Under normal circumstances, we may consider summer to be over as students all over the world head back to school. But this year is different, and listening to recorded lectures online means you can do school wherever— even outside by the pool. With that in mind, buying a new swimsuit in September is totally justifiable, and SHEESH! has found an amazing independent brand to support: Under The Sun Bikinis.
This trendy little bikini brand was founded by Caitlyn Macdonald, a 15-year-old from Los Angeles. She and her friends hang out at the beach so often that she was inspired to create her own swimwear line, despite not having any conventional design experience. Caitlyn recalls, “I remember thinking how perfect it would be if I made bikinis for all of us.” She emphasizes that these suits are not simply for looking cute while tanning, but that they also work well while being active at the beach. “I make sure all of my bikinis are actually wearable so you can do things like swimming and surfing without your bikini falling apart in the ocean. My friends tell me all the time how comfortable the bikinis are, especially for surfing, and it’s their go-to.”
Model @caitlynmacdonald 
Model: @ellagoodd
Caitlyn’s long-standing passion for preserving the ocean environment has resulted in three of Under The Sun’s bikini styles being made from recycled nylon. The Econyl material she uses is made from nylon waste found in the ocean, and the regenerated material is also recyclable. Caitlyn explains that the fabric is only available in large bulk quantities, so it can be difficult to source for her small-scale brand, hence only three suits are currently made out of the material. As Under The Sun’s popularity grows, Caitlyn does aim to produce all her bikinis with this recycled material. As of now, the Ella and Grace set are both made of Econyl, and just last week Caitlyn added another eco-friendly bikini in a hot pink color.
Model: @lexiejayy 
Model: @deaavdulla
A lot of exciting things have already happened for Caitlyn and her brand, even though Under The Sun only debuted about three months ago. She has enjoyed seeing her suits on influencers like Lexie Jay and Dea Avdulla while scrolling through Pinterest, and getting messages from happy customers around the globe. Most of all, Caitlyn is proud to see her bikinis in physical stores, like Obsessed Jewelry in Malibu. Additionally, she confessed that she can’t wait until her bikinis are carried at Square One Refills, a sustainability-focused shop in Santa Monica.
Caitlyn can’t pick a favorite suit, but definitely loves the orange tie dye pattern best, as seen on the Morgan set. At SHEESH! we absolutely adore the Luke set. To pick out your own favorite bikini, check out Under The Sun’s website, and follow their Instagram to stay up-to-date on new releases.
Love small brands? You can find more in Small Brands For All Your Summer Needs.
