10 Best Summer Dresses From Sustainable Brands (2024)
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We’ve reviewed dozens of summer dresses from sustainable brands — these are our top fair trade and ethical dress selections for comfort, style, fit, and across a range of price points and size options.
As the days get longer and warmer, we’re dreaming of flowy summer dresses and long afternoons spent at the farmer’s market. While not every day can be as luxurious as a Saturday afternoon, we can still sport some of our favorite sundresses without sacrificing our values.
These 10 sustainable brands prioritize fair trade standards and practice ethical manufacturing through the use of deadstock fabrics or organic cotton for their summer dress collections. Many brands also have give-back initiatives that help empower the workers who create their garments. These dresses feel good to wear because they are good.
Our criteria:
- ETHICAL PRACTICES | These summer dresses are made by sustainable brands that adhere to ethical and responsible labor practices, ensuring their employees receive fair wages and have safe working environments. We’ve also included dress brands that give back to their communities and prioritize size inclusivity in their offerings.
- ECO-FRIENDLY/SUSTAINABLE | Each of these summer dress collections is made by a brand that practices sustainability throughout their manufacturing process, including using all natural and organic materials, low-impact processes, and recycled/upcycled materials in their dresses where possible.
- DESIGN | From flowy sundresses to chic and formfitting cocktail attire, we’ve compiled a roundup of dress designs for every possible occasion and need.
- INCLUSIVITY | While sustainable fashion can be pricey and fashion is often limiting when it comes to size ranges, we’ve made an effort to include something for everyone on this list.
To accessorize and complete your summer dress selection, check out our favorite sustainable sandals and ethical jewelry brands.
Best Overall | Most Affordable | Best Active Dress
1. Pact
Best For | Organic cotton dresses
Sustainable Materials | GOTS-certified organic cotton
Size Range | XS–XL
Price | Dresses starting at $38
Made using organic cotton, Pact‘s summer dresses are the breeziest. Choose from simple midi dresses or fun fit and flares or cozy boho-styles — these clothes are so cozy, whatever you choose will be a favorite for summers to come. Details like tie-fronts and double-layered tops add the perfect amount of interest to elevate each dress to something special. Be sure to check out their donation program for used clothes!
Customer Review | “Gorgeous fit, lovely and light fabric, beautiful color – and, best of all, earth-friendly!” – Sylvia V. (Read all reviews.)
2. MagicLinen
Best For | Pullover day dresses
Sustainable Materials | OEKO-TEX Certified linen
Size Range | XS-XL
Price | Dresses starting at $85
MagicLinen makes breezy and sustainable linen garments for every day wear that are meant to last. Their locally-made dresses are exactly what a linen dress should be: easy, breathable, and with the kind of cut and draping that only looks better with wear. We are particularly partial to their pullover, beachy styles but we also love their more structured styles for special events.
Customer Review | “I bought this dress and love it. I am happy I went one size down, it still has plenty of flow and big movement. Washes nicely, hang dry, and then steam. Love that it has pockets too. So happy I purchased in black as well.” – Christie V. (Read all reviews.)
3. Quince
Best For | Budget-friendly dresses
Sustainable Materials | ECOVERO™ LENZING™, organic cotton, TENCEL™ Lyocell, European linen
Size Range | XS–XL; up to US 12
Price | Dresses starting at $40
From organic cotton maxi dresses, to European linen shirt dresses, Quince crafts clothing for style and sustainability. Each summer dress is breathable, durable while boasting flowy and flattering silhouettes for an elegant yet casual look. Quince carries everything from more casual to formal attire, making it the perfect choice for shopping for any occasion. Many pieces are OEKO-TEX Certified and produced in BSCI-certified factories in Shenzen, China. Elevate your wardrobe with these eco-conscious clothes!
Customer Review | “Love this dress. It is comfy yet not sloppy or too casual. I can dress it up or down……. so easy to slip on with nice shoes. I am now buying a white one for that crisp, cool look.” – Susan (Read all reviews.)
4. Reformation
Best For | On-trend sustainable dresses
Sustainable Materials | Deadstock fabrics, TENCEL™ Lyocell, organic cotton
Size Range | XXS–3X; up to US 24
Price | Dresses starting at $98
Dress to impress yourself in a sweet little number from Reformation. Whether you’re looking for something perfectly fitted, a smocked back, or a ruffled neckline, there’s a dress with your name on it. Plus, many of their goods are ethically made in Los Angeles from sustainable and regenerative sources like viscose, a wood pulp-based fabric from sustainably managed forests.
5. Everlane
Best For | Minimal dresses & jumpsuits
Sustainable Materials | Organic cotton, TENCEL™ Lyocell
Size Range | XXS–XXL
Price | Dresses starting at $50
Everlane is all about radical transparency. Under each item, you’ll find the true cost of each product. Though some costs, like design and rent, are hard to quantify, Everlane knows that you deserve to know what goes into the items you love. Alongside their transparency model, Everlane prioritizes timeless designs and quality materials in their summer dresses, like organic cotton and TENCEL™ Lyocell, so you can wear their pieces for years to come.
Customer Review | “The most comfortable, light and airy summer dress. Fits so well, love the light, cotton material. Will be on repeat all summer long.” – AllTimeZones (Read all reviews.)
6. Sézane
Best For | Statement dresses
Sustainable Materials | ECOVERO™ LENZING™, recycled poly, organic cotton
Size Range | XS–XXL; up to US 14
Price | Dresses starting at $145
Summer is the time to wear bold colors and fun prints, and Sézane’s dress collection provides pieces that will help you stand out. These are dresses you will want to be seen in, whether you’re going to an office picnic or a romantic dinner date. Be a little daring in a structured, mini shirt dress or hit the farmer’s market in a romantic pleated skirt with fitted bodice and delicate tie spaghetti straps — whatever you choose will be sure to turn heads!
7. MATE the Label
Best For | Everyday Dresses
Sustainable Materials | GOTS-Certified organic linen
Size Range | XS–XL
Price | Dresses starting at $168
MATE the Label’s high quality linen dresses are what we’ve been dreaming of! Crafted from GOTS-Certified organic linen, these fresh and breezy dresses will have you be embodying the clean-girl aesthetic in style. MATE keeps their supply chain clean by using significantly less water and carbon compared to conventional materials. They also prioritize your health and the planet’s by excluding harmful chemicals like pesticides and formaldehyde from their clothing. With MATE, you can dress clean and feel clean, knowing your clothes use natural, non-toxic, and organic.
Customer Review | “I love everything about this dress. The linen is beautiful and breathable and the design is so cozy and functional. The little pocket belt is perfect.” – Rachel G. (Read all reviews.)
8. Christy Dawn
Best For | Flowy, romantic dresses
Sustainable Materials | Deadstock fabrics, organic & regenerative cotton
Size Range | XS–3X; up to US 24
Price | Dresses starting at $88
If you’re looking for a sheer, romantic dress to wear on a moonlit stroll, Christy Dawn has got you covered. Ethically made in the USA and India from organic and deadstock fabrics, the ruffle details, smocked bodices, and nostalgic floral prints will make any walk outside feel like a whimsical frolic. With charming prints and flowing silhouettes, choose a dress for a special occasion — or any time you feel like adding a little loveliness to your day.
Customer Review | “Looks like it’s from another era, feels comfy and flattering. It’s a little more yellow than what I thought but the fit of it is so darn cute I’m keeping it even though I typically never wear yellow! I was also worried about the length since I’m 5’4 but it’s perfect and I won’t be needing to get it altered. I hope I get to wear this dress for many summers to come while I read my paperback novels under the sun. And yes, it has pockets 😉” – Jennie R. (Read all reviews.)
9. Girlfriend Collective
Best For | Athletic dresses
Sustainable Materials | Recycled PET
Size Range | XXS–6X; up to US 32
Price | Dresses starting at $88
Looking for the perfect dress to take you from the gym to brunch? Or maybe just something with some compression that isn’t your same old tired legging set (it’s summer — it’s hot!). Girlfriend Collective has a whole line of workout dresses made from recycled materials and eco-friendly dyes that are ideal for a busy day, whether you’re running errands or hitting the tennis courts. We especially love their Sweetheart dress, inspired by their best selling bra of the same name! A comfy, sustainable dress that we can sweat in while looking cute and skipping the bra? *Adding to cart…
Customer Review | “I think this is my fav of all the GF collective dresses I’ve owned! Love the color of course, and the material is so comfortable. The fit is flattering and feels supportive in all the right places. I love the Riley sweetheart bras because of the fit and support and comfort, so I had a feeling this would be a winner.” – Sandra O. (Read all reviews.)
10. Oddbird
Best For | House dresses
Sustainable Materials | Ethically & sustainably sourced Turkish cotton
Size Range | S–5X
Price | Dresses starting at $150
Let Oddbird reinvent your indoor wardrobe with their luxurious collection of Turkish house dresses! With lots of size inclusive options (running up to 5X) you can snag a versatile piece perfect for transitioning between indoor and outdoor activities. Cut and sewn in small batches in Turkey, these dresses are spun and dyed-to-order by local artisans. Made with 100% cotton, Oddbird’s dresses are ideal for wearing at home, over swimwear, or as a summer day dress.
Customer Review | “There aren’t enough words to describe just how wonderful the fabric is – it feels incredibly airy, it’s the only thing I want to wear!” – Samantha Bastress (Read all reviews.)
Header image from Reformation
