What’s not to love about a go-to dress in your wardrobe? The right one can be dressed up or down, it can be worn alone, or worn as a skirt with the right top layered on. A dress is arguably the easiest outfit to put together that still looks put together. The right sustainable dress is the kind of closet staple you can reach for on any kind of summer day, even when you have no idea what to wear.
From t-shirt dresses and house dresses to chic midi frocks and fun mini’s for a night out, this roundup of sustainable dresses has just about everything.
So if you’re looking for that perfect piece to complement your wardrobe this year, I’ve got you covered with this guide to sustainably and ethically-made dresses. This guide has brands with both casual and more formal dresses, but if you’re shopping for exclusively special occasion dresses, I’d recommend also browsing my guide to formal dresses.
What Qualifies As (More) Sustainable Dresses?
Wearing what we have in our closets is the most sustainable approach! But if you’re here, you probably already evaluated that option and you’re looking to add something fresh to your closet.
Secondhand Dresses are Sustainable Dresses
The second most sustainable option is to look secondhand. ThredUp can be a versatile option for pieces at any price point and The RealReal is my favorite choice for more premium brands.
Online secondhand marketplaces like Poshmark or Depop are also good options — but something to watch out when it comes to peer-to-peer marketplaces is that they can sometimes contain new fast fashion disguised as “vintage” pieces, so it can require some additional digging. Personally, The RealReal is usually my first stop for dresses.
For more suggestions, find my full guide to secondhand clothing retailers in this post.
If you’re looking for a new sustainably-made dress, here are some considerations:
- Materials: what is it made from? Is it made with a natural fabric like hemp, linen, or organic cotton? Perhaps made from deadstock or upcycled materials?
- Production Practices: does the brand take efforts to not overproduce? Do they produce in small batches? (No matter how “eco-conscious” the material is, if a brand is throwing away 30% of their stock, that’s not sustainable!)
- Timelessness and Quality: this doesn’t have to mean boring and doesn’t necessarily mean the brand never participates in a trend. But does the brand constantly hop on every single trend and push you to buy more and more? Or do they encourage slow mindful consumption with well-designed dresses? Do they pay attention to construction and details that ensure you’ll be wearing this dress year after year?
- Manufacturing: most brands do not produce their own clothing, but are they sourcing from facilities that pay their workers fairly? Do those facilities minimize waste, use renewable energy, and responsibly manage chemical usage?
- Ethical Production: who made the dress? were they paid fairly and were they working in safe conditions? do they have worker’s rights, such as the right to organize? how does the brand ensure this? Certifications can be helpful here. But sometimes factories cannot afford these, so look for other assurances, such as that the founder personally visits the factories.
- Ownership: is it a small woman-owned business or major fashion brand owned by billionaires? What are your values when it comes to where your money is going?
What certifications should I look for when buying a sustainable dress?
The most meaningful certifications for dresses are:
- GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) for organic fibers and other sustainability assurances during production
- OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 for chemical safety in finished garments (note that this is a product certification, not a material certification — and many brands miscommunicate this label)
- Made in Fair Trade Certified™ factories which ensure that the brand is paying into a premium that goes to a Community Development Fund that workers can vote on to determine how to use those funds
However, many small brands cannot afford to buy certified products, fabrics, or pay into fair trade programs. There are other ways to ensure ethical sourcing as well, so look into a brand’s sustainability or sourcing pages too.
I know that’s a lot! But these are elements to start looking for as you browse through brands. This isn’t about perfection — it’s just about learning and doing the best we can.
My Top Picks for Ethical and Sustainable Dresses
To help you out (because I get it — it’s complicated!) I’ve curated retailers and brands with sustainable and ethical dresses. These brands aren’t necessarily perfect, but they’re doing things better for people and the planet. I’ve included “Conscious Qualities” by each brand or retailer, so you can get an idea about why the brand is on the list and which sustainability criteria they meet.
I’ve also curated brands at a range of price points, to accommodate for different budgets.
This Guide’s Price Range Key:
- $ = Dresses under $100
- $$ = Dresses $100 – $200
- $$$ = Dresses $200+
Keep in mind that while price and quality aren’t necessarily directly tied to each other, lower prices may sometimes mean a sacrifice on quality and the highest quality picks are often on the higher end of the price spectrum. Better quality fabrics cost more, more skilled seamstresses are typically paid more, and many of the details that take a piece from good to great — such as pockets, well-fastened buttons, and linings — add to the product cost as well.
This article features affiliate links, which means we earn a small commission at no additional cost to you (which helps us fund this website) if you choose to purchase through one of these links. As always, we only feature brands that meet high standards for sustainability that we love and that we think you’ll love too!
1. Christy Dawn
Best for romantic dresses
Crafting “dresses you want to live in”, Christy Dawn’s pieces are a fairytale come true with their romantic silhouettes and dreamy prints. The sustainably-minded brand sources organic cotton as well as regenerative organic cotton grown in India by their partners Oshadi Collective. This “Farm-to-Closet” collection is also vegetable-dyed and block-printed in India using traditional time-honored practices.
I actually interviewed the founder of Oshadi Collective for my podcast to get a deeper look, and it was one of the most thought-provoking interviews I’ve done.
Keep in mind, that exceptional sustainability standards across the board has a real price, so these dresses come in at a more premium price tag.
Conscious Qualities: Organic & Regenerative Fabrics, Local & Ethical Production
Size Range: XS-3XL
Price Range: $$$
2. Mata Traders
Best for printed dresses in flattering fits
Mata Traders holds a special place in my heart not only because it’s a local-to-me brand in Chicago but it’s also the brand I had my first internship at over a decade ago.
The brand uses natural materials like cotton and linen, and all of their pieces are made with fair trade practices in India. Mata even includes the details behind the makers of each piece, so you can get to know the workshop or cooperative responsible for making your sustainable dress. Oh, and all their dresses have hidden pockets!
Conscious Qualities: Verified Fair Trade, Natural Materials, Woman-Owned
Size Range: XS-3XL (some pieces)
Price Range: $$-$$$
3. Tradlands
Best for dresses in extended sizing
Created out of co-founder Sadie’s desire for classic, high-quality pieces, Tradlands is designed with longevity and versatility top of mind. And their effortless dresses are just as simple to care for — Tradlands uses natural but washable fibers like cotton and linen.
The 100% cotton tiered dress I have from Tradlands (this one’s similar) is one of my summer go-to’s — breathable, flattering, and easy to dress up or down. I can wear it as a house dress working from home, or paired with gold jewelry to dinner. Some of the styles are more modest with higher necklines and longer hemlines, so I personally like to pull my hair back and pair with a strappy sandal to keep it from overwhelming my frame.
Conscious Qualities: Natural Fibers, Small Batch Production, Extended Sizing
Size Range: XS-4XL
Price Range: $$
4. Linen Handmade Studio
Best for 100% linen dresses
Most linen dresses lean relaxed and lightweight, but if you want something with more structure and substance, Linen Handmade Studio is where I’d point you. The linen drapes with more body and you can really sense the quality in person.
Every piece is made to order in the brand’s own studio in Lithuania, using 100% OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified linen. I own the Nydia linen wrap dress in warm olive and the tailoring is beautiful, I’ve gotten so many compliments on it!
Conscious Qualities: OEKO-TEX Standard 100 Certified, Made-to-Order, Crafted in Lithuania
Size Range: US 2-18 (runs slightly small compared to other brands I own; I’d size up but double check the size chart)
Price Range: $$-$$$
5. Rare & Fair
Best for elegant evening dresses
Made thoughtfully with time-honored practices by master artisans and craftspeople in small batches, Rare & Fair has exceptional sustainable dresses. Each piece is made in a fully transparent, traceable process from fiber to final stitch.
Plus, every dress is made-to-order — one of my favorite alternative business models for genuinely reshaping how fashion works. It slows down consumption, eliminates the guesswork of forecasting, and dramatically reduces the risk of overproduction. It’s the kind of structural thinking that separates brands doing the real work from those just checking sustainability boxes.
Conscious Qualities: Sustainable Fabrics & Processes, Artisan Made, Cultural Preservation, Made-to-Order
Size Range: XXS-XL
Price Range: $$$
6. tentree
Best for casual weekend dresses
This brand does have simpler dresses — maybe the closest to “basic” on the list. But when warm weather approaches, and all you want is an easy-to-throw-on-dress, tentree’s pieces just might fit the bill.
Button-down, wrap, cami, or even hooded, these pieces can give an ease to everyday dressing. The dresses are made from breathable materials like modal, hemp, TENCEL™ Lyocell, linen, and organic cotton and the company plants 10 trees with each purchase. You can also trade-in your preloved tentree pieces or shop their ReShop for secondhand dresses.
Conscious Qualities: Lower Impact Materials, Supply Chain Transparency, Plants Trees, Circularity Programs
Size Range: XS–XL
Price Range: $-$$
7. OMNES
Best for wedding guest dresses
Finding an ethical dress for a wedding, graduation, or black tie event is not easy. Most sustainable brands lean casual! But OMNES is a rare exception. Their occasion wear holds its own against conventional designer options, with elevated silhouettes and polished prints that look nothing like they came with an eco-conscience attached.
OMNES’ dresses are made by audited supply chain partners with responsibly sourced materials including organic cotton, linen, LENZING™ ECOVERO™ viscose, and certified recycled polyester. The recycled polyester is sourced from plastic bottles, which is controversial. But considering 88% of polyester is virgin (fossil fuel-based), we’ll take it as a step in the right direction. The brand is also an accredited Living Wage Employer, meaning their direct UK staff all receive the real living wage.
Conscious Qualities: Audited Supply Chain, Lower Impact Materials, Living Wages (employees)
Size Range: 4–18 (UK sizing; roughly US 4–18)
Price Range: $$$
8. OhSevenDays
Best for elevated, independent designer dresses
OhSevenDays’ dresses feature feminine silhouettes, muted colors, and unique details to impress. One of my favorites on the list from a design POV.
Made from deadstock fabrics, factory overstock, and offcuts that would’ve otherwise ended up in a landfill. The slow fashion brand also offers a transparent behind the scenes look at their production process, all done in-house by a team of four tailors, and the deadstock fabrics they use for each collection. Just keep in mind that some fabrics are natural and some are repurposed synthetic in case you do have a preference for natural fibers.
Conscious Qualities: Reclaimed Fabrics, Transparent Production
Size Range: S-L + custom sizing
Price Range: $$
Shipping: Ships Globally
9. No Nasties
Best for vacation dresses with vibrant hues
No Nasties creates 100% organic cotton fair trade dresses perfect for wearing to the beach with flip flops or pairing with heeled sandals for date night. Their versatile sustainable dresses are comfy, organic, and affordable with most pieces priced at under $100.
The brand offers international shipping, but if you’re local, you might want to try on their wares in person at one of the brand’s four stores in India.
Conscious Qualities: Organic Fabrics, Traceable Supply Chain, Fair Trade
Size Range: XS-L
Price Range: $
Shipping: Ships Internationally
10. MATE
Best for non-toxic dresses
There’s nothing more satisfying than finding summer dresses that make you look instantly put together without much effort – and MATE’s curation checks every box.
And no matter how unbearable the temps, you can work up a sweat feeling relieved knowing that all of their pieces are made from GOTS-certified natural fibers, and with non-toxic dyes that don’t rely on harmful chemicals like pesticides, BPA, PFAS, and formaldehyde.
I own several organic cotton and linen pieces from MATE and they continue to be among my go-to pieces I reach for again and again in my closet.
Conscious Qualities: GOTS Certified, Non-Toxic Dyes, Organic & Natural Materials, Supply Chain Transparency
Size Range: XS – XL
Price Range: $$
11. Míe
Best for dresses you won’t see anywhere else
Míe is an independent fashion brand prioritizing natural fibers like linen and distinguished design details like tiered puff sleeves and unique necklines. Based in Nigeria and only sold in select global retailers, you’re unlikely to see anyone else wearing something similar.
Each dress is designed and handcrafted responsibly at their atelier in Lagos, Nigeria.
Conscious Qualities: Natural Fibers, Locally Made in Lagos
Size Range: XS-3XL
Price Range: $$$
Shipping: Ships Worldwide
12. Reformation
Best for girls night out dresses
Reformation is one of the more transparent and accountable mainstream sustainable brands. In 2023, Reformation used 97% recycled, regenerative, or renewable materials and nearly 1 in 5 of their sales were resale, vintage, or rental. They also have a number of circularity programs. (Find more details in their sustainability report.)
That said, they’re still a growth-focused brand selling trend-driven clothing, which has inherent sustainability limits.
Conscious Qualities: Responsible Material Sourcing, Circularity Initiatives, Traceability
Size Range: 0 – 12 and 14 – 24 in select styles
Price Range: $$$
13. Toad&Co
Best for simple fuss-free dresses in vibrant prints
Crafted from fabrics like hemp, TENCEL™, and organic cotton, and designed with easygoing silhouettes, Toad&Co has the perfect natural fiber dresses for warm sunny days.
The airy dresses can be worn as naturally breathable house dresses or with their delicate details and subtle prints, easily worn out with a pair of strappy sandals or slingbacks. My top picks would be the brand’s midi dresses, but they also have wrap and tank dresses that hit mid-thigh if you prefer a shorter hemline.
The company also lists every factory they work with and sells preloved dresses through ToadAgain.
Conscious Qualities: Lower Impact Fabrics, Resale Program, Factory Transparency
Size Range: XS-XL
Price Range: $$
14. LANIUS
Best for effortless warm-weather dresses
Some fair trade brands make you choose between doing good and looking good. LANIUS, a family-run slow fashion house out of Cologne in Germany, doesn’t ask you to compromise. Founded in 1999, the brand has spent 25 years making feminine, considered designs in GOTS certified organic materials under ethical conditions, audited by the Fair Wear Foundation, which monitors labor conditions across the brand’s supply chain.
Their casual dresses are the kind you reach for on repeat. Think organic linen that feels weightless against the skin, relaxed silhouettes that work for a farmers market or the office, and details like a slightly flared hem that elevate without fuss. And in case you needed more reason to love this brand’s ethos: they only produce two collections per year, prioritizing intentionality over hype.
Conscious Qualities: GOTS Certified, Fair Wear Foundation Audited, Organic & Natural Materials, Care & Repair Program
Size Range: 34–44 (German sizing, roughly US 4–14)
Price Range: $$
Shipping: Ships Internationally
15. Beaumont Organic
Best for elevated everyday dresses
Beaumont Organic makes the kind of dresses that feel intentional without trying too hard. Rooted in natural materials and quiet craftsmanship, their pieces sit somewhere between elevated basics and timeless wardrobe investments — the sort of thing you reach for because it just feels right.
Their linen dresses are a standout. Take the Ottillie-May: a boxy, sleeveless silhouette that blooms into a shirred waistband and A-line skirt, with pockets. Made entirely in Portugal — from spinning and weaving to dyeing and finishing — the supply chain is fully traceable and listed right on the product page.
The brand offers free repair and resale schemes, visits suppliers regularly, and builds exclusively with living wage factories. Beaumont Organic is fashion with a long view.
Conscious Qualities: Fully Traceable Supply Chain, Living Wage Factories, Natural & Organic Materials, Made in Portugal, Repair & Resale Program
Size Range: XS-L
Price Range: $$$
Shipping: Ships Internationally
You Might Also Be Wondering…
Are sustainable dresses worth the higher price tag?
It depends! The key here is to look at cost-per-wear. A $250 organic linen dress you wear 80 times costs $3.12 per wear. A $40 fast fashion dress you wear 5 times costs $8 per wear. More sustainable dresses tend to have timeless design and be made with higher quality materials and construction, meaning they last longer, hold their shape better, and don’t need replacing as often. That said, always look at the care instructions! Natural fibers may require a bit more attention than synthetic fibers (such as air-drying instead of throwing in a machine dryer) but they’re well worth the additional effort.
And there are also genuinely affordable sustainable options (like No Nasties and tentree) that prove sustainability doesn’t always mean expensive. Some brands are priced very competitively with their less sustainably-minded counterparts.
What’s the most sustainable type of fabric for a dress?
This is a nearly impossible question to answer because no single fiber is the “best” by all measures. There are so many considerations (land use, water use, biodegradability, longevity, carbon emissions, and so on) that I cannot tell you the single “best” fiber.
That said, I avoid synthetic materials, which are made from fossil fuels and release microplastics into our environment when washed. Among natural options, different fibers have different use cases, so I recommend looking for the best version of each. This deep dive has much more on fabrics.
But even then there are nuances — is 50% organic cotton blend with hemp or linen better than a 100% conventional cotton fabric considering that monofiber fabrics are much easier to recycle at the end of their life? What about the fact that a recycled polyester dress can have a lower carbon footprint than a cotton one, depending on where that cotton is grown? As you can see, the most sustainable question is complicated.
Should I buy secondhand instead of new sustainable dresses?
From a pure environmental standpoint, secondhand is almost always the better choice — no new resources used, no new manufacturing emissions. Platforms like ThredUp, The RealReal, Poshmark, and Depop are great starting points. That said, buying new from sustainably-minded brands does serve a purpose: it signals market demand for responsible production and can support artisans, ethical manufacturers, and/or women-owned small businesses, depending on the brand. The best approach in my mind? Check secondhand first. If you can’t find what you need, then invest in a quality piece from a trusted more sustainable brand if you can.
What sustainable dresses come in plus sizes or extended sizes?
Size inclusivity is an area where sustainable fashion has historically underperformed. While it felt like it was improving for a while, several of the most inclusive brands — like LOUD BODIES — have closed down, leaving a gap in the market. So while full size inclusivity is still uncommon, there are a few brands with extended sizing. Christy Dawn goes up to 3XL in some styles, Míe up to 3XL, and Tradlands to 4XL. When shopping, always check the full size range on the brand’s website, as some brands offer extended sizes only in select styles.
Where is the best place to buy sustainable dresses?
The brands in this guide are a strong starting point, but the best place to buy depends on what you’re looking for. Before anything else though, check secondhand first. ThredUp and The RealReal both have strong dress selections and you may find exactly what you’re looking for at a fraction of the price.
For romantic, everyday dresses in organic cotton, Christy Dawn and LANIUS are hard to beat. For occasion and wedding guest dresses, OMNES has the strongest ethical selection at that end of the market. For budget-friendly options that don’t sacrifice much, No Nasties and tentree both deliver. For classic and relatively more modest styles for work or daily wear, Linen Handmade Studio and Tradlands have beautiful options. For trend-driven, sexier dresses for an evening out, Reformation is a go-to.
