7 Ethical Brands We Love This Summer

That $10 swimsuit you're eyeing may seem like a good deal, but someone is paying the price for that cheap suit- even if it's not you. The recent documentary "The True Cost" exposed how the fast fashion industry is depleting our earth’s resources and leveraging slave labor to pass on "cheap" costs to the end consumer. Interested in combating these unethical practices? Here are 7 companies that are making a positive difference when it comes to creating a more sustainable fashion industry. Be proud of what you wear this summer!

1. Pura Vida Bracelets

Pura Vida Bracelets / Via Instagram: @puravidabracelets

Every Pura Vida Bracelet is carefully hand crafted in Costa Rica, bringing much needed full-time jobs to 100+ local artisans. The company has also partnered with over 190 different charities to date, donating more than $935,358. Pura Vida means "pure life" in Spanish, and you'll feel the good vibes as soon as you slip one on. String, braids or beads, bright colors or neutrals, with every kind of charm you can imagine- from nautical to lotus to arrowheads- there's something for everyone to love! Mix, match and stack to create a style that's unique to you.

2. Isla Bohemia Bikinis

Isla Bohemia Bikinis / Via islabohemiabikinis.com

Isla Bohemia is this summers hottest new bikini brand, for bohemian babes who are wild and free- just like the sea. Every bikini is hand-made in America with love, making it one of the few swimwear companies left that doesn't cut costs with overseas sweatshops or child labor. Every piece is completely reversible, which means just 1 bikini set gives you 4 different looks- providing you with more options when mixing and matching, cutting down on your summer spending and saving you room in your beach bag (or suitcase).

3. Sand Cloud Towels

Sand Cloud / Via sandcloudtowels.com

With so many prints and colors to choose from, you will be sure to find a towel that matches your summer style. They also come in various sizes, some fitting up to three beach lovers at a time! Plus, Sand Cloud donates 10% of sales to protect and preserve marine life. What's not to love?

4. Coola Sunscreen

Coola / Via coolasuncare.com

Coola uses natural and organic products, sourced from local vendors, to protect your delicate skin AND the environment. They're recycle friendly, and animal cruelty free. Not to mention they come in super cute bottles with delicious smells like Pina Colada and Guava Mango. They also sell sunless tanners to maintain that year-round glow!

5. Wild And Free Jewelry

Boho Soul Bikinis / Via Instagram: @bohosoulbikinis

Summer means festival season, and Wild And Free's butterfly crowns are this years festival essential. With each piece, the designer hopes to encourage others to embrace a side to fashion that reaches past materialistic desire and into a world emphasizing confidence, happiness, and living wild and free. When you buy from Wild and Free, you're supporting a small local business, as every piece is hand-made by the designer- no mass production here.

(Butterfly crown shown with Boho Soul Bikinis)

6. Toms

Toms / Via toms.com

Toms shoes are a summer essential! They're super comfortable, and you're sure to find a style that suits every occasion- from plain black to tie-dye, eyelet to watermelon print. With every purchase, Toms helps a person in need through their One for One campaign. This includes providing shoes, sight, water, safe birth and bullying prevention services. Some of their notable contributions to date include providing hookworm medication for over 2 million children, restoring the sight of over 445,000 people through eye surgery and prescriptions, and supporting safe birth services for over 700,000 women.

7. Amour Vert

Amour Vert / Via amourvert.com

Just because you're shopping consciously doesn't mean you have to sacrifice style. Amour Vert clothing is always on-trend, plus they boast a zero-waste design philosophy, which includes local, made-in-the-USA manufacturing, non-toxic dyes, and sustainable fibers. Amour Vert even plants a tree with every tee purchase.