You know what they say: if you have a body, and a beach, then you have a beach body, and you're definitely beach-ready! Here are some eco-awesome companies to check out to get you suited up and ready to welcome the sunshine.
Vitamin A
Eco-luxury beach styles
Vitamin A is a California-based swimwear company with drop-dead gorgeous designs, local production and some exquisite, signature eco-fabrics that fit, feel, and perform beautifully. Their NeoLux and EcoLuxTM swim fabrics are made with recycled nylon to conserve resources and LYCRA® XTRA LIFE TM fibers to extend the life of each swimsuit beyond that of traditional spandex products.
Their après-beach styles are sustainable not only in their use of natural fabrics, such as Eco Linen, but also in terms of style – these pieces are splurge-worthy and willstay in your wardrobe until your toddler daughter grows up and steals it from you when she moves out to university.
To further reduce their environmental footprint, Vitamin A uses waterless digital printing technology, produces locally and ethically using factories that conserve water and energy use, and donates a percentage of their profits to environmental organizations.
Vitamin A swimsuits and après swim styles are available at Nordstrom, Holt Renfrew and select boutiques across Canada. Shown here are the Brena Maillot in Eco Sandstone, Maroma Jumpsuit in Black Eco Linen, and Natasha Back Zip Maillot in Black NeoLux.
Nettle's Tale
Canadian beach beauties
Nettle’s Tale is a Vancouver-based company that manufactures locally and creates “honest swimwear for the everyday woman.” Their inclusive swimsuits are incredibly versatile and thoughtfully designed to fit women of all shapes, sizes and age.
They have a storefront in Vancouver and a warm, engaging website that makes it a pleasure to shop with them online. Their swimsuits are inspired by, modeled by and named after local women. As you shop, you can read a profile about each of these uniquely beautiful women and every time her suit design is sold, 10% of the profits will go to a charitable cause she’s passionate about.
Shown here are the Britney Set in Black/Grey. The versatility of the Britney is a big hit with moms. Sales of this suit support a very family-oriented cause, the Dalit Freedom Network.
Magic Bottoms in Black, Chocolate Brown, and Char Mix Grey. Like the Britney, the Magic Bottoms are very versatile and will beautifully fit a changing body. The same size (medium) Magic Bottoms fit a girl who's pants size 6 and another woman who's pants size 12, which is pretty amazing. These bottoms can be scrunched up or down, depending on whether you’d like to wear it high-waisted/modest or low-riding for a tan.
Proof
Handcrafted and sustainably produced sunglasses
Proof is an Idaho-based company that handcrafts eyewear from sustainable materials including FSC-certified wood, cotton-based acetate, and repurposed skateboard decks.
The company uses a socially conscious business model, donating a portion of sales to worthy causes around the world through their Do Good Program, implementing a Recycle Program for their products, and openly publishing their Supplier Code of Conduct and values around maintaining an ethically sourced supply chain.
Proof sunglasses are available at Nordstrom and specialty shops across Canada, as well as through their online store. Shown here are the Boise Zebra Gold, Banks Eco (Blue Silver Polarized Lens), and Beloved x Proof Collab (Pizza Polarized Lens).
Bôhten
Canadian-designed wood sunglasses
Another great choice for protecting your eyes while you enjoy the sunshine is Toronto-based eco-luxury eyewear maker, Bôhten.
These sharp looking glasses are designed in Canada and handcrafted in a zero-waste facility in Ghana, using reclaimed wood from the heart of West Africa. Through their Impact of One program, for every pair of glasses sold, Bohten makes a donation to Sightsavers’ global work in developing countries such as Ghana.
Shown here are Bôhten's Hanson Matte Sunwear, made from sapele wood re-purposed from discarded furniture and cabinet parts. Exstel Tortoise Sunwear, made from reclaimed sapele wood and tortoise acetate (manufactured from wood pulp).
