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Abalone Restoration Sun Suit

Educational resources & donation included with every purchase. Learn more.

Known for the psychedelic patterns found on their inner shells, abalone (sea snails) feature unique colors that are created by nacre, hexagonal platelets of aragonite also known commonly as “mother of pearl” and found on a variety of mollusks. Our print features the piercing blues of New Zealand’s Pāua, the Māori name given to three species Haliotis iris, Haliotis australis and Haliotis virginea.

    1. UPF 50+ sun protection (max rating achievable)
    2. Fibers mechanically engineered for quick-dry, moisture-wicking and breathability
    3. Resilient 4-way stretch and recovery for shape retention in and out of the water
    4. 100% chlorine, sun, salt water, and sunscreen resistant
    5. High neck collar, thumbholes at wrists, and medium back booty coverage
    6. Back zipper for easy entry, with a long paracord pull for easy zip up
    7. Raglan cut sleeves for great range of shoulder movement
    8. No shelf bra or padding. For more support, we suggest wearing a bikini top underneath
    9. Tag-less for comfort
  • Main fabric: 88% Repreve® RPET (recycled polyester made from post-consumer plastic bottles), 12% spandex

    Zipper: polyacetal resin (tough, high strength thermoplastic)

    Zipper pull: high tensile strength nylon paracord

UPF 50+ Sun Protection (Max Rating Achievable)

100% Fade-Proof From Chlorine, Sun & Saltwater

Anti-Microbial = Smell-Resistant

Fibers Mechanically Engineered For Quick-Dry & Moisture-Wicking

Made From Recycled Materials

Waterlust in the wild

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Advocate Apparel Inspired by Abalone

Abalone is the common name for a variety of marine snails that are found throughout the world’s oceans. Sought after for their meat and their beautiful shells, populations have declined rapidly and some species are now critically endangered.

Our relationship with abalone illustrates the challenges of overexploitation of the marine environment. Until the 1980s, it was widely thought that abalone populations were resilient and could effectively rebound from harvesting activities. Unfortunately, that has not proven to be true.

Abalone are “broadcast spawners,” meaning that two individuals must be within three feet of one another to sexually reproduce. This type of reproduction makes population recovery very challenging, driving the need for humans to intervene.

10% of profits from your purchase of this product are donated to Get Inspired

“Our partnership with Waterlust helps us spread our message of conservation across the globe far beyond our reach.  It is a great example of how one small organization with one employee can only do so much but by working together we can do more, reach more, spreading knowledge, happiness, beauty, and hopefully compassion for our ocean animals.”

Nancy Caruso

Get Inspired

Customer Reviews

Based on 96 reviews
83%
(80)
8%
(8)
5%
(5)
1%
(1)
2%
(2)
M
Marisa Fernandez (Los Angeles, CA, US)
Beautiful but funny

It was a gorgeous suit but I had to return it due to how it fit right at the top of the thigh. The material was thick, great coverage, felt great on the skin. The pattern is lovely, flattering I think. If not for the weird squish (for me) at the bottom of the suit, I would have enjoyed this immensely I think.

K
Kathryn Carey (New York, NY, US)
S too small for 5’5” 138lb, neck seam very tight

Got the S based on the sizes of models listed but couldn’t ignore the choking feeling of the suit at the top of my collarbones/neck when it was zipped shut around my shoulders. I’m generally a size S but my butt is a Medium so that was also quite tight and a lot of flesh was overflowing (which I really didn’t mind considering every other inch of my skin is covered in this suit - you gotta flaunt what your mama gave ya) but after exchanging for the M it’s a perfect fit. The fabric is pretty thick-not quite like neoprene but pretty stiff, so I hope it doesn’t make me feel super sweaty when I’m not underwater. Overall I’m stoked about the beautiful print and sun protection for my shoulders, chest, and back.

L
Lyndall (Chico, CA, US)
The BEST!

I just love my abalone scuba set ( also good for outrigger canoe paddling). The fit is perfect and the material fits smoothly and comfortably and keeps me in a good temperature zone in and out of the water. . Pattern is beautiful and I love supporting this company and the work you do!

M
Michelle Sanders (Miami, FL, US)
Fits perfectly

As a swimmer and diver I was looking for something more snug to reduce drag. I wanted the fit of a competition suit with the long sleeve for sun protection for long distance open water swimming. This one fit perfectly! I sized down from what was recommended on your site for the right fit. The fabric is thicker than a speedo or arena suit but it works.

K
Kathryn Cure
Love it!

I ordered a large based on the size chart (I am 5'9", 180 lbs), and it fits perfectly. The material is very high quality, and I love the zipper pull and thumb holes. The pattern and colors are also gorgeous.

K
Kristine Broughton (Austin, TX, US)
Love it

I am really pleased with this product. I purchased this item to go snorkeling and diving in Belize. The sizing chart is very accurate. I purchased a size XL and normally wear size 14/16 in clothes. I have a long torso and broad shoulders from swimming, so I was concerned it wouldn’t fit, but it did! Yay. The material is a perfect weight - heavy enough but not flimsy. I don’t think I’ll need to wear a swim bra underneath, but there is enough room if I change my mind and want to wear one when on vacation. The pattern is very cute. Bold enough to be fun and interesting but not too bold to make me look like a 55-year-old who is trying to look like a 25-year-old. I love the high neck for sun protection. The only negative is that it’s kind of tricky to put on with the zipper in the back, but getting it off is easy. My husband will be given the task of zipping me up. The quality of the product is excellent.

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