Lands' End · Water-Resistant Swimwear
Lands' End Women's DD-Cup Tummy Control Square Neck Underwire Tankini Swimsuit Top
High PFAS risk from likely water-repellent coating finish. Lands' End silent on chemical details.
This tankini top almost certainly has a water-repellent coating finish to protect swimwear performance, a standard PFAS source in apparel. Lands' End won't disclose PFAS content or claim PFAS-free protection.
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Material
nylon/spandex blend with tummy-control panel; likely water-resistant treatment
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
What’s concerning
Waterproof / stain-resistant treatment
Water-repellent treatments have historically contained PFAS chemicals.
Category baseline
PFAS exposure happens more often with clothing products.
No PFAS disclosure
The company has not publicly discussed PFAS in this product.
PFAS
Water-resistant swimwear overwhelmingly relies on PFAS-based water-repellent coating coatings unless explicitly marketed otherwise. Lands' End provides no chemistry disclosure, making PFAS presence a reasonable inference for this product type. Graded separately at 20/100 per your input.
Source: ATSDR ↗Azo dyes
Nylon and spandex fabrics can be dyed with azo dyes, some of which are restricted in the EU but not uniformly banned in the US. Lands' End does not publicly disclose dye chemistry for swimwear. Darker colors (navy, black) carry higher azo risk; this product color is not specified here.
Spandex degradation and skin contact
Chlorine and UV exposure degrade spandex over time, releasing microfibers and potentially leaving residual dyes or finish compounds on skin. This is a gradual wear process rather than acute risk, but cumulative exposure over seasons of use warrants awareness.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Wrinkle resistance and shape retention in swimwear sometimes use formaldehyde-based resins, though this is less common in water-repellent focused products. Lands' End does not disclose finish details, so presence cannot be ruled out.
Source: ATSDR ↗What’s reassuring
Antimony in polyester (if present)
This product is primarily nylon/spandex; antimony is used in polyester production as a catalyst. No established concern for nylon-dominant blends, and Lands' End swimwear is not known to contain polyester as a primary fiber.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
This tankini top is a nylon/spandex blend, a standard construction for fitted swimwear that provides stretch and durability in chlorinated and salt water. The tummy-control panel likely uses a thicker nylon knit or a laminate to create compression. Water-resistant treatment (most likely a per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance [PFAS] based water-repellent coating finish, though Lands' End does not disclose the specific chemistry) is applied to help the fabric shed water and dry faster; this is the primary chemical concern for this product category.
The brand's record and disclosure
Lands' End does not publicly disclose the specific water-repellent chemistry used in its swimwear or provide PFAS-free certification on this product. The brand has no widely documented history of PFAS transparency or phase-out commitments in the same way some outdoor-apparel brands do. No recalls or regulatory actions specific to Lands' End swimwear have been established in public records. This silence on treatment chemicals is typical for mid-market heritage brands but represents a gap in consumer transparency.
How it compares in its category
Nylon/spandex swimwear with water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) treatment is industry standard and carries equivalent PFAS risk across most conventional brands. Some premium brands and eco-focused makers now offer PFAS-free alternatives, often using wax-based or silicone water-repellent finishes; however, these command higher prices and are not yet mainstream at Lands' End price points. Lands' End's silence on this issue puts it in the middle of the transparency spectrum: better than brands with no disclosure, worse than those with explicit PFAS-free or third-party certified options.
If you buy it
Rinse the top in fresh water after each use in chlorine or salt water to minimize chemical buildup and reduce skin irritation. Wash in cold water with mild detergent; avoid fabric softeners and high heat drying, which can degrade the elastic and accelerate coating breakdown. Replace the top if the spandex loses elasticity (typically 2-3 years with regular use) or if the water-repellent finish visibly degrades, indicated by uneven water beading. Do not dry clean, as solvents can interact with PFAS residues.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 42% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Lands' End has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
Safer alternatives in Water-Resistant Swimwear
J.Crew
Women's Gail One-piece
Polyamide/nylon blend (swimwear)
Lower PFAS concern for basic nylon.
⚠Risky category by default
J.Crew
Lana Classic Sculpt One-piece
Nylon/spandex blend (swimsuit)
Lower concern. Standard swimwear with no known PFAS treatment triggers.
⚠Risky category by default
J.Crew
Women's Squareneck One-piece
Nylon/spandex blend swimwear
Lower concern. Untreated swimwear fabric, but J.Crew makes no PFAS promises.
⚠Risky category by default
More water-resistant swimwear grades
How we score: every product runs through the same public 0–100 rubric based on materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls. See the full methodology → Spotted a mistake? Report an error.