Sustainability – our promise to you.

We really want to make a difference to our planet.

We manufacture our swimwear sustainably and ethically in Bali using Repreve for our swimwear. Repreve is the leading, most trusted, branded performance fiber made from recycled materials such as fishing nets, plastic bottles, land fill plastic, etc.

Repreve ensures reliable, durable quality while remaining very soft to wear. The fabric feels like silk when worn and holds it shape after prolonged use.

We test all suits in the water; swimming, diving and surfing for months to ensure that we provide you the highest quality pieces. Our suits do well in chlorinated water too, providing the care instructions are followed after use.

Waste reduction - our process.

When we manufacture our pieces, we try to reduce our waste as much as possible. We make scrunchies out of the leftover fabric, make a few sample/trial suits as possible and plan our fabric cutting to ensure we make the most of what we have. By hand designing the patterns, we are able to ensure we are happy with the styling before we print to ensure reprinting is limited.

Supporting small business - our manufacturers.

For us, having ethical and sustainable manufacturing processes is the number one priority. We work with a small family business in Bali, who ensure their workers get paid well. They have great working conditions and normal working hours.

To ensure we can make this claim, we have been there and seen it for ourselves. It took us a long time to find manufacturers that aligned with our values, and we are so proud to partner with them.

Our little Bali team are like family to us and we face-time with them often.

Only leave footprints...

Our collections and prints are inspired by Katie’s surroundings.

Our patterns are based on items such as a 70’s sun umbrella Katie bought from an op-shop and the surf board cover that she was gifted from her brother many years ago which made from recycled retro curtains.

As we move into sustainable suits, our latest collection HAWAII, is inspired by Katie’s childhood memories from the 90’s, where everything was bright, colourful and fun! Hawaii was only a place she dreamed of going then now its become another home away from home for her.

This collection is truly unique and Katie wouldn’t have it any other way.

"A life in colour is always brighter"

How it began...

After launching Barefootbanditz in my home town of Christchurch in 2018, I then went on to follow my heart and moved to be with my then fiancé (Jay) in the south coast of Sydney in 2019.

New Zealand will always be home, but home for me is now where Jay and the beach is.

Excited to be in a much hotter climate our plan was always to relaunch Barefootbanditz in Australia.

Three years later after a roller coaster ride, pushing through covid and waiting patiently for some more normalcy, I finally got married after being apart from my family for so long. It was such a special and magical day!

This meant I could now focus on all things swim!

We are so excited to be releasing our first ever fully sustainable swimwear range, three years in the making! Taking our time to make sure it is perfect means we are now so happy with our new Hawaii collection! Enjoy!

– Katie