14 Sustainable Little Black Dresses For Every Occasion
image: Whimsy & Row
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THE BEST ECO-FRIENDLY LITTLE BLACK DRESSES
A little black dress is truly a staple piece every woman should have in her wardrobe. It is probably one of the most versatile clothing items you can own, as it is easy to dress up and dress down.
Paired with simple sandals, it is a great casual dress that you can wear for picnics, shopping or walking in the city. When you add a few accessories and put high heels or booties on, it becomes the ideal dress for going out at night and for most special occasions.
Since you always look good in a little black dress, it is THE dress you choose whenever you do not know what to wear to a more formal event. It is classic, yet chic and timeless!
However, it is often cheaply made by fast fashion brands using synthetic materials. But thankfully, we can choose a more eco-friendly version to minimize its environmental impact.
If you are on the hunt for a staple piece for your wardrobe, one of these 14 sustainable little black dresses will be perfect for you!
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE LITTLE BLACK DRESS
The little black dress was introduced to the world in 1926 when Vogue published a drawing of a simple black dress designed by Coco Chanel. Before that, women only wore black when mourning, but in the late 1920s, the Parisian designer changed everything.
Thanks to its simplicity and affordable price, the little black dress became very popular in the 1930s, during the Great Depression. Women of all classes could finally wear an elegant yet practical outfit without breaking the bank.
It became a uniform for many women at the time, and above all, one of the most influential garments in fashion history. After the Second World War, designer Christian Dior updated the little black dress and gave it a sexier look, which truly changed women’s fashion.
Hollywood stars quickly adopted the little black dress, the most famous one being Audrey Hepburn who paired it with a pearl necklace in the movie Breakfast at Tiffany’s in 1961. Since then, the little black dress has remained one of women’s favorite fashion pieces.
WHAT MAKES A LITTLE BLACK DRESS SUSTAINABLE?
A sustainable little black dress is made with high-quality, eco-friendly fabrics. It is built to last, and you should be able to enjoy it for years without it wearing down.
Also, an eco-friendly little black dress is not produced in a sweatshop, so stay away from fast fashion brands. Workers should be paid fair wages, and work in a safe and healthy environment.
A dress made by a certified B Corporation or a Fair Trade brand is always a good option!
WHAT ECO-FRIENDLY FABRICS SHOULD YOU SEARCH FOR?
Sustainable little black dresses are usually made with organic cotton, linen or recycled polyester. Some lovely dresses are also produced from Tencel, hemp, reclaimed cotton and deadstock fabrics. All of these are great, eco-friendly fabrics!
In general, avoid synthetic fabrics that are non-recycled, and prefer organic and biodegradable materials. And try to choose fabrics that are OEKO-TEX certified, meaning that they are free of harmful substances and safe to wear.
Plus, it is even better if the fabric is dyed using low-impact, non-toxic dyes (look for the GOTS and Bluesign® certifications).
OUR TOP PICKS FOR SUSTAINABLE LITTLE BLACK DRESSES:
1) Sleeveless Tee Black Organic Cotton Dress by Eleven44
Materials: Organic Cotton
Price: $74
Slow-fashion brand Eleven44 focuses on minimalist comfort basics for your capsule wardrobe. This comfortable yet sassy LBD is made from certified organic cotton jersey.
The design is meant to be oversized for an easy, relaxed fit, but if you want a more fitted look, choose a size down.
Eleven44 works with several small family-run businesses in Bali to manufacture their clothing brand. They source certified organic cotton dyed using low-impact reactive dyes, which are GOTS-certified.
2) Fit & Flare Shorty midi dress (in black) by Pact
Materials: Organic Cotton
Price: $74
This Fit & Flare Shorty midi dress created by Pact has a classic and timeless style, yet it is very flattering and beautifully made. Fitted at the top and flared at the waist, it has a midi length, but you can also choose a longer version of this dress.
Pact’s little black dress features two hidden side pockets as well as a built-in, wireless shelf bra that makes it very comfortable and easy to wear.
The dress is made of GOTS-certified organic cotton in a Fair Trade certified factory in India. Producing this dress requires 47 gallons less water than a similar dress made of conventional cotton, which is huge!
3) Ines bubble sleeve dress from Made Trade
Materials: Organic Cotton
Price: $98
The Ines bubble sleeve dress created by the small fair trade brand Mata Traders is sold on Made Trade’s website. It is made of organic cotton jersey, a soft and breathable fabric that you can wear for all your daily activities.
This little black dress finishes just above the knee, and it features cute puffy sleeves and practical hidden pockets.
It is handcrafted at a fair trade women’s cooperative in India.
The brand Mata Traders specializes in making beautiful dresses, jewelry and accessories using traditional techniques such as block printing and embroidery. Every order on Made Trade’s website is 100% carbon-neutral, so you can feel good about purchasing this little black dress!
use code SUSTAINABLYCHIC for $20 off your first order of $150+
4) Joni dress in black linen by Whimsy & Row
Materials: Linen
Price: $192
The Joni dress sold by Whimsy & Row is a mini dress that you can easily wear with sneakers for a more laid-back style, or with nice sandals or booties whenever you want to look more elegant and chic.
It features a stretchy smocked bodice and cool puffy sleeves. This little black dress is made of 100% linen, which absorbs moisture and is naturally antibacterial, making it a great fabric to wear in the summer or on a warm spring day.
The website discloses how much water, energy and waste are saved and how many carbon emissions are avoided when you buy this dress instead of a non-sustainable version. How cool is that?!
5) Adelina cotton eyelet midi dress (in black) by Amour Vert
Materials: Cotton, Recycled Polyester
Price: $228
Amour Vert designed the Adelina cotton eyelet midi dress with an A-line silhouette, adjustable straps and an invisible zipper in the back. Its elegant detachable tie waist offers a very flattering fit.
The bodice is made of cotton while the beautiful lining of the dress is made with 100% recycled polyester. You will love how easy it is to dress it up and dress it down!
Amour Vert produces its clothes in California and always makes them in limited quantities to eliminate any excess waste. To minimize its impact, the brand sends its products in protective bags made from compostable and recycled materials, all printed with soy-based inks.
6) City stretch crepe shift dress (in black) by Universal Standard
Materials: Recycled Polyester
Price: $108
This City stretch crepe shift dress created by Universal Standard is a cool addition to any capsule wardrobe. Great to wear at work or for all your daily activities, it has a straight fit and it finishes just above the knee.
Universal Standard’s dress has bracelet-length sleeves, which are ideal for spring days or cooler summer nights.
Made from recycled polyester, it also features a V-neckline and practical, deep pockets on the sides.
The brand is extremely size-inclusive: this dress is available in sizes 4XS up to 4XL! Universal Standard also regularly donates its clothes to organizations that support women returning to the workforce, like Dress For Success.
7) Organic Cotton Ponte Zip-Up Dress by Eileen Fisher
Materials: Organic Cotton, Polyester, Polyurethane
Price: $178
The Ponte zip-up dress sold by Eileen Fisher is a classic sleeveless little black dress that is perfect for wearing to the office, but you can also easily dress it up for going out.
Available in sizes XXS to 3X, it is tighter at the top and wider at the hem.
It stops above the knee and features hidden side pockets and a short front zipper. This dress is made in Indonesia using organic cotton, polyester and polyurethane.
Eileen Fisher is a certified B-Corporation, and it colors its clothes with Bluesign® certified dyes, meaning that they are free of hazardous chemicals and they help save water and energy.
8) The Annabelle Dress by Christy Dawn
Materials: Organic Cotton
Price: $358
Christy Dawn's take on a classic victorian night dress!
This dress is made from 100% organic cotton and features ladder stitching detailing, delicate pintucks, picot and lace edging. It is also naturally and organically dyed.
Christy Dawn is committed to practices that honor Mother Earth and believe that sustainability doesn’t go far enough, instead focusing on regenerative processes that heal the planet.
9) Nellie Dress by Carve Designs
Materials: EcoVero
Price: $98
This LBD from Carve is simple and elegant and comes complete with side pockets!
If you are unfamiliar, EcoVero™ is a more sustainable viscose made using sustainable wood from controlled sources like FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) or PEFC (Program for Endorsement of Forest Certification Schemes) certified in Europe.
As a company born at the beach and endlessly inspired by the outdoors, Carve prides themselves on crafting fashion forward everyday designs that are made mostly out of sustainable materials.
10) Zenni Linen Dress by Reformation
Materials: Linen
Price: $218
Are you looking for a bit of shape?
The Zenni is a sleeveless mini dress with a boat neckline, a slight V-back, and an A-line skirt. We love that it is made from linen, too! Reformation specializes in selling sustainably-made clothing and shoes for women. In addition, the brand creates dresses for any special occasion, including weddings and proms.
Reformation is climate-neutral certified, and it is a member of Textile Exchange, the Sustainable Apparel Coalition and the Fair Labor Association.
11) Zero Dress by Malaika
Materials: Deadstock Fabric
Price: $230
The Zero Dress is a black knee-length shift dress with up-cycled bike tube detail to hold the snaps, oversized neck detail, and raw edges. The draping makes it flattering to many body types, and it is quite versatile to create multiple looks.
Malaika New York’s unique zero waste designs embrace the female body, focusing on comfort, versatility, and timelessness.
Malaika is a great choice if you feel like trends are wasteful and are building a high-quality capsule collection.
use code MALAIKASCHIC for 15% off your first order
12) The Gisele Dress by Bastet Noir
Materials: Discarded Silk
Price: $182
The Gisele Dress is a mini satin dress with a V neckline, long bishop sleeves with four-button closures, front pleated detail with three buttons on the side, and a hidden back zipper. It is also double-lined, and you can submit your measurements for a custom order.
Bastet Noir is a sustainable brand that creates made-to-order clothing to ensure its pieces fit its clients perfectly. The company creates beautiful, elegant dresses from discarded materials like silk and cotton.
You will love that the brand always discloses how much time was needed to make the dress and the detailed costs of each step of the production process!
Bastet Noir’s dresses are produced in Macedonia by a community of single mothers. The brand reinvests its profits to help these women grow their businesses and fund their children's education.
13) V Mesh Compact Crepe Slip Dress by Stella McCartney
Materials: Forest-Friendly Viscose & Silk Lining
Price: $1,250
We love this ultra-sheer mesh insert on this little black dress by Stella McCartney. The dress is made with compact stretch crepe and hugs the figure for a flattering silhouette. Stella McCartney is a renowned British fashion brand that sells clothing for women and men, accessories, perfume, eyewear, as well as kids’ clothes.
The brand is very transparent regarding its environmental impact. In 2021, it became a member of the Ethical Trading Initiative, which promotes respect for workers’ rights and helps companies to improve the working conditions in their supply chains.
14) Cue Wrap Short Sleeve Dress by Toad&Co
Materials: Organic Cotton & Tencel
Price: $90
Toad & Co has reimagined the wrap and t-shirt dresses with this sweet number.
Made from their exclusive Samba fabric, this durable and sustainably made dress has the soft feel of a t-shirt with the elegant drape and styling of a wrap dress - the best of both worlds.
Most of Toad & Co’s clothes also carry the Bluesign or OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 certifications (some even have both). All the company’s products are picked, packed, and shipped in a warehouse that trains, employs, and empowers people with developmental and intellectual disabilities. Toad & Co is also a member of the Conservation Alliance and 1% For The Planet, and has helped fund 120 environmental protection organizations over the past 20 years.
About the Author:
Eva Astoul is a French freelance writer, specializing in content related to sustainability, simple living, and a growth-focused healthy lifestyle.
She runs her own blog, Green With Less, to inspire people to live a more minimalist and sustainable life.
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