A look back at early Earth Day activism in Kansas City
Every April since 1970, people around the world have been celebrating Earth Day with parades, festivals, and events to raise awareness for environmental issues and to teach future generations to protect our planet.
From organizing for the inaugural event on April 22, 1970, to the community sculpture events in the early nineties, Kansas City has its own history of Earth Day events.
Here’s a look back at Earth Day events that began in 1989 led by local organization, Heartland All Species Project.
The events combined art and science to raise awareness about ecological issues, and gathered thousands of Kansas Citians in celebration, costume, and activism.
Each event featured a massive community sculpture that repurposed waste to tell a story. Here are photos of those sculptures that were taken over 30 years ago during the month of April. Event organizers Marty Kraft and Stan Slaughter reflect on these impressive community gatherings.
Phantom Forest Sculpture – 1989

The 1989 sculpture raised awareness about trees. At this time, there was no curbside paper recycling in the city and newspapers did not use recycled paper content. They calculated how many 30-year pine trees were needed to produce one issue of the Kansas City Star’s Sunday newspaper, and planned to recreate a forest of the estimated 1,800 trees as the Phantom Forest sculpture. They worked with a survey company to arrange the 1,800 dots in the form of a 430-foot long, 180-foot wide pine tree.
The sculpture was made with newspapers packaged in brown paper sacks that were gathered by community members and local organizations. Volunteers assembled the tree at Theis Park (then Volker Park) over two days. The All Species Parade gathered on a Saturday morning to celebrate the sculpture.
This sculpture project had a big impact on Kraft.
“It took so many people to bring their newspapers to build the sculpture,” Kraft said. “The confusion and necessity to join together to solve the problems, community formed.”
At the end of the event, they were able to sell the 150,000 pounds of newspaper used during the event. The paper was recycled and used for insulation. The proceeds were donated to preserve and expand a cloud forest preserve in Costa Rica. The project was awarded recognition from the U.N. Environmental Project.
Heart of the Heartland Sculpture – 1990

1990 marked the 20th anniversary of Earth Day, and it was a widely celebrated global event. In Kansas City, the Heartland All Species Project organized the Heart of the Heartland Earth 150-foot diameter sculpture.
A coalition of community groups constructed the sculpture. It was made with newspapers in grocery bags for the outlines and the Rocky Mountains, red Coke cans for the heart, blue laundry detergent bottles for the rivers and lakes, milk jugs for the arctic snow, and blue mesh with aluminum cans for the ocean.
The sculpture was built on a Friday, and the All Species Parade was held on Saturday with 3,000 people parading through the Country Club Plaza in costume. The organizers opened an arts studio in the Crossroads for volunteers to create masks and costumes months before the event.
“People were charged to walk a mile in your favorite animal’s shoes,” Slaughter said. “Some schools came to the parade as an ecosystem. For example, an entire class came as a coral reef. We had a drum band lead the parade and the spirit was exulting.”
The parade concluded in the heart space around the globe, showing love for the earth.
Energy Independence Sculpture – 1991

The 1991 sculpture reflected on the Gulf War, and the discussions about crude oil and energy independence. The Energy Independence sculpture celebrated energy from the sun by recreating a solar collector.
During the celebration, people in costume stood in the sun holding red and yellow paper signs, and also ran through the solar collector wires creating the energy that powered the system.
The event featured a parade and a giant puppet play titled, “We’re off to see the lizard” about how the answers to our problems can be found in nature.
The organizers were inspired to use puppets after witnessing the excitement of other puppet theaters and events in the U.S.
“They instilled awe and awe can open a closed person to something different,” Kraft said. “Something better can be formed in this openness and the support of community can help it persist.”
Turtle Island Sculpture – 1992

1992 marked the 500th anniversary of Christopher Columbus’ arrival in North America. The Turtle Island sculpture and a puppet play highlighted “The World on the Turtle’s Back,” the creation story of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy people.
The Heartland All Species Project produced an even bigger puppet play for this event with five 15-foot tall puppets and a cast of 140 volunteer puppeteers.
In reflecting on the committed volunteers, Kraft remarked that joy and passion was their main energy.
“We had a team of people who really got it. They were passionate about shifting our culture that they put in the time. It wasn’t a sacrifice. It was a joyful endeavor.”
Reflecting on their activism
These volunteer-led events ended, but the organizers are still environmental educators today.
“Be the change. We’re the ones we’ve been waiting for,” Slaughter said. “Some tremendous actions and progress happened because people stepped up. We are the best we have and it’s enough.”
Photos used with permission from Marty Kraft and Stan Slaughter.
The post From the Archives: Earth Day in KC appeared first on Greenability.
Green Living
Best of Sustainability In Your Ear: Carbon Direct Chief Scientist Julio Friedmann on the Path to Carbon Removal
The scale of our climate challenge is staggering: humans have pumped 1.6 trillion tonnes of carbon dioxide into the air and oceans since 1750, and we’re adding another 40 billion tonnes every year. Even with dramatic emissions reductions, we’re still on track to blow past 1.5 degrees of warming, the Paris Accord target first breached in 2024. Tune in to a conversation with Dr. Julio Friedmann, Chief Scientist at Carbon Direct. This carbon management company partners with Fortune 500 companies such as Microsoft, JPMorgan Chase, and American Express to transform net-zero commitments into science-backed action plans. After a career that began as a researcher at ExxonMobil and included service at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Columbia University’s energy policy center, and running advanced energy programs in the Obama administration’s Department of Energy, Julio brings unique expertise to the intersection of massive climate challenges and current technological capabilities.

As companies work toward 2030 and 2050 carbon goals, the question isn’t whether we’ll need massive carbon removal—it’s whether we can deploy it fast enough and fairly enough to matter. The recent $100 million XPRIZE Carbon Removal awards highlighted the diversity of approaches being pursued, with natural solutions like enhanced rock weathering using basalt and azomite soil, and biochar applications to farmland dominating the winners. But how do these technologies stack up against the hype? Friedmann provides a realistic assessment of where Direct Air Capture, ocean alkalinity enhancement, and other carbon removal approaches stand today. Carbon Direct’s team of 70+ scientists changes the conversation with corporate clients about their carbon strategies, providing the scientific firepower to offer hard feedback about what’s needed to preserve the markets, supply chains, and revenue streams companies depend on. You can learn more about Carbon Direct’s work and explore their library of climatetech reports at https://www.carbon-direct.com/
- Subscribe to Sustainability In Your Ear on iTunes
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The post Best of Sustainability In Your Ear: Carbon Direct Chief Scientist Julio Friedmann on the Path to Carbon Removal appeared first on Earth911.
https://earth911.com/podcast/sustainability-in-your-ear-carbon-direct-chief-scientist-julio-friedmann-on-the-path-to-carbon-removal/
Green Living
The Best Sustainable Dresses Brands of 2026 — for Any Budget
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 eco-friendly dress 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.
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?
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 flowy, 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.
Conscious Qualities: Organic & Regenerative Fabrics, Local & Ethical Production
Size Range: XS-3XL
Price Range: $$$
2. Whimsy + Row
Best for flirty and feminine frocks
If you want a sustainable dress that doesn’t scream “sustainable”, Los Angeles-based Whimsy + Row is the brand for you.
The slow fashion label manufacturers their clothing in limited batches just a few miles away from their office and sources repurposed fabrics (i.e. deadstock) and lower-impact natural materials (such as linen and organic cotton) for their unapologetically feminine clothing. And don’t sleep on their bridesmaid dress options!
Conscious Qualities: Lower Impact Fabrics, Small Batch Production
Size Range: XS-XL
Price Range: $$-$$$

3. Tradlands
Best for effortless house dresses
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 jewelry and elegant sandals to dinner. (Monofiber fabrics — i.e. 100% of one fiber — is also easier to recycle than fabric blends.)
Conscious Qualities: Natural Fibers, Small Batch Production, Extended Sizing
Size Range: XS-4XL
Price Range: $$
4. Magic Linen
Best for 100% linen dresses
Versatile, breezy, and perfect for simmering temps, Magic Linen’s relaxed styles offer everything you need to feel calm and collected all summer long. Crafted from pure linen that has been stone-washed to provide unparalleled softness against your skin, these relaxed fits are the ideal intersection between vacation chic and functional style.
All of Magic Linen’s summer-ready pieces are created on a made-to-order basis, ensuring their garments are not overproduced. The brand also minimizes wastage by repurposing most of its fabric offcuts to create smaller items.
Conscious Qualities: Lower Impact Natural Materials, Woman-Owned, Made-To-Order
Size Range: US 2–18
Price Range: $$-$$$
5. Rare & Fair
Best for special occasionwear
Made thoughtfully with time-honored practices by master artisans and craftspeople in small batches, Rare & Fair has truly exceptional sustainable dresses. Each piece is made in a fully transparent, traceable process from fiber to final stitch.
Conscious Qualities: Sustainable Fabrics & Processes, Artisan Made, Cultural Preservation
Size Range: XXS-XL
Price Range: $$$
6. tentree
Best for casual weekend dresses
When warm weather approaches, all you want is a dress you can throw on. And if your style skews minimalist, all you desire is a dress that has interesting details but doesn’t make too much of a fuss or song and dance about itself. Lucky for you, tentree has an array of simple dresses that fit the bill.
Button-down, wrap, cami, or even hooded, these pieces make everyday dressing feel like a breeze. Made from breathable materials like modal, hemp, TENCEL
Lyocell, linen, and organic cotton, these dresses are an ideal investment for the long haul.
Conscious Qualities: Eco Materials, Supply Chain Transparency, Plants Trees, Circularity Programs
Size Range: XS–XL
Price Range: $$-$$$
7. 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.
From breezy maxi dresses to functional dresses that come with a removable belt bag, their styles are made using GOTS Certified Organic Linen, ideal for keeping the heat at bay when the mercury rises to unbearable temperatures.
What’s more? You can work up a sweat feeling relieved knowing that all of their pieces are made using non-toxic dyes that don’t rely on harmful chemicals like pesticides, BPA, PFAS, and formaldehyde.
Size Range: XS – XL
Price Range: $ – $$$
8. OhSevenDays
Best for elevated dresses with a point of view
OhSevenDays’ dresses feature feminine silhouettes, muted colors, and unique details to impress. Made from deadstock fabrics sourced from Istanbul, Turkey. 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.
With the level of detail on OhSevenDays dresses, all you need is an elevated pair of sustainably-made sandals and you’ve got a complete look.
Conscious Qualities: Reclaimed Fabrics, Transparent Production
Size Range: S-L + custom sizing
Price Range: $

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.
Conscious Qualities: Organic Fabrics, Traceable Supply Chain, Fair Trade
Size Range: XS-L
Price Range: $
10. LOUD BODIES
Best for size inclusive slow fashion dresses
Crafting pieces in small batches using natural fibers in 15 different sizes, LOUD BODIES’ creates some of the best eco-friendly size inclusive dresses.
The brand will even produce pieces in custom sizes at no extra charge.
Conscious Qualities: Lower Impact Fabrics, Size Inclusive, Small Batch
Size Range: XXS-10XL
Price Range: $$
11. Míe
Best for dresses you won’t see anywhere else
Míe is an independent fashion brand prioritizing natural fibers like linen and distinguished design details like tiered puff sleeves and unique necklines. Based in Nigeria and only sold in select global retailers, you’re unlikely to see anyone else wearing something similar.
Each dress is designed and handcrafted responsibly at their atelier in Lagos, Nigeria.
Conscious Qualities: Natural Fibers, Black Woman-Owned
Size Range: XS-3XL
Price Range: $$$
12. Reformation
Best for going out styles
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. They’re doing better than most at their size — just go in with realistic expectations.
Conscious Qualities: Responsible Material Sourcing, Circularity Initiatives, Traceability
Size Range: 0 – 12 and 14 – 24 in select styles
Price Range: $$$
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 couterparts.
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.
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? 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 — but it’s improving. LOUD BODIES is the standout on this list, offering 15 sizes from XXS to 10XL. 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.
The post The Best Sustainable Dresses Brands of 2026 — for Any Budget appeared first on Conscious Life & Style.
Green Living
The 12 Best Sustainable Dresses of 2026 for Any Budget
What’s not to love about a solid dress in your wardrobe? A dress can be dressed up (or down), layered (or not) and when topped with the right top, can even transform into a skirt. Plus a dress is arguably the easiest outfit to put together that still looks put together. The right sustainable dress is a closet staple you’ll reach for when you *no idea* what to wear or you just want something breathable.
From casual 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 eco-friendly dress 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 fancier dresses, but if you’re shopping for exclusively special occasion dresses, I would recommend checking out this guide to ethical 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 to your closet for whatever reason.
Secondhand Dresses are Sustainable Dresses
The second most sustainable option is to look secondhand. ThredUp is a solid option for lower priced items and The RealReal is my favorite choice for premium and more luxury brands.
Online secondhand marketplaces like Poshmark or Depop are also good options — just something to watch out for peer-led secondhand marketplaces, is that they can contain new fast fashion disguised as “vintage” sometimes too so it can require some additional digging or questioning.
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? (no matter how “eco” the material is, if a brand is throwing away 30% of their stock, that’s not sustainable!)
- Timelessness Over Trends: this doesn’t mean boring! it just means: 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?
- Manufacturing: most brands do not produce their own clothing, but are they sourcing from facilities that use renewable energy? how about their shipping emissions?
- Quality: is the sustainable dress made to last? (fashion instructor Zoe Hong shared some tips for spotting high quality clothing on the podcast)
- 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?
- Ownership: is it a small sustainable business or big fashion brand owned by billionaires? is the brand marginalized owned? what are your values when it comes to where your money is going?
I know that’s a lot of questions! But these are just things 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.
This Guide’s Price Range Key:
- $ = Dresses under $100
- $$ = Dresses $100 – $200
- $$$ = Dresses $200+
This article features affiliates and partners. As always, we only feature brands that meet high standards for sustainability that we love — and that we think you’ll love too!
1. Christy Dawn
Crafting “dresses you want to live in”, Christy Dawn’s pieces are a fairytale come true with their flowy fit and dreamy prints. The sustainably-minded brand sources organic cotton as well as regenerative organic cotton grown in India by their partners Oshadi Collective. This “Farm-to-Closet” collection is also vegetable-dyed and block-printed in India using traditional time-honored practices.
Conscious Qualities: Organic & Regenerative Fabrics, Local & Ethical Production
Size Range: XS-3XL
Price Range: $$$
2. Whimsy + Row
Los Angeles-based sustainable fashion brand Whimsy + Row manufacturers their clothing in limited batches just a few miles away from their office. The brand sources upcycled fabrics (i.e. deadstock) and eco-minded materials (such as linen and organic cotton) for their flirty, feminine clothing.
Conscious Qualities: Eco Fabrics, Local & Ethical Production
Size Range: XS-XL
Price Range: $$-$$$
3. Tradlands
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 jewelry and elegant sandals to dinner.
Conscious Qualities: Natural Fibers, Small Batch Production, Extended Sizing
Size Range: XS-4XL
Price Range: $$
4. Magic Linen
Versatile, breezy, and perfect for simmering temps, Magic Linen’s relaxed styles offer everything you need to feel calm and collected all summer long. Crafted from pure linen that has been stone-washed to provide unparalleled softness against your skin, these relaxed fits are the ideal intersection between vacation chic and functional style.
All of Magic Linen’s summer-ready pieces are created on a made-to-order basis, ensuring their garments are not overproduced. The brand also minimizes wastage by repurposing most of its fabric offcuts to create smaller items.
Conscious Qualities: Lower Impact Natural Materials, Woman-Owned, Made-To-Order
Size Range: US 2–18
Price Range: $$-$$$
5. Rare & Fair
Made thoughtfully with time-honored practices by master artisans and craftspeople in small batches, Rare & Fair has truly exceptional sustainable dresses. Each piece is made in a fully transparent, traceable process from fiber to final stitch.
Conscious Qualities: Sustainable Fabrics & Processes, Artisan Made, Cultural Preservation
Size Range: XXS-XL
Price Range: $$$
6. tentree
When warm weather approaches, all you want is a dress you can throw on. And if your style skews minimalist, all you desire is a dress that has interesting details but doesn’t make too much of a fuss or song and dance about itself. Lucky for you, tentree has an array of simple dresses that fit the bill.
Button-down, wrap, cami, or even hooded, these pieces make everyday dressing feel like a breeze. Made from breathable materials like modal, hemp, TENCEL
Lyocell, linen, and organic cotton, these dresses are an ideal investment for the long haul.
Conscious Qualities: Eco Materials, Supply Chain Transparency, Plants Trees, Circularity Programs
Size Range: XS–XL
Price Range: $$-$$$
7. MATE
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.
From breezy maxi dresses to functional dresses that come with a removable belt bag, their styles are made using GOTS Certified Organic Linen, ideal for keeping the heat at bay when the mercury rises to unbearable temperatures.
What’s more? You can work up a sweat feeling relieved knowing that all of their pieces are made using non-toxic dyes that don’t rely on harmful chemicals like pesticides, BPA, PFAS, and formaldehyde.
Size Range: XS – XL
Price Range: $ – $$$
8. OhSevenDays
All of OhSevenDays’ dreamy sustainable dresses are made from deadstock fabrics sourced from Istanbul, Turkey. The slow fashion brand also offers a transparent behind the scenes look at their production process, all done in-house by a team of four tailors.
Conscious Qualities: Reclaimed Fabrics, Transparent Production
Size Range: S-L + custom sizing
Price Range: $
9. No Nasties
No Nasties creates 100% organic cotton fair trade dresses perfect for wearing to the beach with flip flops or pairing with heeled sandals for date night. Their versatile sustainable dresses are comfy, organic, and affordable with most pieces priced at under $100.
Conscious Qualities: Organic Fabrics, Traceable Supply Chain, Fair Trade
Size Range: XS-L
Price Range: $
10. LOUD BODIES
Crafting pieces in small batches using natural fibers in 15 different sizes, LOUD BODIES’ creates some of the best eco-friendly size inclusive dresses.
The brand will even produce pieces in custom sizes at no extra charge.
Conscious Qualities: Lower Impact Fabrics, Size Inclusive, Small Batch
Size Range: XXS-10XL
Price Range: $$
11. Míe
Defying typical design boundaries, Míe’s ethical dresses have a loose, comfortable fit but feature unique design elements like off-the-shoulder puff sleeves, making them the ultimate summer staples. And every dress is crafted responsibly in Nigeria using breathable, natural fibers like linen.
Conscious Qualities: Natural Fibers, Black Woman-Owned
Size Range: XS-3XL
Price Range: $$$
12. Reformation
Fun and flirty, Reformation has fashion-forward dresses for day or night and everything in between.
A leader in fashion for setting sustainability standards, Reformation used 97% recycled, regenerative, or renewable materials in 2023 and nearly 1 in 5 of their sales were resale, vintage, or rental. They also have partnerships with repair company Hemster and resale site thredUP. (Find more details in their sustainability report.)
Conscious Qualities: Responsible Material Sourcing, Circularity Initiatives, Traceability
Size Range: 0 – 12 and 14 – 24 in select styles
Price Range: $$$
Looking for accessories to go with that sustainable dress?
15 Brands with Ethical and Sustainable Sandals
The Best Eco-Friendly Vegan Bag Brands
Beautiful Fair Trade Artisan Jewelry Brands That Shine
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