Carve Designs Review: Your New Favorite Sustainable Swimwear and Apparel Brand

Hey there, beach babes! If you‘re like me and always on the hunt for cute, comfy clothing that can keep up with your active coastal lifestyle, I‘ve got an amazing brand for you. I‘m talking about Carve Designs – the sustainable swimwear and apparel line that‘s become my go-to for everything from surf sessions to beach lounging to grabbing drinks on the boardwalk.

Founded by friends and fellow wave riders Jennifer Hinton and Thayer Sylvester back in 2003, Carve Designs set out on a mission to create swimwear and casualwear that‘s both stylish and functional. Nearly 20 years later, they‘ve perfected that signature blend of laid-back, surf-inspired fashion and performance-ready design.

I first discovered Carve Designs a few years ago when I was looking for a new bikini that wouldn‘t ride up or slip off while I was catching waves. I ordered their top-selling Dahlia bikini top and matching bottom, and it quickly became my new favorite suit. The fabric is stretchy and soft yet totally secure, and the cut is so flattering. I get compliments every time I wear it!

Since then, I‘ve stocked my wardrobe with all sorts of Carve Designs goodies – flowy sundresses, cozy pullovers, stretchy shorts, and of course, more bikinis. I‘m obsessed with their effortless, throwback surfer girl aesthetic. Everything is just so easy to wear but still totally cute.

Another reason I love supporting Carve Designs is their genuine commitment to sustainability. They use eco-friendly materials like recycled polyester, organic cotton, and hemp in 85% of their pieces. Plus, their swimwear is made from 100% recycled fabric! And all their packaging is plastic-free and biodegradable.

Clearly I‘m not the only fan girl – Carve Designs has earned thousands of rave reviews from shoppers who love the superb fit, comfort, and quality of their clothing. They‘ve also been featured in major magazines like Vogue and InStyle. And with over 80K followers on Instagram, they‘ve built an awesome community of adventurous women who live in their Carve gear.

Carve Designs at a glance:

Key Facts	Statistics
Founded	2003
Founders	Jennifer Hinton & Thayer Sylvester
Based In	California
Products	Swimwear, dresses, shorts, tops, accessories
Sustainability	85% of products made with eco-friendly materials
Swimwear	100% recycled materials
Packaging	Biodegradable & plastic-free
Size Range	XS-XL
Pricing	$$
Shipping	Free on US orders $99+
Returns	Free in US for 30 days
Ratings	4.2-5 out of 5 stars

So let‘s dig into my Carve Designs favorites! I‘ll highlight some of their best-selling pieces, share what I love about them, and what other customers are raving about too.

Carve Designs Swimwear

Carve Designs is the queen of cute bikinis, one-pieces, and swim separates that look amazing and stay put. Their signature seamless fabric is unbelievably smooth and stretchy. I especially love their reversible tops that you can mix and match with different bottoms. So versatile!

Their Dahlia Bikini Top is a best-seller for good reason. This sports bra-style top has a criss-cross back and full front lining that keeps you totally locked in. It comes in the cutest colors and prints too. I have it in the "Chasing Waves Teal" pattern and always get so many compliments!

Here‘s what one buyer had to say:

"This top is the perfect balance of style and support. I‘m not normally one to just lounge by the pool, so when I‘m in a swimsuit I‘m doing some kind of water sport. This top is like a super cute, comfortable sports bra and fits like a dream."

Carve Designs‘ one-pieces also get tons of love for their super flattering cuts and fun patterns. Check out the Sanitas One-Piece, which has a plunging neckline, criss-cross strappy back, and cheeky rear coverage. I adore the "Painted Bloom Guava" color!

Carve Designs Dresses & Coverups

When you need to throw something on over your suit for the walk to the beach or happy hour al fresco, Carve Designs has the perfect breezy sundresses and coverups. I practically live in their La Jolla Coverup Dress all summer long. It‘s lightweight, flowy, and dries in a flash if you get it wet. Such a staple!

I‘m also a huge fan of the Aida Dress, which gives me total "I stole my surfer boyfriend‘s super soft flannel" vibes, but in the cutest mini dress form. It comes in classic plaid prints that add a touch of tomboy chic to any look.

The Hilo Dress is another customer favorite for its easy knit fabric and pockets (we love a good pocket!). "This dress is so soft and comfortable! Perfect for summer," one reviewer wrote. "I love that it‘s not too short and has pockets."

Carve Designs Shorts

For those in-between beach and street moments, Carve Designs‘ shorts are clutch. The Maui Short is my go-to – the stretch denim is so comfy, and the slightly distressed, frayed hem gives you that perfect broken-in look.

I also can‘t get enough of the Oahu Short, which comes in the most fun colors like "Rusty Rose" and "Sea Foam." The stretch corduroy fabric is soft, lightweight, and has a bit of structure for a put-together vibe. Dress them up with a cute top for dinner or keep it casual with your bikini and flip flops.

Additional Carve Designs Best-Sellers

Want more? Here are a few other top-rated Carve Designs pieces to add to your wishlist:

• The Cardiff Crew Neck Sweatshirt is made from the softest organic cotton and comes in cozy, oversized fit. Perfect for bonfires on chilly beach nights!

• Carve Designs‘ Shore Shirt is a lightweight button-down that‘s ideal for throwing on as a beach coverup or wearing with denim shorts.

• The Sayulita Tank is a breezy, slightly cropped tank top that looks adorable with high-waisted shorts or a maxi skirt. The straight neckline and racerback straps show off your sun-kissed shoulders.

Why Carve Designs is worth the hype

Aside from their laidback SoCal aesthetic and amazing quality, what I appreciate about Carve Designs is that they make clothing that‘s truly designed for active women‘s bodies.

Everything has just the right amount of stretch, breathability, and staying power to keep you comfortable while you‘re riding waves, playing beach volleyball, or chasing your kids down the shore. But it‘s also effortlessly stylish and flattering, so you look put-together the moment you step off the sand.

Here‘s how one shopper summed it up in her review:

"Carve Designs is my favorite clothing company! I completely revamped my beach style with their quick-dry swimwear, shorts, and dresses. It‘s the best money I‘ve ever spent – everything fits so well and looks great on. I can go straight from the beach to lunch with friends without missing a beat!"

And can we talk about Carve Designs‘ amazing community of adventurous women? Just scroll through the #CarveDesigns hashtag on Instagram for some serious outfit (and travel) inspiration. I love seeing how real women are rocking their Carve gear on beaches around the world.

Plus, Carve has an awesome Brand Ambassador program for ultra-passionate customers who want to rep the brand. Ambassadors get perks like gift cards, exclusive discounts, and early access to new products. Goals!

The final verdict on Carve Designs

After years of wearing Carve Designs and following the brand, I can confidently say they are 100% worth the buy. Cute, comfy, eco-conscious, great prices, tons of glowing reviews, free shipping and returns…I really can‘t think of any downsides!

Whether you‘re a hardcore surfer, a beach volleyball buff, a weekend swimsuit warrior, or just want to add some laidback coastal vibes to your closet, you will LOVE Carve Designs. All my Carve pieces are in constant rotation all summer (and even on winter getaways) because they‘re just so easy to wear and universally flattering.

Oh, and did I mention how amazing Carve‘s customer service is? Their team is super responsive and happy to help with everything from fit questions to order changes. They also have a great loyalty program where you can earn points to redeem for discounts.

One last tip – be sure to sign up for Carve‘s email list to get notified about sales and new product drops! I‘ve scored some major deals on bestselling pieces, especially during end-of-season clearances. Following them on social media is also a great way to stay in the loop and get styling inspo.

Thanks for reading my Carve Designs review! I hope you found it helpful, and that you love the brand as much as I do. If you have any questions about sizing, styling, or my favorite pieces, don‘t hesitate to drop a comment below. Let‘s chat all things Carve Designs, beach fashion, and coastal living!

Xx,
Your Resident Beach Babe

Frequently Asked Questions about Carve Designs

• Where are Carve Designs products made? Carve Designs products are designed at the brand‘s headquarters in California, and ethically manufactured in family-owned factories in Mexico, China, and the USA. All factory partners are regularly audited for safety and fair labor practices.

• What is Carve Designs‘ size range? Carve Designs offers sizes XS-XL in most styles, which corresponds to women‘s numerical sizes 0-16. They provide detailed fit guides and garment measurements on the product pages to help shoppers find their perfect size.

• Does Carve Designs have physical retail stores? No, Carve Designs is primarily an online retailer, though you can find their products in some surf shops and boutiques. Their full collection is available on their website at carvedesigns.com.

• What is Carve Designs‘ return policy? Carve Designs accepts free returns within 30 days of purchase for US orders – just use the pre-paid return label included with your package. For international returns, a $10 fee is deducted. Returned items must be unworn with original tags attached.

• Can you use Afterpay or similar payment plans at Carve Designs? Yes! Carve Designs offers interest-free installment payments through Afterpay and Klarna at checkout. It‘s super convenient for splitting up the cost of larger purchases over time.