Kitty & Vibe
Rated: Great
Price: $$
Location: USA
Quick verdict
Kitty & Vibe is best for shoppers seeking truly size-inclusive swimwear (XS–6X) with an innovative fit system based on butt size, a genuine first-to-market approach. The brand's woman-owned Colombian factory with above-minimum-wage pay and healthcare benefits tells a compelling ethical story. The main caveats: only about half the line uses recycled materials, there are no major third-party certifications beyond OEKO-TEX, and prices have increased notably since 2023.
Key info
- Headquarters
- Austin, Texas, USA
- Founded
- 2018
- Product categories
- Swimwear
- Price range
- $$
- Key certifications
- OEKO-TEX (on sustainable swim fabric)
Kitty & Vibe sustainability rating
Our ratings are based on a scale from 1 (We Avoid) to 5 (Excellent). How we rate
Rating breakdown
Approximately half the line uses 82% recycled polyester + 18% X-Life Lycra (one bikini set = 8 recycled plastic bottles). The other half uses conventional polyamide nylon and elastane. All fabrics carry SPF 50+ protection and are digitally printed (using less water than traditional dyeing). OEKO-TEX certified.
All production happens at a single woman-owned family factory in Bogotá, Colombia, in operation since the brand's founding. Workers receive above-minimum-wage pay, retirement plans, and healthcare benefits. The factory prioritizes hiring single mothers and women over 50. Products are 75% made by hand. The limitation: claims are self-reported with no third-party labor certification.
Digital printing reduces water usage. Crowdsourced launches forecast demand to minimize overproduction. 100% recycled mailers and biodegradable shipping bags. However, no published carbon footprint data, no circularity program, no environmental impact report, and no timeline for transitioning the full line to recycled materials.
The brand names its manufacturing country, describes factory conditions, identifies the factory leader by name, and shares worker benefits on a dedicated "Our Factory" page with photos and video. Better than many swimwear brands. But no supply chain audits, impact reports, or environmental metrics are published.
A full bikini set runs ~$150 ($78 top + $72 bottom), and one-pieces are $138. Comparable to Vitamin A and Jade Swim but pricier than Summersalt (~$95–$125 for sets). The innovative sizing system and ethical factory story partially justify the premium.
What they do well
- First-to-market butt-size bikini bottoms with two inseam options per hip size, tops sold by cup size (A–H), and fit-tested across four distinct size groupings rather than simply grading from a single size
- Genuine size inclusivity from XS to 6X with equal sales across the range: founder states they "sell just as many smalls as 2XLs"; all campaigns are 100% Photoshop-free using real customers
- Long-term ethical factory relationship with a single woman-owned facility in Bogotá since founding: above-minimum-wage pay, healthcare, retirement, and prioritized hiring of single mothers and women over 50
- Strong community engagement: customer-designed prints, community polling on designs, mood-boosting playlists with orders, and customers featured in campaigns
- Celebrity collaborations with Nicole Byer, Sloane Stephens, and Zoe Colletti: plus coverage in WWD, Forbes, Refinery29, and viral TikTok presence
Room for improvement
- Only ~50% of the line uses recycled materials, the brand has been transparent about this, but there is no published timeline or commitment for reaching 100% sustainable fabrics
- No major third-party certifications beyond OEKO-TEX, not B Corp, Fair Trade, or independently audited; all ethical claims are self-reported
About Kitty & Vibe
Kitty & Vibe was founded in 2018 by Cameron Armstrong, a former L'Oréal executive who identified a gap in the swimwear market: bikini bottoms sized generically rather than by actual body shape. The brand's innovation is a sizing system where bottoms are sold by butt size and tops by cup size (A–H), fit-tested across four distinct size groupings.
All production has occurred at the same woman-owned family factory in Bogotá, Colombia since launch, led by a woman named Ana. The factory pays above minimum wage and provides healthcare and retirement benefits, with a focus on employing single mothers and women over 50.
Approximately half the line uses 82% recycled polyester (from plastic bottles) with 18% X-Life Lycra, carrying OEKO-TEX certification. The brand expanded from swimwear into the "Play Dress" and holiday pajamas. Retail partners include Nordstrom and Dia & Co.
The brand went viral on TikTok and has attracted celebrity investors. Ecothes published a Q&A with founder Cameron Armstrong in July 2021. Current pricing ranges from $72–$138, with occasional sales. Free exchanges are offered, but returns carry a $10 restocking fee within a 14-day window.
Product highlights
Banded Triangle Top (Blue Floral)
Adjustable triangle bikini top, A–H cups
$78
#1 bestseller; the signature entry point to the brand's innovative sizing
High Hip Crossover Bottoms
Medium-coverage bottom with high-hip silhouette
$72
Butt-size-based fit system that is genuinely unique in the market
Ruched Square Neck One Piece
Flattering ruched one-piece, XS–6X
$138
Full size range in a universally flattering silhouette
Shelf Bra One Piece (Black)
Built-in support one-piece in versatile black
$138
Practical design with built-in shelf bra; a staple for all body types
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