Women surf brands actually started by women, unfortunately, didn't happen till much later in the story of beach culture and surfing.
We recently wrote about 24 of the best surfer clothing brands.
When looking at the history of bikinis, you'll quickly realize one strange thing.
The first bikinis were designed by men.
Simultaneously, the bikini freed women from gaudy beach attire while objectifying them.
Even as women surf brands such as Roxy was founded in the early ’90s, they were only a marketing move by the larger male-dominated surf company founders.
In turn, their marketing created an objectification of how female surfers were portrayed in ads and marketing.
For some women, minimal surfwear shows their feelings about their right to being comfortable in the water.
Resisting any notion they should repress their body.
Function, on the other hand, is necessary in any sport. In every activity, function is essential.
Small Bikini Tops Don't Stay Put Small bikinis won't stay put.
Women's requirements weren't entirely met and choices weren't fully offered to them because the influences that determined women's surfwear design were not completely under their control.
Starting in the 2000s, indie, female-founded women surf brands began making a mark in the industry.
Finally creating surfwear which could function in the sport of surfing. While also being stylish.
Right now, there are more women surf brands popping up every day.
Here are just a handful of women's surf brands founded by females that are putting out great surfwear.
Women surf brands we love
September The Line
Erika Seiko Togashi is a designer who has worked for Patagonia, J. Crew, and Deus Ex Machina.
When she started September The Line, you could see that she had been influenced by her experiences with those companies.
Her line includes a combination of utility, originality, and edge.
Togashi focused on her vision after relocating from New York to Bali and realizing the scarcity of surfwear alternatives.
Their clothes are designed for both men and women.
We focus on fit, color, and environmentally friendly materials instead of details that are not needed.
Their designs have simple silhouettes and we never compromise performance.
Their clothes always look good and are timeless classics.
Mixing luxurious sustainable Italian fabric with well-considered technical features and flattering curves.
Abysse
The founder of Abysse was born and grew up on Tahiti's largest island.
After becoming a surfer, model, and traveling the world throughout her teenage years, she longed to do something meaningful.
Being a conscious manufacturer entails reclaiming power and promoting what they believe in in the ever-growing fast fashion industry.
Cami and Jax
Cami and Jax is a line of high-quality swimwear that was started by friends who grew up on the beaches in Kauai.
They have trendy and timeless designs that have gained them a lot of fans on the west coast.
The suits are designed to be comfortable and made for moving around and surfing.
Cami and Jax's goal is to empower women, which they continue to do with their innovative designs that focus on strength and power instead of conventional ideas of beauty.
Designers Jackie Brady and her sister Camille, a former professional surfer, have always had a passion for the ocean.
To this day, you can usually find them wearing their bikinis!
They founded their company with the goal of creating swimwear that would allow people to feel just as comfortable and free in their clothes as they do while surfing or swimming.
Dolphin Love
Dolphin Love is an underground, independent swimwear brand that operates a bit differently than other brands.
For starters, they only make small and limited series with a maximum of 30 pieces per series.
They also release new series every month instead of following the traditional seasonal approach.
Additionally, their cuts are a mix of old-school traditional swimwear from the '20s with a touch post-modern Californian bikinis from the '80s.
Lastly, they are proud to work exclusively with high-quality materials mostly imported from Italy and boast some of best sewing quality found in Bali – all handmade by two talented seamstresses in their tiny workshop.
Kassia Surf
KASSIA+SURF creates the most functional wetsuits, accessories, and lifestyle gear in a way that has minimal environmental impact.
They believe in supporting people in exploring this beautiful world we live in and expanding their horizons through healthy choices and experiences.
Seea
Seea is a surfwear company that sells everything from bikinis to rashguards to women's wetsuits.
They provide a variety of designs and patterns for women of all tastes.
The majority of the line is made from recycled, upcycled, or natural materials, and it's produced within 70 miles of their headquarters in San Clemente.
Seea is a feminist surfing brand dedicated to connecting ladies with themselves, their community, and the environment.
They provide items and stories that inspire confidence, development, and a passion for imperfection during every stage of a woman's journey to self-discovery.
Ninefoot
NineFootStudio produces eco-friendly surf suits that are both functional and stylish.
The company was founded by Spanish surfer and designer Lucia Roman, who has been connected to the ocean her whole life.
After moving to Bali, she fell in love with surfing and decided to start a company that would produce quality activewear while also helping the environment.
Shaming activewear onto the world will only serve to demean women and make them feel, think, and move less confidently.
To assist women, their basic but practical designs are painstakingly developed.
