Mother Nature Has a Sexy Bikini!
By: Stephanie Benney
It’s getting to be that time of the year again….BATHING SUIT SEASON! Every woman dreads standing in front of the mirror, pasted into last year’s bathing suit. It’s when all of the donuts, chocolate cake and white russians announce their presence on your thighs, butt and midsection.
Even if you are one of those women who runs 10 miles a day, lives at the gym and never gains an ounce (by the way, we hate you in the most loving way possible), most women simply can’t start the summer season off without a new bathing suit. So, how about going the eco friendly direction?
I know, normally when you hear the word bathing suit, your next thought isn’t typically eco friendly. However, thanks to a little creativity and designers who are pushing to merge bathing suits, organic materials and fashion forwardness into the same neighborhood, we are able to be the eco friendly sun goddesses we were always meant to be.
So, for this week’s post, I thought I would put together a list of eco friendly swimwear designers to check out. You’ll be surprised…they are HOT, HOT HOT!
My personal favorite designer is Nikster, known as the “sexier side of green”. Picture exotic designs executed flawlessly in earth tones, accented with shells, bamboos and stones and you’ve got Nikster. You can also accessorize your flattering new suit with their line of eco jewelry and eco beach hats. At Nikster, recycled materials are used whenever possible and at least 5% of their gross sales are donated to helping globally responsible charities and organizations which focus on helping protect endangered sea turtles.
If you are in the mood for something a little more bohemian and romantic, Meadow is right up your alley. Not only are her designs amazing, so are her prices! Meadow is an actual “chick” and splits her time between Costa Rica and Miami. When she is living on her sustainable farm in Costa Rica, she rides her horse to her shop and studio in Pavones. All of her designs are sewn in Miami in and production and sourcing is all done locally. She uses organic materials, such as organic cotton, upcycled fabrics, soy and bamboo. She also practices good social stewardship by planting trees in Costa Rica and working with non profits that concentrate in community tree planting.
If you’re a girl on the go and spend all your free time catching waves in Cali, Odina Surf has the suit for you. You won’t have to sacrifice fit and functionality for eco responsibility. Odina offers sherbet flavored hues and tropical fabric motifs made from plastic fabrics and reclaimed fabrics. With cute, catchy names that mimic a beach girl’s lifestyle, each style was tested and perfected by actual team members of Odina Surf.
Regardless of what kind of girl you are, there is an eco friendly bathing suit waiting to make you feel good inside, look good outside and help you promote social and environmental stewardship. Go ahead…get your eco sexy on!
Stephanie Benney is a “Sustainable Visionary” and also the new Pittsburgh Representative for Fuzed Marketing, where she helps companies increase their brand presence. stephaniebenney@yahoo.com