Swimwear 101: Eco Bikinis Under $100

I decided I need a bikini this year.

From the outset, I’d completely brushed off the idea of finding an eco-friendly bikini that (a) fit, and (b) cost less than $150.  Why?  Because as readers of The Demoiselles have seen, my measurements don’t conform to any standard sizing guide.

Bust: 38 inches…due to a 32DD bra size.
Waist: 30 inches.
Hips: A whopping 40 inches – my butt causes car accidents.
Height: Five foot- (almost) -one.

So, thinking I could find something cheap and coerce my friend Lissa to alter it, I went to Target.

We grabbed a few suits and began pinching them here, pulling them there.  Lissa was adamant: she could alter this bandeau top, the one that looks really cute but is too big around the back and a smaller size would get me ticketed for indecent exposure, and it would be pretty easy…and she wouldn’t need to alter the bottom, and…

Wait, this top is twenty dollars?  And the bottom is seventeen?  Really?

Okay, no.  I am not spending $37 for a bikini that looks okay, then having a friend spend hours altering it, only for summer to end and the suit to be relegated to trips to the sauna after working out.

So I’m back on the hunt…and trying the eco idea again.  Here’s what a first look – for only suits under $100 and at least sort of eco-friendly – found:

Jungle Gurl The Mikaela Bikini in Tiki ($82 $54.95) and
The Kelia Bikini in Reptile Print ($102 $67.95)

…Jungle Gurl?  I’d never heard of them, but apparently they make their clothes out of recycled, repurposed and vintage fabrics. There are a number of different styles and color choices in the swimwear section (even a limited edition gold foil version of these two suits, here and Jungle Gurl The Jungle Gurl x Melody Ehsani Mikaela Bikini in Gold Rush , Swimwear for Women) but these are my two favorites.

Clare Bare Reverse Tankini: $88

Vintage style with a modern twist, handmade by a fantastic etsy designer.  This one’s made of bamboo jersey(!!) and natural elastic.  I think I’m in love.

Eco-Panda Paint Splatter Bikini: $38.50 $19.99 each piece

This string bikini is made from eco-friendly recycled nylon and chlorine-resistant spandex, and only costs three dollars more than my Target choice. It has removable cups, too, which add much needed support for those of us with heavier chests.  I just can’t believe Delia’s has an eco designer listed on their site. Maybe they’re finally catching up to the times.

ErosDIY Sugar Skull Bikini: $57

Custom-fitted + Day of the Dead + Adjustable top = OH MY GOD CAN I HAVE IT PLEASE.  (I love el Dia de los Muertos.  It’s a thing.)

Coastal Rose Italian Tricot Bikini: $68

Double-lined and handmade via Etsy.  I love the color scheme – it’s timeless.

DesNeiges Tony Chicago Top: $26

Inspired by men’s tuxes, I can see this looking really, really hot on a busty girl with some hips.  (The bottoms are sold separately, and there are tons of coverage options at DesNeiges [Etsy].)

Lastly, I’m going to make a couple of exceptions to the “under $100″ rule, because they’re too gorgeous to resist:

Katharine Hamnett Bikini: $175

Coverage, support, sex appeal, and it even comes in nautical colors. ALSO: 100% organic cotton.

Miss Brache Custom Maillot: $115

My love affair with Miss Brache (Etsy) is neverending.  This maillot (that’s a two-piece that looks like a single suit) is custom made to your exact measurements, and this lady is never wrong.  She even makes custom suits, including replicas of some gorgeous pin-ups (only $98).

What have you been wearing to the beach this summer?

Tags: bandeau tops, bikinis, eco, etsy, organic cotton, swimwear

Comments (6)