Back in the day, “green” and “stylish” weren’t two words you expected to hear in the same sentence. Thank goodness times have changed! These days, there are so many choices, it’s easy to be eco-chic.
We continue our Green Week celebration of the 40th anniversary of Earth Day by highlighting eco-friendly swimwear. “Forty years later we see that caring for our environment is not a trend and luckily every year that goes by it becomes easier to do so in a fun, fashionable manner,” says Eco Expert Sandra Sanchez, founder of the eco-Web site www.orGLAMic.com.
Not only is buying an eco-friendly suit good for the environment, but it is also good for your health. Many of the pesticides and chemicals used to create conventional swimwear have been linked to cancer and other health risks. Eco-friendly suits are sustainable and can be made of organic cotton, soy, bamboo and Tencel, all of which leave a less significant impact on our Earth’s finite resources.
No matter what your style – from flirty floral to sassy animal-print to boho-chic tie-dye, there is an eco swimsuit out there for you. Sandra shares a few of her favorite ways to be eco-chic this Summer.
Jungle Gurl
Inspired by the gorgeous vintage garments purchased during her global travels as a model/actress, designer Natalie Golonka now creates one-of-a-kind swimsuits with her finds. It is great to know that clothing destined for a landfill is being upcycled into these chic bikinis. Whether you’re in the mood for a wild animal print, a demure floral look or a classic take on the chain link pattern, these unique prints are fun and bold and the cut of the bikinis fit divinely. Fans of vintage clothing, such as Nicole Richie and Rachel Zoe, love this swimwear line. www.junglegurl.com
loyale
Offering more than just swimwear, loyale makes dressing gorgeously a breeze with designs made of organic cotton and other sustainable fabrics. Celebrity fans of the line include Blake Lively, Jessica Alba, Rachel McAdams and Emily Deschanel. Their Hermosa bikini is made of organic cotton and uses low-impact dyes that let you jump on this Summer’s floral trend with sweetness and ease. In addition, the company uses solely recycled and tree-free paper products and donates 1% of annual profits to Green Corps, a non-profit that trains the next generation of environmental leaders. www.loyaleclothing.com
Nikster
Nikster’s eco-bikini line is made from sustainable soy, organic cotton, bamboo and other natural fibers which all promote a healthy and sustainable lifestyle. The most recent line was manufactured in the US, further reducing the company’s carbon footprint. In addition, you can feel good knowing that 5% of gross sales are donated to helping globally responsible charities and organizations which focus on helping protect endangered sea turtles. www.niksters.com
Kelly B
Kelly B offers a complete line of clothing, including adorable dresses, tee’s, skirts and shorts perfect for summertime. The eco-friendly apparel is made of organic cotton and other natural fibers including bamboo. Made in California, Kelly B’s swimwear line is one of the most diverse, with a look and cut for every style and body type out there. www.kellybcouture.com
ACCESSORIES
Tote Bags:
Sea Bags are uber-fashionable custom recycled totes that are one of my favorite eco-items on the market! Each bag is hand-made in Maine out of recycled sails, making it super durable and eco-conscious. Each bag is one-of-a-kind… I personally take the large tote with a gold leather anchor applique with me every time I hit a pool party or the beach! Sea Bags has implemented a great program in order to get sails for reuse, where one can turn in used sails in exchange for a Sea Bag or a donation to a sailing school. www.seabags.com
The Itzy Ritzy Wet Happened? bags let you stylishly store items (anything from wet swimwear, to sunscreen that you want to avoid leaking) without using a plastics bag. Available in 11 fashion-forward patterns, these bags are reusable, durable and machine-washable. I personally love the Damask and Hollywood patterns, but with the wide variety of patterns and sizes there is a Wet Happened? bag for every eco-conscious consumer out there. www.wethappened.com
Sunblock:
Soleo Organics All Natural Sunscreen
This organically-produced sunscreen is as good for the environment as it is for your health! With zinc oxide as the active ingredient, there are no harmful chemical UV-absorbers, titanium dioxide, synthetic preservatives, colors or fragrances. Not only does it feel great on your skin and you can rest easy knowing that your body isn’t absorbing so many toxins, but this great product is also biodegradable. www.soleousa.com
For more eco-chic ideas or more on Sandra Sanchez, go to her site www.orGLAMic.com.
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