We’ve previously presented you with the best sustainable activewear brands and loungewear brands, but 'tis the season to shop for swim, so now we’re bringing you our sustainable swimwear roundup. The market is saturated by greenwashing and false claims of “eco-friendly” materials, and while factors like manufacturing practices, energy usage, and fair treatment of workers are all important things to consider when purchasing from a brand, for the purposes of this roundup, we’ve looked predominantly for brands that use sustainable materials.
From ECONYL — a regenerated nylon created from post-consumer waste (such as used fishing nets) — to other materials that meet the Global Recycled Standard (a system which verifies that recycled products have been processed in a climate-friendly way), many of the sustainable brands we found use materials that offer traditional swim qualities and features (stretch, water absorption, etc.) without being so harmful to the environment. And while many also include trace amounts of synthetic fibers that aren’t truly sustainable or recyclable, cleaning methods like handwashing or using microfiber-filtering laundry bags can all help prevent shedding.
While we hope this list will continue to grow, for now, here are 10 sustainable swimwear brands that deserve your attention (and hard-earned money) right now. Read on to learn more and shop stylish swimsuits for the summer.
All linked products are independently selected by our editors. If you purchase any of these products, we may earn a commission.
Sustainable materials: ECONYL regenerated nylon; recycled polyamide, polyester, and spandex
Created after the pandemic taught the creator of this brand about “the fragility of our ecosystem,” according to the website, Berlook's founder sought to design sustainable swimwear and activewear that didn’t hurt the environment. All of the brand’s swimwear options (including plus size swim styles) are created from eco-friendly recycled materials, such as ECONYL so that you can feel comfortable (hello, stretchy fabric!) while staying eco-conscious.
If you’re looking for luxurious swimwear that’s just as sustainable as it is stylish, look to Matteau. The Australian brand sells clothing and swimwear composed of several different recycled nylons. The plain swimwear is produced from Repreve nylon, the printed swimwear from ECONYL, and the crinkle textured swimwear from Q-Nova.
Matteau Asymmetric Maillot Swimsuit, $, available at Matteau
Zonarch Sustainable Swimwear
Sustainable materials: Recycled nylon created from post-consumer waste
Luxury swimwear with sustainable materials at affordable industry prices can be very hard to come by, but L.A.-based brand Zonarch does it well. The brand uses one or more recycled (and recyclable), natural, and organic materials across its sporty swimwear, but when natural fibers are not available, recycled yarns like regenerated nylon are used. Each suit is made from GRS-certified recycled nylon.
Sustainable materials: ECONYL regenerated nylon, LYCRA XTRA LIFE elastane
You may know Prana for its sustainable everyday basics and activewear, but the Columbian brand also offers swimwear. The full swim selection uses ECONYL regenerated nylon and most styles contain a blend of LYCRA EXTRA LIFE, a durable elastane that lasts 10 times longer than traditional swimwear materials.
Sustainable materials: Recycled nylon and polyester yarns from pre-consumer waste
Andie Swim offers R29 editor-favorite swim styles in timeless silhouettes and inclusive sizes. 75% of Andie Swim’s products are created from recycled materials, according to the brand. Most of the swimwear is composed of Eco-Nylon and recycled polyester from pre-consumer waste, which prevents the need to extract new raw materials for new styles.
Andie Swim The Tulum One Piece, $, available at Andie Swim
Reformation Sustainable Swimwear
Sustainable materials: Fulgar and ECONYL regenerated nylon, plant-based materials
After a long hiatus while the brand was working on making its swimwear even more sustainable, Ref Swim is back and better than ever. The vintage-inspired pieces are either made from renewable or plant-based materials, and predominantly from regenerated nylon blended with a bit of elastane. While elastane is synthetic, the brand recommends hand-washing its swimwear using its Guppyfriend bag to reduce shedding microplastics.
Summersalt offers “designer swimwear without the designer price” in inclusive sizes. The swim styles are made from the brand’s “signature swim fabric,” which is composed of 78% recycled polyamide from pre- and post-consumer waste (ex: fishing nets and elastane), which also offers UPF 50+ protection.
Summersalt The Perfect Wrap One-Piece, $, available at Summersalt
Mara Hoffman Sustainable Swimwear
Sustainable materials: PYRATEX created from wood pulp fibers, recycled nylon, and polyester
Mara Hoffman has been a sustainability maverick in the fashion industry for 24 years. While all of her namesake brand’s swimwear is produced from both recycled nylons and polyesters, there is also a PYRATEX swim collection, composed of dissolved wood pulp, which mimics the qualities and features of traditional synthetic swimwear without using traditional polyester or nylon. But act fast, because after Hoffman’s recent announcement, we know the spring 2024 collection and all remaining stock will be the last available pieces for the foreseeable future.
Mara Hoffman Lua Bikini Top, $, available at Mara Hoffman
Mara Hoffman Cece Bikini Bottom, $, available at Mara Hoffman
SU78 Sustainable Swimwear
Sustainable materials: Recycled nylon yarns
In SU78’s (Summer of 78’s) debut swimwear collection, the brand came out with a bang, using recycled nylon yarn that meets Global Recycled standards across each sleek and simple design. The swim tops purposely don’t include removable pads, as they contribute to the global landfill crisis. The brand instead suggests reusing cups from your other swimwear and adding them into the interior pockets.
SU78 Eco Sparkle Aimee Bottom, $, available at SU78
Jade Swim Sustainable Swimwear
Sustainable materials: Recycled fibers from fishing nets, plastic bottles, and fabric scraps
For sleek and sustainable swimwear, you can also check out Jade Swim, which uses responsibly sourced materials and recycled fibers from oceans and landfills that are chlorine-, oil- and cream-resistant. You also won’t find wasteful padding in its tops or one-pieces.
All linked products are independently selected by our editors. If you purchase any of these products, we may earn a commission.
There are few things shoppers purchase with the intention of wearing every day, for the rest of eternity. But that’s precisely what an engagement ring represents: the promise of forever, a symbol of love turned into a precious piece of jewelry that hugs the finger of a future life partner. As such, it is a significant investment — both in terms of sentimentality and financial value — and with endless designs and silhouettes out there, figuring out what makes for your perfect pick is no easy feat. While more traditional engagement ring trends like diamonds, gold or platinum settings, and classic shapes will never go out of fashion, the new year is bringing with it fresh selections worth considering, especially for those who are enticed by non-traditional ring styles.
As a result of a growing desire among consumers to select something that embodies the personality of its wearer, avant-garde styles will be in higher demand. “Towards the end of 2023, [I had] an influx of bespoke engagement ring requests that totally rip up the rule book on ‘traditional’ design,” says Kitty Fuller, founder and designer of the jewelry brand Kitty Joyas. “The idea that you can wear whatever you like as the symbol of your union is set to get bigger and bigger. In 2024, I expect to see the classic ingredients used to make up an entirely new and exciting era of designs.”
Add to that the fact that couples are modernizing the way they shop for rings, from approaching the process as a pair to opening their minds to second-hand pieces and lab-grown diamond alternatives, there will be ample opportunity to find the right ring for the right person in 2024. “From ultra-chunky settings to injecting a kaleidoscope of stone colors, this new wave of wedding jewelry reflects the larger movement at the moment, where people are embracing self-expression more than ever,” says Fuller.
Below, discover nine of the biggest 2024 engagement ring trends that are anything but traditional. Uncommon and personalized designs that defy expectations and celebrate creativity, these picks are as unique as the individuals who will be wearing them.
Engagement Ring Trend 2024: Ahead of the Curve
Engagement rings with curvy bands are rising in popularity, says Sidney Neuhaus, co-founder of the brand Kimaï and a GIA-certified gemologist. “[This is especially true] when paired with our complementary wavy wedding bands to create a modern and stylish stacked look. We know our customers love to rearrange and play with these stacks to keep their special piece feeling fresh and interesting, falling in love with the design again and again.”
Engagement Ring Trend 2024: Swirling Silhouettes
While halos are a common feature in engagement rings, there are increasingly creative ways of surrounding center stones with smaller diamonds or gemstones. Danish jewelry designer Sophie Billie Brahe is known for her playful take on timeless ring designs, namely the rounded silhouette of her Escargot ring which draws from the swirling shell of a snail. “Customers are moving away from the traditional solitaire diamond and are focusing on distinctive designs. Our signature rings with unique designs are in high demand from our customers,” Billie Brahe says. “Although they were not originally designed to be engagement rings, the styles are often sought out as modern bridal pieces.”
Engagement Ring Trend 2024: Sustainability Surge
According to a 2021 report by McKinsey & Company, sustainability practices have been playing, and will continue to play, an influential role in fine jewelry purchasing decisions, accounting for 20 to 30 percent of all sales in the category by 2025. Engagement rings are no exception to what’s been dubbed the “sustainability surge.” Leading brands are embracing pre-loved stones and bands made from recycled gold, and some are even offering in-house exchange programs for customers to send in their unwanted or broken jewelry in return for credits.
Engagement Ring Trend 2024: Bold Bands
Chunky shanks are challenging conventional engagement ring designs by playing with proportion and favoring thicker bands and settings as opposed to typically dainty styles. By allowing the band to make as much of a statement as the stone itself, these pieces have a modern and organic appeal to suit nontraditional brides-to-be who want something as bold as they are.
Engagement Ring Trend 2024: Nods To Nature
We often turn to nature in the realm of romance, from the symbolism of a single red rose to songs about doves and lovebirds serving as metaphors for significant relationships. Engagement rings, too, are borrowing from Mother Earth to imbue designs with meaning: a gold flower blooming with a rose-cut diamond; a shank made to look like interwoven vines signifying connection; eagle claw prongs as a sign of strength. Often these styles have a vintage appeal, striking a distinct balance between nostalgia and personality.
Engagement Ring Trend 2024: Multicolored Gems
If there’s one common theme that runs through the top 2024 engagement ring trends, it’s playfulness. Jewelers don’t take themselves too seriously, and neither should soon-to-be brides. Opt for an array of colors that capture the spirit of that special someone with a ring featuring multi-hued gemstones. For an extra special touch, consider birthstones representative of you and your partner.
Engagement Ring Trend 2024: East-West Orientation
Sometimes all it takes to turn something traditional into something a little… less so, is simply a shift in perspective. Literally. Rather than looking at a stone vertically as it is usually presented, consider a horizontal orientation for a trendy twist on any classic cut. From oval to emerald to pear to marquise, don’t hesitate to take your favorite shape and turn it on its side.
Engagement Ring Trend 2024: Gray Diamonds
Gray, or salt-and-pepper, diamonds have become increasingly popular as engagement rings these past few years. Originally known as imperfect diamonds, “they were considered an industrial byproduct so they weren’t worn,” according to Chupi Sweetman, founder and CEO of the Dublin-based fine jeweler Chupi that celebrated its 10th anniversary last year. (For every one carat of white diamonds mined, there are about 200 grey diamonds.) “They are just stunning. They are like mini galaxies and night skies.”
Engagement Ring Trend 2024: Going Ringless
London-based jeweler Tessa Metcalfe is noticing that more people want to be part of choosing the ring they’ll be wearing every day but don’t want to miss out on the romantic gesture of their partner selecting a meaningful piece of jewelry for them. Her suggestion? Propose with something else instead, like a one-of-a-kind earring. “That way you can choose something that pushes the boundaries and shows your partner how much you know their taste and humor whilst respecting their autonomy to choose the engagement ring together [later on],” she explains. You could also skip the ring entirely and embrace the engagement watch trend for a different take on the romantic gesture that is equally symbolic.
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All linked products are independently selected by our editors. If you purchase any of these products, we may earn a commission.
It looks like 2024 is shaping up to be one of the boldest years yet when it comes to fashion: Denim as eveningwear will be on the rise, non-celebrities will be going pantsless, and there will be bows aplenty. Accessorizing will be all about having fun, too, thanks to anklets with a luxury twist and innovative applications of mesh fabrics in footwear. Handbags will play an important role in 2024’s overall style reboot as well with some of the biggest trends dabbling in a bit of drama.
While Succession — in tandem with TikTok — is regarded as a catalyst for 2023’s biggest trend, quiet luxury, the aesthetic has had a ripple effect across the 2024 spring/summer collections, too. Also bringing the drama are the same 3D florals making waves across all fashion categories in 2024 along with bright blue hues that stand to steal the sartorial show. As always, there are more timeless trends for those of us who prefer not to cause a commotion with our closets. From the dazzling to the demure, we’ve compiled eight of the top handbag trends for 2024 to help carry you through the coming months of great style.
Handbag Trend 2024: Circular Shapes
Trends are cyclical, and sometimes that circularity can be applied quite literally in the realm of design. Case in point: Designers like Altuzarra, Louis Vuitton, and Longchamp featured round purses on their spring/summer 2024 runways. Whether it’s a petite style with a top handle or something more convenient that can be worn across the body, circle bags are on deck to hit a wardrobe home run.
Handbag Trend 2024: Double Up
Why stop at one purse when you can carry multiple? Alaïa, Coach, and Jil Sander are doubling down on the double bag trend, styling smaller, top-handle purses over larger carryalls. Whether you need the extra storage space or you’re simply aiming to make a style statement, opt for a medium-sized, minimalist base like a black tote that you can pair with a mini (or micro!) bag for an added layer of texture, color, or shape.
Handbag Trend 2024: Snakeskin Print
Borrowing from one of 2024’s top shoe trends are handbag styles featuring a snakeskin print. The daring motif can function as a neutral in shades of brown or gray as it did at Fendi, or it can be more of an embossed accent piece in vibrant shades like Gucci’s neon green or Rejino Pyo’s bright blue (more on this particular hue later). Don’t hesitate to pair your reptilian-inspired pick with matching kicks or even an overcoat in the same pattern — if Jil Sander’s coordinating ensembles are to be trusted, there will be no such thing as too much snake print in 2024.
Regardless of what Tom Wambsgans might think, a remarkably large bag is about to be the most on-trend thing to carry around in 2024 — at least according to mega designers like Givenchy, Bottega Veneta, Prada, and, of course, The Row, quiet luxury’s leading label. Be it the immense, ground-grazing leather sacks at Victoria Beckham or the canvas gardening bags at Max Mara that could fit the contents of an entire studio apartment, the bigger, the better as far as purses go. There’s nothing ludicrous about it.
Handbag Trend 2024: Bright Blue
While stark whites dominated the color palette of many spring/summer 2024 collections, there was a different hue catching our eye in the accessories area: bright blue. Isabel Marant, Versace, Giorgio Armani, and Ferragamo featured handbags in everything from majorelle to robin’s egg to sky blue, while a single cerulean purse was a standout piece in a sea of bright white on the Valentino runway.
It’s been a decade since the New York-based brand Mansur Gavriel launched its bucket bag, and still, the style’s popularity endures (searches for “Mansur Gavriel bucket” have over 400 million views on TikTok and the bag continues to be a favorite among stars like Taylor Swift and Sarah Jessica Parker). Add to that similar styles being endorsed by the likes of Alexander McQueen, Stella McCartney, and Miu Miu, and it’s fair to say the trend might just be on the brink of its biggest year yet.
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All linked products are independently selected by our editors. If you purchase any of these products, we may earn a commission.
What’s better than a buttery-soft sports bra? A 2-in-1 buttery-soft sports bra! Lululemon has just launched the new Bend This collection that features four sports bra styles in the brand’s signature soft, stretchy, and sweat-wicking Nulu fabric with reversible designs that are meant to be layered. How does that work? We had the same question so we sought to find out.
When I first learned about the new drop, I assumed that “reversible” meant the sports bras could be worn inside out. But in actuality, the four-style collection can be worn front or back. In addition to offering two looks depending on how you wear them, the Bend This bras were designed to be layered over one another, offering even more styling possibilities.
When selecting which Bend This pieces to review, I took layering inspiration from the styling on the Lululemon site (see photo below). I also kept in mind which color combinations (the styles come in six summer-ready hues) would work best with each other — and with my personal style.
The long-line sports bras are offered in sizes XXS/XS, S/M, and L/XL and are suitable for those with A-C cups. While I usually teeter between a medium and large (numerical 8 to 10 in clothing and 36C in bras), the size guide suggested size S/M. I got one of each style in a range of colors, as well as Lululemon Align High-Rise 6” Shorts in a size 10 to pair with them all.
First thoughts: As expected, the Nulu material is stretchy and ultra-soft. When I put the bras on, they offered light support (best for low-impact workouts) and looked smooth and seamless on the body. But how did these Lululemon new arrivals actually fare when layered and reversed? And how versatile are they really? Read on to find out.
I love a one-shoulder moment, as well as Kelly green, so I immediately carted up the Bend This One-Shoulder Bra because I could also see myself wearing it outside of the gym this summer. I was pleasantly surprised when I saw a bra cup in between the lining that could be removed and hooked to the opposite side when reversed. While the bra cups were visible on lighter-colored bras (more on that below), they provided seamless coverage in this colorway (and likely other darker hues like black).
The sports bra was comfortable, flattering, and unexpectedly secure. It offered even more support when I reversed it and layered it over the Scoop and Square Bra (I removed cups from the other bra so it didn’t get bulky) — a plus for when I’m actually working out. I would wear the one-shoulder style solo for stylish athleisure looks and layered for my workouts.
The Scoop and Cross bra style can be worn as a halter neck silhouette with keyhole detailing or a plunging neckline. I tested the former first and was pleased with the fit. The design looked intentional, and not like I got dressed in the dark and accidentally threw the bra on backwards. In terms of fit, the high neckline, arm openings, and cutout didn’t dig in anywhere as can often be the case with similar silhouettes.
After I reversed it, I layered it over the V and Racer Bra, which created a seriously stylish look. While I liked the contrasting colors, I would be curious to layer the two styles in the same shade. My one complaint was how visible the bra cups were, so, in the future, I’d wear the Scoop and Cross bra cup-less, especially when layering.
If you’re looking for a no-nonsense, tried-and-true sports bra silhouette, go for the Scoop and Square Bra. It is clean, simple, and functional. While it’s perhaps the least statement-making design, it may offer the most versatility (and chest support!).
This style was equally flattering, front or back, and the wide neckline allowed me to layer it with more intricate neckline styles. In addition to wearing it under the One-Shoulder Bra (as seen earlier), I styled it over the V and Racer Bra (pictured here). Overall, I was very happy with the fit and this bright blue colorway.
I was the most hesitant about the V and Racer Bra because of the narrower-than-normal neckline and skinny racerback shape. That said, it surprisingly ended up being my favorite layering option; I reached for this style when wearing it over and under the other sports bras. When styled with the white Align shorts, the all-white look gave Milla Jovovich Fifth Element vibes… and I was digging it; when paired with the Scoop and Cross Bra, it offered more coverage and support.
If you’re looking for a sports bra that can effortlessly be worn on its own in two different ways, and also easily layered with the other Bend This bras, this style is the one to pick.
