Swimwear is an essential summer staple for many people. However, when its time to shop for a new bathing suit, sustainability is often the last thing you think about. The vast majority of people will buy whatever suits their budget and style preferences without giving any thought to the process behind how these pieces is made or what types of materials were used in its production.
What you wear to the beach can have an impact on our environment, so it’s important to know what type of fabric you should be looking for when purchasing new swimwear for summer. With a new focus on eco-friendly fashion, there have been a number of enhancements in sustainable textiles, namely ECONYL, REPREVE and natural fabrics.
Here are some of the fabrics used in sustainable swimwear you should know about.
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Why Do We Need Sustainable Fabrics?
Fashion is one of the most wasteful industries in the world, producing millions of dollars and hundreds of thousands of tonnes worth of textile waste. With an average garment lifespan of 2.2 years and an even shorter style cycle, brands and clothing businesses are having to constantly create new designs to satisfy an ever changing and growing demand.
While it is inevitable that most pieces find their way to a landfill, further polluting the environment, there has been a major move towards sustainably producing fabrics for clothing and swimwear, making it easier than ever to contribute to a better environment.
Natural Vs Synthetic
There are two key categories when it comes to sustainable swimwear – natural and synthetic or recycled fibre.
Natural Hemp
Hemp is one of the most sustainable textiles on the market today, and requires a fraction of the water and energy to produce when compared to cotton, while retaining a higher fibre output.
As swimwear, hemp is an incredibly durable fabric that has excellent UV block. Additionally, Hemp is naturally resistant to pests, ensuring that no pesticides are used in production. This means that the clothes produced by hemp contain no toxins or microplastics.
ECONYL
Econyl is a synthetic fibre fabric that is made using nylon waste from landfills and oceans. Although it is a recycled material, Econyl retains all the benefits of the original fibre while being able to be recycled and reused over and over again. This textile is a popular brand for sustainable swimwear as it is stretchy, tough and durable.
REPREVE
Repreve is a fabric made from 100% recycled plastic that helps to preserve natural resources by requiring less petroleum, energy and water to produce. As a popular textile, Repreve is reliable and durable making it ideal for creating chlorine resistant swimwear.
Make The Move Towards Sustainability with HoneyTrap Swim
Although they offer a number of benefits, traditional swimwear materials such as nylon and polyester shed dangerous microplastic into the environment. By making a move towards sustainable fashion, you can rest assured you are doing your part for a better future.HoneyTrap Swim offer a luxury collection of sustainable swimwear using ECONYL, REPREVE fabrics that ensure quality, comfort while minimising the environmental impact of the fashion industry. If you are looking for a high-quality bikini, shop the stylish and functional range at HoneyTrap Swim today!
