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Affordable Sustainable & Ethical Dresses Perfect for the Minimalist
Looking to add a new ethical dress to your wardrobe? We’ve compiled a list of affordable, sustainable dresses perfect for the minimalist wardrobe. Most of these dresses here are under $125, and all are ethically made & out of eco-friendly fabrics. These are mostly solid colors to add to a capsule wardrobe easily, but there are a few neutral prints you may enjoy. We love versatile dresses that are comfortable and easy to dress up or down, depending on where you are going. Enjoy!
What Makes a Dress Ethical or Sustainable?
When thinking in terms of ethics - Does the brand pay the manufacturer fairly? Is the farmer growing the cotton treated fairly, as well? Depending on your values, you will look for different things when shopping ethically. For example, if you are vegan, you would ensure the dress does not contain animal products.
I find sustainable fashion to be the main focus & includes the term ‘ethical.’ Typically, for a dress to be considered ‘sustainable,’ it should be eco-friendly, ethically made, lasting, and accessible. Of course, we could make a long list of what a sustainable dress should be, but these are the key characteristics I look for when deciding on my purchase. There is a simple checklist to find at the end of this post here, and in this post, you can learn much more about sustainable fashion and how you can participate in the movement.
Looking for something more formal? Click here.
& before I dive into this post… I have to get something off my chest.
What is ‘affordable’ ethical fashion?
I received this comment on Pinterest:
“literally none of these are “affordable” 😂 $128 for a dress i can buy at target for $25”
I’m sure some of you may be thinking the same thing… But if you are paying $25 for a dress, know someone is being taken advantage of - and cheap goods (like a fast-fashion dress at Target) only continue to support poverty. If you want to ensure the farmer and maker are paid a fair wage, paying only $25 for a dress is unheard of. This is not possible! $40 would be the absolute least inexpensive you could find in an ethical brand, and that dress would be very simple. If you can not spend $128 on a quality, ethically-made dress that will last you years and years, purchase a second-hand dress - or love the dresses you already have. Don’t go to Target or another fast-fashion store because you want to pay less. Fashion is not supposed to be cheap! There are people behind the clothes you wear, and those people need to make a fair wage for their work <3
Clothing consumption is up 400% from nearly two decades ago. Most people purchase not out of necessity but out of want and to keep up with trends. Fast fashion only exists because of this - not because it caters to poor people. People who live on very low wages, who need clothing, and who are purchasing from fast brands are not the problem.
read more about sustainable fashion - here - and fast fashion - here -
Now, our top picks for minimalist dresses that are sustainable & ethical:
1) Jaya Wrap Dress
Brand: Passion Lilie
Price: $120
Material: Cotton & Recycled Cotton
This lovely dress is curve-friendly and flattering for all body types - even for nursing mothers! It is handwoven and handmade ethically in India.
Your purchase helps provide a secure job with fair wages and a positive working environment to artisans in India and the United States.
2) Blaire Dress
Brand: Carve Designs
Price: $98
Material: Organic Cotton
This collarless button-down is paired with a flouncy tiered skirt and sweet ruffle detail - and comes in 4 different colors (navy, olive, white & pink). As a company born at the beach and endlessly inspired by the outdoors, Carve prides itself on crafting fashion-forward everyday designs made of sustainable materials.
18) Cascadence Sweater Dress
Brand: prAna
Price: on sale $48
Material: Organic Cotton, Recycled Poly & Wool
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WANT MORE SUSTAINABLE BRANDS? VISIT OUR BRAND DIRECTORY!
Our Brand Directory is home to hundreds of sustainable brands, from makeup to cleaning supplies, from underwear to shoes. We have broken everything down by category for easy shopping, along with discount codes unique to Sustainably Chic viewers.
