits at your local pool or at a beach in a faraway paradise.
Also, don't forget that ALL bodies are beach bodies! Now and forever.
with peace, love, and joy,
Hillary
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