Queen of Green: Sustainable Swimwear Under $100

Ever spent the weekend at the beach? After a few days in a bathing suit, chances are you experienced that not-so-fresh feeling. But despite what your mother told you, the discomfort may not be caused by a damp suit, but rather the fabric itself.

Say, what? Bear with us. Because of over-exposure, latex allergies are nearing epidemic levels: According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, between one and six percent of the population is allergic to the material, which can cause skin irritations, rashes, and more.

So what does this have to do with your bikini? Most swimsuits are made out of potentially allergy-inducing latex. Latex, which often contains petrochemical-based nylon and polyester, is produced during a process that creates nitrous oxide, a greenhouse gas 310 times more potent than carbon dioxide. Now consider the fact that latex is non-biodegradable and requires huge amounts of water for cooling, and we've got some serious ecological reasons to avoid the stretchy stuff.

With summer round the corner, we sussed out latex-free, sustainably made suits for all shapes and sizes. Some do include a small percentage of man-made spandex, which keeps the fabric on your body rather than at the bottom of your next wave. But back to that wasteful latex: It's not like you're going to go into anaphylactic shock from wearing a run 'o the mill swimsuit, but with eco-swimwear this sexy and sustainable, why take the risk? Here we've given you a few examples of sexy suits and guilt-free sites where you can find sultry swimwear with a sustainable twist.

itsy-bitsy, teenie-weenie, eco-friendly (hot!) bikinis

Looking for something itsy-bitsy, teenie-weenie? Deux FM's got you - just barely - covered with the Panther style, a traditional string bikini crafted from soy and organic cotton (inherently biodegradable), available at Nimli.com.

Gold stars to Loyale for the sexy-yet-flattering tie-front top and ruffled edges of their also organic cotton-crafted Hermosa Bikini, which takes the virginal-yet-sexy look just one sustainable step further. Wear the top with your Daisy Dukes and see who gets to ride shotgun in General Lee.

splurge on these one piece eco-wonders just under $200

Lina Rennell has cornered the market on what looks to be summer's hottest trend. Surprisingly sexy, these long-legged, halter-necked, organic cotton one-piece suits, hand printed and sewn in Northern California and available at Beklina.com, are as at home on the beach as they are in a yoga studio. Wear it with one of Lina's organic cotton headscarves for a full-on '70s vibe.

With its Farrah-worthy center ring and removable tie, Kelly B's Amanda one-piece has been a bestseller since we first wrote about it in 2007. Available at eco-retailer Nimli.com, now Kelly's sexy suits are made of fast-drying organic cotton and amazingly renewable bamboo, and the new styles come in fun colors, too!

stay protected: sustainable sunscreen

Don't make us say it again: Chemical sunscreens like PABA (para-aminobenzoic acid) and oxybenzone are absorbed into the bloodstream, break down in the sun and offer far less protection than their labels declare, according to the Environmental Working Group. We like products that eschew these and other nasties—like parabens, artificial colors and fragrances—and utilize zinc and titanium dioxide to provide a more environmentally-friendly and healthy physical barrier that no longer leaves you with big white splotches on your nose. We've found three sunscreens that beat the heat with smaller footprints!

Eco-famous in Europe and now available in the USA for under $30 at Target, Lavera's new Anti-Aging Sun Screen SPF 15 is an ultra light moisturizer and makeup primer that also happens to include a zinc and titanium based SPF. Bonus!

Don't you hate that feeling of chemical sunscreen in your eyes? Available for only $23 at Nimli.com, AZUR Face & Body SPF 40 is natural, chemical-free solar protection that’s safe to use all over—even around the peepers.

Finally, for you surf divas, Kiss My Face's new Sports Spray SPF 50, available in many chain drug stores, utilizes zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, cooling aloe and cucumber to create a sweat-resistant spray with maximum protection, but our old stand-by is Kiss My Face Kids Sun Stick SPF 30, which goes on clear or blue, so you can see where you need more.

wanting more?

For more information on sustainable products and fabrics to avoid, check out EcoStiletto's list of things that, well, suck!

Copyright 2010 Shoestring, LLC and EcoStiletto.com. Photo courtesy of EcoStiletto.com