Are you passionate about ethical fashion and hoping to find a few sustainable dresses to add to your closet?
We’ve got you covered! The 15 dresses listed below all come from sustainable fashion brands who value eco-friendly materials and fair wages, ensuring you’ll look good, feel good, and be making a positive impact all summer long.
What does “ethically made” mean?
In addition to using sustainable fabrics and materials, ethically made clothing prioritizes social responsibility along each step of the supply chain. In the fast fashion world, it’s common for workers to be overworked and underpaid, often earning less than minimum wage while working overtime in poor conditions.
If a garment is ethically made, you can be sure those who created it received living wages and worked in a safe environment. This is more than can be said of big name fast fashion brands!
Paying workers a living wage means the prices of ethically-made garments may be higher than unethical fast fashion prices. If you’re not yet used to shopping sustainably, these prices may feel a little steeper than you’re used to, though it’s important to keep in mind what your money is supporting: fair wages and safe working conditions.
Of course, affordable sustainable fashion absolutely exists, and we’ve listed just a few of those options below!
What materials should I look for when shopping for eco-friendly sundresses?
Certified organic cotton, linen, tencel, and deadstock fabrics are all excellent options when looking for the perfect dress for summer. Because linen and organic cotton are generally considered cool and breathable, they’re especially popular natural materials for summertime. For your convenience, we’ve given them their own categories below.
15 Eco-Friendly Dresses to Wear for Your Most Sustainable Summer Yet
The following dresses are all from brands who prioritize ethical and sustainable fashion. They use eco-friendly fabrics like linen and organic cotton to make clothing you’ll feel good about purchasing … and even better wearing.
Dresses Made with Organic Cotton
KNOWN SUPPLY – Aja Dress ($65)
KNOWN SUPPLY prioritizes quality, celebrating their makers, and sharing their mission with individuals and brands alike. Each of their products features the signature of the person who made it, demonstrating the transparency of their production process.
Their Aja Dress is soft, stretchy, and form fitting, featuring buttons that run all the way down the front.
Marimekko – Fiaali Herbaario Cotton Poplin Dress ($385)
Designed in Finland, Marimekko offers bold colors and prints like this dress! The brand uses more sustainable materials, like organic cotton in this case.
If bold colors and prints are your style, check out their other dresses too.
Pact – The Portside Button-Front Dress ($84)
Pact partners with Fair Trade USA, Global Organic Textile Standard, and SimpliZero to make products with people and the planet in mind. They measure the impact of each of their products, then offset them through reforestation, renewable energy, and community projects.
Their Portside Button-Front Dress is a timeless choice, and it’s easy to throw on and go.
Kotn – T-Shirt Dress ($88)
Committed to timeless designs honoring the people who make them, Kotn uses ecologically and socially progressive materials that will biodegrade at the end of their life cycle. Kotn’s T-Shirt Dress is made from 100% Egyptian cotton with certified OEKO-TEX non-toxic dyes and natural fibers.
Style it with your favorite sneakers for a casual but elevated look with minimal effort.
Toad & Co Cue Wrap Short Sleeve Dress ($90)
Toad & Co is committed to supporting their local communities and partnering with local non-profits to give back in any way possible.
Coming in classic black as well as a variety of fun patterns, their wrap dress flatters all body types and is the perfect summer dress for any gathering.
Organic Basics – Core Bold Rib Ruched Side Dress ($38)
Organic Basics offers underwear, basics, and staples like this dress in organic cotton.
For our budget conscious readers this is the most affordable of our summer dress picks and the most body con of the options.
Frank and Oak – The Gingham Flowy Dress ($139)
Based in Canada, Frank and Oak creates products from low-impact, cruelty-free, organic, biodegradable, and recycled fibers, taking responsibility for the impact of each of their garments.
Their Gingham Flowy Dress transitions effortlessly from spring to summer, creating a soft yet elegant look at any time of day.
The Best Sustainable Linen Dresses
Outerknown – Offshore Tank Dress ($128)
With a commitment to protecting the environment and supporting fair labor, Outerknown gives back to non-profits, keeps a close eye on their supply chain, and uses materials vital to responsible products.
The loose fit and side slits of their Offshore Tank Dress make it comfortable and easy to move in, creating a look you can dress up or down with ease.
Whimsy + Row – Loni Dress ($132)
Committed to sustainable practice, Whimsy + Row’s mission is to provide ease and elegance for the modern woman. They use locally-sourced, upcycled, and low-impact materials for all of their clothing.
Their Loni Dress is midi-length and features a side slit, making it easy to convert from afternoon to evening.
MATE the Label – Linen Slip Dress ($148)
MATE is located in Los Angeles and focuses on creating essential, quality goods that will last a lifetime. Their slip dress manages to be both flowy and form-fitting at the same time, and it’s a classic, easy style to dress up or down as needed.
This dress will be part of your weekly rotation before you know it.
Ethical Dresses Made from Other Sustainable Materials
Tentree – Cypress Dress ($78)
Tentree plants ten trees for every item purchased, with over 75 million trees planted and communities helped to date, and they only use organic and recycled materials to cut back on waste water and emissions.
Their Cypress Dress is made from plant-based lyocell fabric, making it a light option with a touch of flair, thanks to the halter neckline.
Girlfriend Collective – Paloma Racerback Dress ($88)
Girlfriend Collective creates garments that support health and wellness while prioritizing what’s best for the planet.
Made from 79% recycled plastic bottles and 21% spandex, their Paloma Racerback Dress is perfect for tennis, workouts, hikes, or anything else you like to do to stay active!
TAMGA Designs – Carnelia Maxi Dress ($143)
TAMGA was founded in 2014, and today, they focus on creating high quality clothing from the best sustainable materials.
Their Carnelia Maxi Dress is created with 100% LENZING ECOVERO, an eco-responsible viscose obtained from certified, renewable wood sources. It has puff sleeves, shell buttons, and works perfectly for any special occasion.
NAADAM – Fancy Cashmere Tank Dress ($185)
NAADAM works directly with herders in Mongolia’s Gobi Desert to create soft, sustainable, and high-quality knitwear. While this tank dress may be the most expensive item on our list, it’s for a good reason: It’s made from 100% Mongolian cashmere, creating a luxurious, super-fine knit.
This lightweight dress is chic and comfortable, perfect for summer months.
KINdom – Evelyn Ruffle Cami Tunic Dress ($104)
KINdom aims to build an environment where we take care of nature, living things, and each other. All of their branding is compostable, from their labels to their hang tags.
Reclaimed 100% polyester was used to create their Evelyn Ruffle Cami Tunic Dress, which has adjustable straps and a feminine floral pattern.
Want more sustainable brands?
Check out Eco-Stylist’s Brand Guide, containing over 100 sustainable and ethical brands working to make a difference in our world.
More Sustainable Summer Dresses
For even more great dresses, check out our curated shop.
Here’s to your most sustainable (and fashionable) summer yet!
*Article last updated 10/4/23.
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Celia Wiseman studied Communication and Creative Writing at the University of Iowa, and her growing interest in sustainable living led her to Eco-Stylist. In her free time she enjoys reading, writing, and making videos, as well as any other activity that allows her to get creative.
