From Beach to Bar: How Sustainable Resort Wear is Taking Over the Fashion Industry

As summer approaches, many of us are excitedly planning our beach vacations and picturing ourselves lounging under palm trees with a piña colada in hand. And of course, packing for these trips is always a highlight - choosing the perfect swimsuits, cover-ups, and accessories to make a statement on the sand. But have you ever considered the impact that your resort wear choices might have on the environment? 

The fashion industry is notorious for its negative impact on the planet, but a new trend is emerging: sustainable resort wear. From eco-friendly materials to ethical production practices, designers are taking steps to create beautiful pieces that are also kind to the earth. In this article, we'll explore why sustainable resort wear is becoming a major trend, and highlight some of the most exciting brands leading the charge. So whether you're headed to the beach or the bar, you can look and feel great while doing your part for the planet.

The negative impact of fast fashion on the environment 

The fashion industry is one of the largest polluters in the world, with fast fashion being a major contributor to the problem. Fast fashion is a term used to describe the rapid production of inexpensive clothing that is designed to be worn for a short period of time before being thrown away. This business model has a devastating impact on the environment, as it requires large amounts of energy, water, and raw materials to produce, and results in huge amounts of textile waste. 

In addition to the environmental impact, fast fashion has a human cost as well. Many of the workers who produce fast fashion are paid very low wages and subjected to poor working conditions. This has led to numerous incidents of worker exploitation and even tragedy, such as the collapse of the Rana Plaza factory in Bangladesh in 2013, which killed over 1,000 people. 

Despite these issues, the fast fashion industry continues to grow, with consumers demanding more and more cheap clothing. However, there is a growing movement towards more sustainable and ethical forms of fashion, including sustainable resort wear.

The rise of sustainable fashion 

As awareness of the negative impact of fast fashion has grown, so too has the demand for more sustainable and ethical fashion options. Sustainable fashion is a term used to describe clothing that is produced in a way that minimizes its impact on the environment and the people involved in its production. 

Sustainable fashion can take many forms, including the use of eco-friendly materials, ethical production practices, and the promotion of slow fashion, which emphasizes quality over quantity and encourages consumers like us to buy less but better clothing. 

One area of sustainable fashion that has been gaining popularity in recent years is sustainable resort wear. This type of clothing is designed specifically for vacation and travel, and is typically made from lightweight, breathable fabrics that are perfect for warm weather.

Benefits of sustainable resort wear

There are many benefits to choosing sustainable resort wear over fast fashion options. Firstly, sustainable resort wear is typically made from eco-friendly materials, such as organic cotton, linen, and bamboo. These materials are grown without the use of harmful pesticides and chemicals, and are biodegradable, which means they won't contribute to the growing problem of textile waste. 

On top of the environmental benefits, sustainable resort wear is often produced using ethical and fair trade practices. This means that the workers who produce the clothing are paid fairly and work in safe conditions, which is not always the case with fast fashion. 

Sustainable resort wear is also designed to be durable and long-lasting, which means that you can wear it for many vacations to come. This promotes the concept of slow fashion, which encourages consumers to buy fewer, high-quality pieces that will last for years, rather than constantly buying cheap, disposable clothing.

Sustainable materials used in resort wear 

As we mentioned, sustainable resort wear is typically made from a variety of eco-friendly materials that are lightweight, breathable, and perfect for warm weather. Some of the most popular sustainable materials used in resort wear include: 

- Organic cotton: This is cotton that is grown without the use of pesticides or other harmful chemicals. It is a popular choice for resort wear because it is lightweight and breathable, and can be made into a variety of different clothing items. 

- Linen: Linen is a natural fiber that is made from the flax plant. It is a popular choice for resort wear because it is lightweight and breathable, and has a relaxed, beachy vibe. 

- Bamboo: Bamboo is a fast-growing plant that requires little water or pesticides to grow. It is a sustainable alternative to traditional cotton, and is often used to make lightweight, breathable clothing. 

- Tencel: Tencel is a fabric made from eucalyptus trees, and is known for its softness and durability. It is often used in resort wear because it is lightweight, breathable, and easy to care for.

Sustainable design practices in resort wear 

In addition to using eco-friendly materials, sustainable resort wear designers also employ a variety of sustainable design practices to minimize the environmental impact of their clothing. 

Some of these practices include: 

- Zero waste design: This is a design technique that aims to minimize waste by using every scrap of fabric, and creating clothing that has no leftover material. 

- Upcycling: Upcycling involves taking old clothing and turning it into something new and fashionable. This is a great way to reduce textile waste and create unique, one-of-a-kind pieces of clothing. 

- Ethical production: Many sustainable resort wear brands use ethical and fair trade production practices to ensure that their clothing is made in safe, healthy conditions, and that the workers who produce it are paid fairly.

Sustainable resort wear brands to know 

There are many exciting sustainable resort wear brands out there, each with their own unique style and approach to sustainability. 

Some of the most exciting ones to know about include: 

- WILD & Bree: An GOTS certified, organic linen, ethically produced with olive in the UAE. This new brand was born for a need for attainable high quality report wear for every budget. 

- Patagonia: Patagonia is a well-known outdoor clothing brand that is committed to sustainability and ethical production practices. Their swimwear collection is made from recycled polyester and nylon, and is designed to be durable and long-lasting. 

- Mara Hoffman: Mara Hoffman is a luxury resort wear brand that is committed to sustainability and ethical production practices. Their clothing is made from eco-friendly materials such as organic cotton and linen, and is produced using fair trade practices. 

- Faithfull the Brand: Faithfull the Brand is an Australian-based brand that creates beautiful, bohemian-inspired resort wear. Their clothing is made from sustainable materials such as organic cotton and linen, and is produced using ethical and fair trade practices. 

- Vitamin A: Vitamin A is a swimwear brand that is committed to sustainability and ethical production practices. Their swimwear is made from eco-friendly materials such as recycled nylon, and is produced using fair trade practices.

How to shop for sustainable resort wear 

If you're interested in shopping for sustainable resort wear, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, look for brands that are transparent about their sustainability and ethical practices. This might include information about the materials they use, their production processes, and their commitment to fair trade. 

You should also consider the materials used in the clothing. Look for materials that are eco-friendly and biodegradable, such as organic cotton, linen, and bamboo. Avoid materials that are synthetic or made from non-renewable resources. 

Finally, consider the longevity of the clothing. Look for pieces that are well-made and designed to last, rather than cheaply-made items that will fall apart after one or two wears. This promotes the concept of slow fashion, which is all about buying fewer, high-quality pieces that will last you for years.

The future of sustainable resort wear 

As awareness of the negative impact of fast fashion continues to grow, it's likely that sustainable resort wear will become even more popular. We’re increasingly interested in buying clothing that is eco-friendly, ethical, and well-made, and sustainable resort wear ticks all of these boxes. 

In the future, we can expect to see more sustainable resort wear brands emerging, as well as established brands incorporating sustainable and ethical practices into their collections. This is great news for the environment, as it means that we can continue to enjoy beautiful, stylish clothing without sacrificing our commitment to sustainability.

Sustainable resort wear is a growing trend that is taking the fashion industry by storm. From eco-friendly materials to ethical production practices, this type of clothing is designed to be beautiful, stylish, and kind to the earth. 

Whether you're headed to the beach or the bar, choosing sustainable resort wear is a great way to look and feel great while doing your part for the planet. So next time you're packing for a vacation, consider choosing sustainable resort wear - your wardrobe (and the planet) will thank you.