Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliated, so we may earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. This post is also sponsored in part by Passion Lillie. We only add brands & products we truly believe in.

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.

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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.

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3) Ballet Dress

Brand: Kotn

Price: $118 (code KOTNCHIC10 for 10% off)

Material: Cotton

4) Mika T-Shirt Dress

Brand: 337

Price: $59

Material: Organic Cotton & Bamboo

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5) Your T-Shirt Dress

Brand: Pareto

Price: $68

Material: Organic Cotton

6) Chrysalis Cardi

Brand: Encircled

Price: $183

Material: Lenzing Modal® 

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7) The Linen Workwear Dress

Brand: Everlane

Price: $98

Material: Linen

8) Convertible Shirt Dress

Brand: Vetta

Price: on sale $89

Material: Organic Cotton & Recycled Poly

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9) Reese Dress

Brand: Ably

Price: $80

Material: Modal

10) Lite T-Shirt Dress

Brand: Organic Basics

Price: on sale for $39

Material: Tencel

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11) Jane Maxi Dress

Brand: ABLE

Price: on sale for $78

Material: Cotton

12) Airplane Tank Dress

Brand: Pact

Price: on sale for $70

Material: Organic Cotton

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13) Naomi Workout Dress

Brand: Girlfriend

Price: on sale $62

Material: Recycled Plastic Bottles

14) Zendaya Dress

Brand: Amour Vert

Price: on sale $67

Material: Tencel

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15) Poplin Dress

Brand: For Days

Price: $98

Material: Organic Cotton

16) Isla Dress

Brand: Whimsy & Row

Price: on sale $40

Material: Organic Cotton

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17) Denver Frill Dress

Brand: Thought

Price: on sale $25

Material: Organic Cotton

18) Cascadence Sweater Dress

Brand: prAna

Price: on sale $48

Material: Organic Cotton, Recycled Poly & Wool

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19) Fit + Flare Midi Dress

Brand: Happy Earth

Price: on sale for $52

Material: Organic Cotton

20) Royal Toscana Dress

Brand: Magic Linen

Price: $89

Material: Linen

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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.

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related reading you may also enjoy:

Image: Look Optic

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliated; we may earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. We only ever add brands & products we truly believe in. Thank you for supporting the brands who are making the fashion industry a better place!

the best sustainable eyewear brands for prescription glasses

Need a new pair of glasses, but prefer to find ones with an eco-friendly ethos? This post has got you covered! We have found a handful of brands making more sustainable glasses than you would find at your conventional eyewear store.

What we Look for In Sustainable Prescription Eyewear

Materials are always something we gravitate towards first. We love seeing brands use recycled materials instead of virgin - if possible. Until a handful of years ago, it was almost impossible to find glasses made from recycled plastic. Not anymore! Several brands below use plastic from discarded water bottles to create their frames. We also like to see brands that produce here in the States or have recycling programs for when you no longer can wear your glasses. Each brand we added below has a few sustainable initiatives we highlighted that we love!

our top picks for eco-friendly, sustainable eyeglasses:

1) MITA

Price | $139+

MITA starts with five water bottles and transforms them into a pair of wearable, high-quality, lightweight, and super cute eyewear. Their cleaning cloths and cases are made from recycled materials, too. In addition, the MITA community works with a few non-profit organizations to help clean up and protect our oceans and waterways. MITA carries prescription eyeglasses and blue light-blocking recycled glasses as well. I loved their virtual try-on feature—it really helped me choose which one to get!

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2) Proof Eyewear

Price | $65-180

A beautiful wooden eyewear company, Proof Eyewear is based out of Boise, Idaho, and was started by 3 brothers.

Besides making high-quality wooden frame eyeglasses, Proof Eyewear has made a point to give back. With your help, they have donated over 1,200 pairs of glasses, planted 200 trees, given almost 6,00 health & vision screenings, and 240 cataract surgeries - plus so much more! You can also send back your old frames with their recycling program.

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3) Look Optic

Price | $68-92

Merging featherweight, fashion-forward design with 100% recycled materials, LOOK OPTIC's collection of sustainable eyewear offers an eco-friendly alternative to traditional disposable readers & blue-light glasses.

Actively giving back to promote a more sustainable feature, the brand partners with Lion's Club to help upcycle and redistribute old frames and TerraCycle to assist in repurposing hard-to-recycle elements (frames, lenses, and hinges), transforming old frames into running tracks, playgrounds, & more.

Each purchase donates to Charity: Water to provide clean water for all (as insufficient access to clean water is the world's leading cause of blindness), and as part of their Zero-Waste Donation Initiative, LOOKOPTIC allows customers to donate or recycle any old frames and receive 25% off their next purchase. 

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4) Article One

Price | $255-285

Based in Flint, Michigan, Article One frames are handmade in a small village in Northern Italy.

They work with a family-owned factory that is an expert at creating glasses.

Their quality is meant to take you through life because they do not believe in a throwaway culture.

With over 30 frames to choose from, I know you will find a style that is fit for you.

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5) SeaClean

by glassesusa

Price | $98

Frames from SeaClean by GlassesUSA are made entirely from up-cycled plastic bottles. It only takes five bottles to create a pair of glasses.

Plus, for every SeaClean pair sold, they will donate $5 to The Ocean Cleanup to help them in their efforts towards a plastic-free ocean by 2050. They are also quite affordable and priced at under $100. There are only two frame styles at the moment, but I’m sure we will see more in the future.

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6) Secondhand Frames

You can find many used frames if you love to thrift or search on Etsy & eBay.

All you have to do is change it with your prescription, and there you go!

This may be one of the most affordable ways of finding a pair of glasses.

We always encourage using products that have already been made if you cannot support a brand working towards a more sustainable fashion industry.

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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.

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related reading you may also enjoy:

Image: Girlfriend

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliated; we may earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. We only ever add brands & products we truly believe in. Thank you for supporting the brands who are making the fashion industry a better place!

The Best Sustainable Leggings

Whether you wear them out of necessity or enjoy styling outfits around them, leggings have become an essential staple in many of our wardrobes. These form-fitting bottoms are often debated in regard to their place in the fashion world or whether they’re appropriate to be worn on their own. But regardless of your stance on leggings, they’ve become a foundational item that can be used as a base layer, for exercising or just to chill out in. 

The history of leggings dates back to 14th century Scotland when they were originally worn by men for both casual and military dress. They came in two pieces, one for each leg, and were secured at the waist, and at this time they would have been made from leather or chainmail. Up until the 19th century it was only men who wore these two-piece leggings. Fast forward to the 1950s and ’60s and leggings were now being created for fashion rather than just underwear, and experimentation with new materials brought about the lycra leggings in 1959. 

In the 60s, leggings were being worn by women for exercising and to form outfits, often styled with miniskirts, platform heels, or shift dresses. Through the 70s, 80s and 90s leggings have kept up with the changing fashion, adapting to the shifts in the popular silhouettes, materials and fabrics used throughout each decade.

Increasingly we have seen workout leggings being designed to take us ‘from the gym to coffee dates’ and, post-pandemic, it’s possible that the comfy, easy to wear nature of leggings have made them the go-to choice of bottoms as ‘comfort dressing’ takes the reins for 2022 and beyond. Fashion Psychologist, Shakaila Forbes-Bell, says “The need to not only be physically comfortable but psychologically comfortable in what we wear will likely remain as people have come to realize that clothing can be used as a tool to aid cognitive processing and general wellbeing.”

With the rise of the athleisure wear trend showing no signs of slowing down, leggings seem to have secured a place in the fashion world’s heart for good.

What can make your leggings unsustainable?

As leggings grew in popularity from the 60s onwards, so did the demand for clothing overall. Globally, we now consume about 80 billion new pieces of clothing every year, approximately 400% more than the amount we consumed just two decades ago. As clothing has increasingly been made from poorer quality materials and at a much faster pace, these products are not lasting as long as they used to, and underwear and ‘basics’ are a large part of that problem. We are now discarding clothes at a shocking pace. The average American now generates 82 pounds of textile waste each year. That adds up to more than 11 million tons of textile waste from the U.S. alone.

Leggings are often one of the items of clothing consumers dispose of more frequently. Whether it’s due to ripped seams, fading of the material, or loss of stretchiness, leggings can lose their luster fairly quickly. Without easy access to local recycling schemes, many consumers choose to throw their old leggings directly in the trash, which is then sent to landfill or incinerated. 

The most commonly used materials for leggings are polyester, nylon, spandex, and non-organic cotton. For leather leggings, cow’s leather or faux leather is used, often with a synthetic lining. With the exception of cotton, all these materials can take anywhere from 40-200 years to decompose in landfills. As they decompose, these materials release toxic chemicals into the ground polluting the waterways and greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. 

What eco-friendly fabrics should you look for in leggings?

One way to make sure the leggings you buy are more sustainable is to look for certain materials that are more sustainably produced than the ones mentioned previously. For a material to be classed as ‘sustainable’ (or at least more sustainable), it can depend on a number of different factors. For example, if a material can be produced using much less water or energy, or if it is made using no toxic chemicals. 

Generally speaking, natural organic fibers and recycled materials are the more sustainable choices when selecting leggings. Natural fibers often found in sustainable leggings can include organic cotton, bamboo (including bamboo rayon or bamboo viscose), and Tencel. The recycled materials used for leggings can be recycled nylon, polyester, rayon, or spandex. You may also see recycled elastane featured in some leggings; this is the material that gives leggings their stretch. 

If you choose leggings made with recycled synthetic fibers, just be aware that these do still shed microplastics, so best to wash them using a Guppyfriend or Cora Ball to catch the fibers. You can read more on how to reduce microplastics in your laundry here. 

Now, our top picks for comfy, sustainable leggings:

1) Purefit Legging

Price: on sale $23

Sizes: XS-XXL

Materials: organic cotton, elastane

The Purefit leggings from Pact are made with no toxic chemicals and organic cotton, resulting in soft, breathable fabric that’s not too thin.

They come in black, charcoal, dark red & a print and offer all-day comfort – what else could you need! Pact clothing is made in a GOTS certified and Fair Trade factory based in India.

code: SustainablyChic for 15% off

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2) Compressive High-Rise Legging

Price: $78

Sizes: XXS-6XL

Materials: RPET (recycled Polyethylene terephthalate), spandex

Girlfriend Collective claims this is the legging that started it all for them. The highly popular Compressive High-Rise leggings have gained massive popularity due to their inclusive size range and unrivaled compression fabric that makes you feel incredibly well-supported during any physical activity. Made with recycled plastic bottles and available in ten colorways, these are essential for any athleisure-obsessed woman!

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use code SUSTAINABLYCHIC for 10% off

3) American Dream Leggings

Price: $89

Sizes: S - XXL

Material: REPREVE® Recycled Polyester, Spandex

RECOSIVITY’s buttery soft leggings are made from the number one recycled, certified, and traceable performance fiber, and they plant a tree for every order. In addition, all products are made in the USA, meaning they are one of the first activewear brands to combat the planet-killing CO2 emissions from overseas manufacturing. They also use innovations that reduce the amount of water and energy used in the dyeing process, and their sustainability promise extends to their packaging, which is 100% recycled and recyclable.

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4) Organic Stretch Legging

Price: $68

Sizes: XS-3X

Materials: organic cotton, spandex

The Organic Stretch legging by Mate the Label is made with organic cotton and designed for low to medium impact exercise.

They also break down the cost-per-wear of the leggings, for example, if you wore them once a week over a year the cost-per-wear would be only $1.36!

Available in nine gorgeous colourways, these leggings were made to be seen.

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5) Essential Bamboo Organic Cotton Thick Leggings

Price: $44

Sizes: 6-20

Materials: bamboo viscose, organic cotton, elastane jersey

Perfect for styling with dresses or skirts in fall and early spring, the Essential leggings from Thought are made with super soft bamboo and organic cotton jersey, creating a natural and breathable fabric. Designed for lounging at home or doing light exercise (such as yoga) these leggings are the perfect balance of comfort and style.

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6) Active High-Waisted Leggings

Price: $82

Sizes: XS-XL

Materials: bamboo viscose, organic cotton

Leggings with pockets have to be one of the best inventions of our time, surely? These high-waisted leggings from Boody feature three pockets, a wide waistband, and curved panel shaping on the side leg. Boody claims that 272.1 liters of water are saved with these leggings as organically grown bamboo uses 66% less water compared to conventional cotton. Available in olive, black, and grey marl, these leggings are the perfect addition to any wardrobe!

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7) Active Leggings

Price: $90

Sizes: XS-XXL

Materials: recycled nylon, elastane

The Active leggings by Organic Basics are made with sweat-wicking, stretchy recycled nylon that helps you stay fresh, meaning less need to add them to the laundry pile! Pick from black, dusty rose, dusty blue, olive, or burgundy for the perfect minimalist leggings. May they even be enough to motivate you to get to that exercise class you’ve been putting off?

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8) The Dressy Legging

Price: $152

Sizes: XS-XXL

Materials: bamboo rayon, lycra

Another one with pockets! The Dressy leggings from Encircled are a great pair for any smart-casual look, perfect to pair with a white tee and denim jacket. With two side pockets big enough for your phone or passport, these would be great if you’re out running errands and don’t want to bring a bag. Made with bamboo rayon and sewn, knit and dyed in Toronto, Canada, these leggings are ticking all the sustainability boxes for us!

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9) Rita Pocket Legging

Price: $78

Sizes: XS-XXL

Materials: recycled polyester, spandex 

The Rita Pocket legging from Threads4Thought is a carbon-neutral product as it has offset the carbon emissions throughout the production process, from raw material extraction to shipping.

Made with recycled polyester to create a double-brushed performance fabric, the leggings feature body-hugging compression that gives you the perfect amount of support. Choose from 12 different colors!

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10) Pax Leggings | Vege-Dye

Price: $88

Sizes: XS-4XL

Materials: organic cotton, spandex, vegetable dye

For those of you who like to stand out from the crowd, the Pax leggings by Groceries Apparel may be just what you’re looking for. Designed with a wide waistband that ends just above your natural waistline, these leggings will support you and flatter all the right curves. The GOTS certified organic cotton has been hand-dipped with vegetable dyes that use non-toxic ingredients like weld flowers and natural indigo.

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11) Bamboo Enduro Leggings

Price: $68

Sizes: 8-18

Materials: bamboo viscose, organic cotton, elastane

The Enduro leggings are a BAM icon, claiming that the fabric sculpts to your bum and legs and remains opaque through deep squats and downward dogs – one less thing to worry about!

Available in a wide range of colours and funky prints, the Enduro leggings can definitely bring an element of fun to your ‘basics’ wardrobe.

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12) Organic Cotton Base Layer Leggings

Price: $29

Sizes: S-XXL

Materials: organic cotton, spandex 

Maggie’s Organics has created the perfect Base Layer leggings, made with supersoft and stretchy organic cotton fabric designed to move with you. Maggie’s Organics products are made by union workers in their factory in India and they believe in real Fair Trade, from farm to finish. Choose from black or grey and enjoy easy layering and comfy hangouts.

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About the Author

Sarah is a freelance writer with a focus on vegan fashion, sustainability and ethically made clothes. She campaigns for change in the fashion industry through her blog and on her Instagram page.

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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.

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RELATED READING YOU MAY ALSO ENJOY:

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image: Whimsy & Row

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliated; we may earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. This post is also sponsored in part by Eleven44. We only ever add brands & products we truly believe in. Thank you for supporting the brands who are making the fashion industry a better place!

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.

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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! 

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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+

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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?!

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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. 

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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. 

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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. 

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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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Get More Wear Out of the Clothes You Already own

When coming in contact with slow fashion for the first time, many people fall for the misconception that one must throw everything away and start building a new, sustainable wardrobe from scratch. 

On the contrary, though, slow fashion and a throw-away mindset are deeply antithetic. According to the EPA, textile waste makes up 5.83 percent of the total MSW (Municipal Solid Waste) generated yearly. So it's better for the planet and those on it if we wear our clothes for a long time. 

Regardless of the size of your wardrobe and the sustainability score of the clothes in it, finding ways to get more wear out of your pieces can be challenging. After all, we see our clothes every day, which may dull the spark. Not to mention the time constraints that may get in the way of our creativity. Yet getting creative with the clothes you already own is a fantastic, budget-friendly way of waving sustainability into your everyday life. Bonus points: it can help avoid that dreaded moment when you say "I don't have anything to wear" right in front of your closet. 

To help you out in this pursuit, we have selected some helpful tips to get more wear out of a piece. 

Keep things interesting by wearing the same piece in different ways 

So many items can be worn in many, sometimes unexpected ways. A button-up shirt can make for a simple, breezy summer jacket, and your one-piece swimsuit can also be worn as a top. 

You can wear your favorite summer tops and camisole dresses year-round if you wear them with a turtleneck underneath, and the number of ways you can tie up your scarves to wear them as tops is infinite. Taking this approach to clothing will help you think outside the box and create unique outfits and combos. 

Wearing the same piece in different ways is also a fantastic way of experimenting with the clothes you already have. It also helps you use seasonal garments for longer, and it shows you ways to give a second chance to the pieces you don't wear much but don't feel like parting from yet. 

 Play with colors to create new outfits

A fun and creative way to get the most out of your wardrobe is to use colors as inspiration to create new outfits. To do this, you check the color of the piece you want to get more wear out of and find out which other clothes you can pair it with.  

With this creative and budget-friendly method, you can sustainably get out of your comfort zone and explore your personal style. You can experiment with monochrome outfits in your favorite colors, bold and unexpected color palettes, and mixing different textures while giving all of your clothes a chance to be in the spotlight.    

Create a capsule wardrobe that includes the piece you want to get more wear out of  

Creating a capsule wardrobe is all about selecting functional attire that works for your lifestyle and makes you feel fabulous. Creating one that includes only the pieces already in your closet makes the process simpler, affordable, and sustainable.  

To spice things up, you can even choose a fun theme for your capsule wardrobe, such as "Dopamine Dressing" or "Y2K," to spice things up. You can change the theme whenever you feel inclined to keep on having fun while wearing the clothes from your capsule wardrobe. It's the perfect way to get a lot of wear out of your clothes while also having fun with fashion. 

Keep a little notebook handy for whenever inspiration strikes

Fashion inspiration can come from all sorts of sources: movies, artworks, magazines, social media, and even the fashionable people you encounter while going out and about. Looking for fashion inspiration can help you figure out your personal style and fall back in love with the clothes you already have.  

Having a place to save or write down what inspires you will make sure that you won't miss out on a chance to experiment with fashion sustainably. If you are not one for pen and paper, you can create a collection on Instagram, a Pinterest board, or a page on Notion.  

The key here is to use what you already have in your closet to recreate the look and aesthetic of what inspires you instead of buying new items. The number of clothes and accessories you already own that match the vibe of what you are getting inspiration from at the moment may positively surprise you. Pair them with the item you want to get more wear out of for a fun and sustainable look. 

It's easier to get more wear out of a piece by treating it right

Being mindful about what you choose to purchase is essential when trying to live sustainably and build a wardrobe made of only clothes you will honestly want to wear for a long time. Whether or not that was your approach when you bought that item, the way you treat it makes a tremendous difference in its longevity and long-term wearability. 

Not to mention that creating clothes takes a lot of time, labor, and skills, and taking care of them is a way of honoring all that went into making them.  

So as a general rule, try to avoid over-washing your clothes, follow the cleaning instructions you find on the tag as meticulously as possible, and repair them when needed. These may seem like simple tips, but over time they'll make a tremulous difference, keeping your clothes looking sharper for longer. The better a piece will look in the long run, the longer you will be able to wear it.  

Harness the power of accessories to make a piece you already own feel new

Let's get something straight: there is no shame in outfit repeating. Having figured out what pieces suit your lifestyle, taste and personality is a great testament to your organizational skills, so kudos to you!

But, if wearing that piece is not so exciting anymore, then playing with the accessories you already own can be a way for you to re-discover that garment instead of buying a new one to switch things up.  

Accessories can completely change the look of any garment: even something as simple as a necklace or a pair of sunglasses can freshen up a once-beloved piece that now feels a bit stale. In addition, adding accessories to your looks can elevate even your simpler pieces, making them more suited to fancier occasions and helping you get more wear out of your plainer clothes. The other way around works too, as sportier and more casual accessories can help you dress down fancier pieces. 

Try easy and creative ways to revamp that piece  

Ask yourself, "When was the last time I wore this?" If the answer to this question is some version of "quite a while ago," then challenge yourself to try new ways of revamping it and styling it. 

If it's a scarf, look for new ways to tie it up or try dyeing it up. If it's an older jacket that needs to be freshened up, add a new pin to it or change the buttons. If it's a neglected pair of trousers, mix belts and chains to give it a new life or try distressing it. 

This little game can be a helpful exercise year-round, but if you live in an area with changing seasons, and a seasonal piece is the one you are trying to get more wear out of, then try to do it mid-season to squeeze as much wear out of it as possible before the weather changes. 

Plus, find inspiration for visible mending and repair here.

Create go-to uniforms for when you're out of ideas

On some days, decision fatigue gets the best of us, and we don't feel like experimenting much with our clothes. However, fashion has the power to make us feel more like ourselves when we are feeling down. With a bit of preparation and planning, you can save yourself time and energy, feel better and get more wear out of your wardrobe all in one go. 

Having a few go-to uniforms for different occasions can help you feel good and put together even on low energy or busy days, but it's also the perfect chance to create new outfits with the pieces you already have. 

Try mixing some of your most beloved and frequently used pieces with newer and less familiar clothes to create your go-to uniforms for work, dates, and nights out. This way, you can ensure that you are getting good use out of your more newly purchased pieces and the oldest ones. 

Conclusion 

Dressing sustainability isn't just about purchasing ethically made and eco-friendly clothes. It's about changing how we see clothes and steering clear of overconsumption. 

Trying to get more wear out of your clothes is a fantastic exercise to get out of the fast fashion mindset, and it's good for the wallet too. After all, nothing is cheaper and more sustainable than using what you already have. 

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About the Author:

Roberta Fabbrocino is a journalist specialized in climate change and sustainability-related topics. Her articles have been published in several international eco-publications. Roberta also works as a content writer for sustainable companies.

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LOOKING FOR 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.

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