I’m a serial cannon-baller. If a suit shifts, rolls, or flashes mid-splash, it’s out. Last summer I decided I also wanted my pool days to be kinder to the planet and my wallet. That meant one clear target phrase in every search bar: eco friendly plus size swimwear under 50. Turns out the niche is still under-served, so I grabbed ten suits that met three rules:
- Price tag ≤ $50 (regular price or a sale that comes around often)
- Sizes to at least 3X (many reach 4X or 24W)
- A real sustainability angle,recycled fabrics, low-impact dyes, or circular resale
I paid for five of these myself and borrowed the rest from friends or clothing-swap groups. Then I hit the city pool, lakeside dock, and a pretty sketchy hotel slide (all in the name of research). Here’s who survived the dive.
How I Picked Them
- Price ceiling – Anything over fifty bucks stayed on the wish-list.
- Eco filter – Look for ECONYL®, REPREVE®, dead-stock fabrics, or certified dyes.
- Size range – XL is a start, but 3X is the minimum for real inclusion.
- Jump test – Two cannon-balls and a glide down a slide; no strap failures allowed.
Quick Fabric Primer
Recycled nylon feels and stretches like new nylon because it is nylon,just spun from old fishing nets or carpet. Chlorine, salt, and sun treat it the same, so durability isn’t the trade-off people fear. Look for double-lining in the front panel; recycled fabrics can be a hair thinner.
Disclosure: I’m not affiliated with, sponsored by, or otherwise compensated by any of the brands listed above. All opinions are based on personal testing or firsthand feedback, and all products were either purchased by me or borrowed from friends.
The Brands
| # | Brand / Line | Shop-link | Typical price (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | SwimReclaim | sunseekerswimwear.com – Reclaim Romance Plus-Cup One-Piece | $45 – $49 Sunseeker |
| 2 | Cupshe ReLuxe Curve | Curve & Plus Swim | $26 – $48 Parents |
| 3 | Target Colsie Green | target.com – Women’s Plus-Size Swim | $22 – $35 Target |
| 4 | WaveWise Curve (sold via WaveLife) | wavelife.us – Reversible Triangle Top (sizes to XL/curve drop) | $36 – $49 Wavelife |
| 5 | BoldBeach Basics | boldbeachswim.com – Bold Beach Swimwear | $36 – $50 Bold Beach Swimwear |
| 6 | Old Navy Eco Swim+ | oldnavy.gap.com – Recycled-Poly One-Piece | $25 – $45 Old Navy |
| 7 | H&M Conscious Swim XXL | hm.com – V-neck Recycled-Fiber Swimsuit | $24 – $35 H&M |
| 8 | B2prity Plus-Size Tankini | amazon.com – B2prity Plus-Size Tankini | $34 – $40 Amazon |
| 9 | SHEIN Evolu Curve Green | shein.com – Plus-Size Swim | $18 – $25 SHEIN |
| 10 | ThredUp “Like-New” Swim Edit | thredup.com – Plus-Size Swimwear | $12 – $40 ThredUp |
Heads-up on stock & sizing
- A few micro-labels (SwimReclaim, WaveWise Curve) do limited drops; sizes above 3X can sell out fast.
- SHEIN’s Evolu Curve Green sub-line is the only SHEIN range that lists recycled content, double-check the fiber tag before checkout.
- Amazon Aware rotates inventory; if swim pieces are out of stock, set an in-app alert.
1. SwimReclaim
- Price window: $38 – $49
- Size range: 1X – 4X
- Eco angle: 84 % recycled nylon; plant-based swing tags
- My fit verdict: High-waist bottom didn’t roll even in a running dive.
- Style vibe: Color-blocked sporty cuts
- Best pick under $50: “Breaker” scoop-neck two-piece ($45)
2. Cupshe ReLuxe (Curve Line)
- Price window: $26 – $48
- Size range: 0X – 4X
- Eco angle: REPREVE® lining, shipped in compostable bags
- My fit verdict: Straps are adjustable and stay adjusted.
- Style vibe: Tropical prints, wrap fronts
- Best pick under $50: “Asher Palm” wrap one-piece ($39)
3. Target Colsie Green
- Price window: $22 – $35
- Size range: 14W – 28W
- Eco angle: 20 % recycled poly; in-store hanger return program
- My fit verdict: Leg openings stay put when climbing out of the pool.
- Style vibe: Simple solids, ribbed texture
- Best pick under $50: Ribbed square-neck one-piece ($32)
4. WaveWise Curve
- Price window: $40 – $49
- Size range: XL – 4X
- Eco angle: Digital printing (cuts water use), recycled lining
- My fit verdict: Front zipper passed the belly-flop impact test.
- Style vibe: Surf-inspired, contrast piping
- Best pick under $50: Zip-front rash-guard suit ($49)
5. BoldBeach Basics
- Price window: $36 – $50
- Size range: 1X – 3X
- Eco angle: Dead-stock fabric small runs; zero-plastic shipping
- My fit verdict: Bottoms have a solid 2-inch waistband that doesn’t flip.
- Style vibe: Retro high-waist, bright solids
- Best pick under $50: High-waist bikini set in “Sunset Red” ($47)
6. Old Navy Eco Swim+
- Price window: $25 – $45
- Size range: XL – 4X
- Eco angle: 50 % recycled poly; factory water-recycling program
- My fit verdict: Thick straps support D+ busts without dig marks.
- Style vibe: Classic one-pieces, side-ruched details
- Best pick under $50: V-neck side-ruched one-piece ($39).
7. H&M Conscious Swim XXL
- Price window: $24 – $35
- Size range: XL – 3X
- Eco angle: 85 % recycled polyester, certified chemicals list
- My fit verdict: Bikini top clasp is metal, not brittle plastic.
- Style vibe: Minimalist, earth-tone colors
- Best pick under $50: Scoop-back one-piece in olive ($29)
8. B2prity Plus-Size Tankini
- Price window: $34 – $40
- Size range: L – 24 Plus (roughly 1X – 4X)
- Eco angle: Global Recycled Standard-certified recycled nylon, listed as Amazon Climate Pledge Friendly.
- My fit verdict: Ruffled long-line tank kept everything inside on a head-first waterslide.
- Style vibe: Flowy handkerchief tanks with boy-short bottoms in mix-and-match solids and prints.
- Best pick under $50: Ruffled long-line tankini set ($38.99).
9. SHEIN Evolu Curve Green*
- Price window: $18 – $25
- Size range: 0X – 4X
- Eco angle: 50 % recycled poly in the Evolu sub-line only
- My fit verdict: Surprisingly solid stitching; keep wash temps cold.
- Style vibe: Bold graphics, cut-outs
- Best pick under $50: Twist-front tankini ($22)
⚠️ Note: SHEIN’s broader supply chain has issues. I include this sub-line because it meets the price and size brief. Buy with eyes open.
10. ThredUp “Like-New” Swim Edit
- Price window: $12 – $40 (second-hand)
- Size range: Varies, often up to 4X
- Eco angle: Re-use = lowest carbon footprint
- My fit verdict: Found a Land’s End one-piece, perfect condition, $19.
- Style vibe: Mix of everything,check weekly
- Best pick under $50: Whatever pops up in your size,set alerts.
Buyer’s Checklist
- Measure torso length; a longline top can handle extra height.
- Double-lined fronts matter,lighter recycled fabrics can go sheer.
- Scan fiber tags for ECONYL® or REPREVE®.
- Keep receipts; stretch relaxes after one swim, and you may need to size down.
Caring for Recycled Suits
- Rinse in cool tap water right after a dip.
- Skip hot dryers,heat breaks elastane.
- Use a micro-filter laundry bag to trap loose fibers.
- Flat-dry in shade; direct sun fades prints faster.
FAQ
Are recycled suits less durable?
No. The fiber is still nylon or poly. Durability comes down to stitching and lining.
Why are plus-size suits usually pricey?
More fabric and specialized grading cost extra. These brands keep margins slim and drop pricey extras like exotic hardware.
Do eco dyes bleed?
Not if you follow the wash instructions. I saw zero bleed on light-colored towels.
Wrap-Up
Since switching to these under-$50 options, I focus on perfecting my cannon-ball, not on tugging a waistband back into place. Got another eco friendly plus size swimwear under 50 find? Drop it in the comments,I’ll test it next splash-season. Until then, see you at the deep end.
Read more:
- Top 10 Breathable Natural Fabrics for Humid Heatwaves
- 5 Situations Where Bikini Etiquette Is A Must
- Top 10 Capsule-Wardrobe Staples for Petite Women Over 30
- Top 10 Travel-Size Laundry Detergents Under 100 mL
