Happy May, everyone! It's time to pack up our spring closets and bring out the summer wardrobe! We’re talking tank tops, skirts, and dresses! So, to help you say goodbye to chilly weather and hello to beach trips and sunshine, here are eleven eco-friendly, affordable, and vegan dresses brands to line your closet with!

Are All Vegan Materials Sustainable?

If you are switching to vegan dresses to save the planet, we have good news and bad news. The good news is, many vegan materials are much more eco-friendly than animal materials like leather, wool, or fur. The bad news is, in the fashion industry, 'vegan' may simply mean 'polyester'. Polyester is made of plastic, and usually takes hundreds of years to decompose, all the while releasing tons of carbon emissions into our atmosphere!

That said, bio-based textiles are likely the most sustainable materials currently used in the fashion industry. So, keep reading to learn more about them, and improve your environmental impact!

Eco-Certifications To Look For

If you are new to our eco-friendly fashion series, you’ll want to check out our article on eco-friendly certifications. There you will find our list of certifications specific to the fashion industry, which will help you navigate the eco-friendly world. However, here are a few of the main ones to keep an eye out for!

Ecocert

Focused on sustainable product development, Ecocert ensures you that your garment was produced organically, and in accordance with their strict environmental and social requirements.

GOTS Certified

Also known as the 'Global Organic Textile Standard', GOTS certification ensures that textiles were made with 100% organic raw materials, then manufactured in a socially and environmentally responsible manner. This is one of the more common certifications you'll find in the eco-friendly fashion industry.

Oeko-Tex Standard 100

When a product features this certification, it means it's totally free of harmful levels of substances that can be hazardous to your health or toxic to our planet. If you see this label on your clothing, you can rest assured that the garment is safer for your skin and better for the environment.

Sustainable Vegan Fabrics To Look For

As mentioned earlier, some vegan fabrics are much more environmentally-friendly than others. Those made from recycled materials like recycled cotton or plastic, or with organic raw materials like cotton, hemp, or wood pulp are naturally free from animal products, and better for our planet. Check out some of the top fabrics to look for below!

Sustainable Faux Leather

Often when you come across a piece labeled 'faux leather' or 'vegan leather', it will mean it was made with PU or another type of plastic. The problem with this material is that it has a large carbon footprint due to its sky-high emissions and its slow decomposition process. So, it's much more beneficial to our planet when we opt for sustainable vegan leathers! In recent years, tons of bio-based options have appeared on the market, like cactus leather, mycelium leather, Piñatex, AppleSkin, and more!

Recycled Materials

At some point, you'll come across clothing made of recycled polyester, cotton, or other materials. This means they've saved these textiles from landfills and turned them into a new piece that will last for a while longer! However, try to make sure that the fabric is also recyclable, so it can live on for years to come. Often, brands that offer clothing made from recycled materials will also have recycling programs so you can send back worn pieces. Keep an eye out for these programs and make use of them when possible!

Vegan Silk

Have you heard of vegan silk? This can mean various different things within the fashion industry. Often, vegan silk is made of TENCEL fibers. However, it may also be made of lotus threads, cotton, and even oranges. Just try to stay away from bamboo silk, which usually requires an intensive chemical process to turn the bamboo plant into a textile.

100% Organic Cotton

When compared to regular cotton, its organic variety releases far less carbon emissions during its production, avoids the use of harmful chemicals, and requires less water. So, this textile is a much more sustainable, non-toxic choice for you and the planet!

Organic Untreated Linen

Fully biodegradable, natural, non-toxic, and even antibacterial, untreated linen is a great textile to go for! Plus, it's cooler than other fabrics but can be layered comfortably for winter. Linen is made from flax plant fibers and requires no chemicals to grow. These factors make organic, non-dyed linen one of the most sustainable fabrics you'll find in the fashion industry today.

TENCEL Modal

Produced for next-level softness, flexibility, durability, and sustainability, TENCEL Modal fibers are made from Beech wood pulp! TENCEL is the name of the Austrian textile company that produces Modal fibers. The same brand produces Lyocell, which you'll read about next.

TENCEL Lyocell

Made with Eucalyptus wood pulp, Lyocell is biodegradable, comfortable, and even stronger than Modal! However, it is just as sustainable, naturally antibacterial, and boasts unique cooling properties and optimized moisture absorption. Both of these TENCEL fabrics are soft and pleasant to the touch, making them excellent options for your eco-friendly wardrobe!

Top Ethical Fashion Brands for Vegan Dresses

Patagonia

Ethos | Fair Trade Certified, Bluesign System.

Materials | Organic Cotton, Recycled Polyester, TENCEL Lyocell.

Price Range | $

For super comfy and lightweight activewear dresses you can take hiking, as a beach cover-up, or wear all spring, Patagonia has you covered! Their flattering dresses are designed to take on all your daily adventures for years to come. Plus, although they already use sustainable and recycled materials, they're constantly on the lookout for better alternatives. Definitely a brand to look out for!

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Tentree

Ethos | Fair Trade Factories, One Tree Planted Partners, Certified B Corporation, Climate Neutral Certified, 10 Trees Planted For Every Order.

Materials | TENCEL Fibers, Linen, Recycled Polyester, Organic Cotton, REPREVE.

Price Range | $

A Climate Neutral Certified, Certified B Corp with affordable prices, you can't miss out on this one. Tentree is on a mission to plant one billion trees by 2030, so they are planting 10 of them for every single order! Feel great about your purchase by supporting this vegan-friendly brand making a real difference for our planet!

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PACT

Ethos | Fair Trade Certified Factory, GOTS-Certified, Natural Dyes.

Materials | Organic Cotton, Natural Fibers.

Price Range | $-$$

Let’s kick things off with Pact. We’ve mentioned PACT before. They offer a lot of basics and focus on offering sustainable, affordable must-haves. This includes their sustainable dresses. Starting as low as $35, these dresses are made with 100% organic cotton in certified fair-trade factories focused on humane quality. Definitely a great place to start your search!

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Tamga Designs

Ethos | Fair Wages, Safe Working Conditions.

Materials | TENCEL, LENZING ECOVERO, and Lenzing Modal Fabrics.

Price Range | $-$$

Tamga's beautiful, body-positive dresses will blow you away! Among their selection, you'll find vibrant, summer-inspired patterns and elegant silhouettes to flatter any body shape, in sizes XS to XXL. You can even shop by price range to ensure affordability! Find your next go-to summer fit with Tamga Designs!

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MONSOON

Ethos | FSC-Certified Packaging, Upcycling, No Animal Testing.

Materials | Organic Cotton, Ethical Luxury Fibers.

Price Range | $-$$

Monsoon is a unique brand that sources ethical fabrics and implements sustainable practices for all of their products. Their sustainable dresses are no exception. Each one is made from lyocell, organic cotton etc. You can be sure you are getting a sustainable garment for all your spring and summer occasions (starting at $26)!

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Thought

Ethos | GOTS Certified, Fairtrade Certified, Natural/Sustainable/Recycled Materials.

Materials | Organic Cotton, Hemp, TENCEL.

Price Range | $-$$

From essential basics to floral and tropical prints, Thought offers vegan-friendly dresses for all styles and a wide range of sizes! With accessible prices and ultra-sustainable, durable fabrics, fashion brands don't get much more ethical than this one!

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Kotn

Ethos | Certified B Corporation, Direct Trade, 10 Schools Built in Egypt, GOTS Certified, OEKO-TEX Certified Dyes.

Materials | GOTS Certified Cotton, Egyptian Cotton, ECOTEC Cotton, TENCEL Lyocell, BCI Cotton, Linen.

Price Range | $-$$

Offering casual, long-lasting essentials that are both comfortable and versatile, this brand's specialty is 100% sustainable cotton. Kotn uses GOTS Certified organic, Egyptian, and BCI cotton, meaning you can't go wrong with their high-quality and vegan-friendly dresses!

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Vetta

Ethos | Fair Trade International Factories, Recycled Materials, FSC Certified Boxes.

Materials | TENCEL, Linen, Organic Cotton, Deadstock Fabric, Supima Cotton, Recycled Polyester, Lenzing Ecovero, Lenzing Modal Ponte.

Price Range | $-$$

With a wide range of sustainable fabrics and versatile pieces, Vetta's collection was designed to help you create the capsule wardrobe of your dreams! They've even put together a variety of pre-made capsules so you can mix and match your pieces to fit your unique style. However, you can also go for their individual dresses, many of which you can style in multiple ways so you'll never get bored of your outfit!

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Summersalt

Ethos | Recycled Materials, Natural Fibers.

Materials | TENCEL Fibers, Cupro, Organic Cotton, Peruvian Pima Cotton.

Price Range | $-$$

Although not an entirely vegan brand, Summersalt offers a huge variety of vegan-friendly dresses made with sustainable and comfortable materials like organic cotton and TENCEL! Take your gorgeous Summersalt dresses to the beach during summer, or layer them for spring and fall. Either way, you're sure to find a vegan dress to fit your style among their vast selection!

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No Nasties

Ethos | 100% Fair Trade Certified Factories, PETA Approved Vegan, GOTS-Certified.

Materials | 100% Organic Cotton.

Price Range | $-$$

'No Nasties' is right! This ethical brand's pieces are made out of 100% organic cotton and designed for all body shapes. And get this -- some of their relaxed dresses even have pockets! Girls need pockets, too! Check out their gorgeous, casual range colored with bold patterns below.

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People Tree

Ethos | Fair Trade Certified, GOTS-Certified.

Materials | Organic cotton, Tencel (Lyocell).

Price Range | $$-$$$

Another brand we’ve featured before is People Tree. People Tree makes a wide range of eco-friendly products. Their sustainable dresses are made from GOTS-certified organic cotton and Tencel. And the bold patterns are great for many occasions! With prices starting at $38, you will want to check out People Tree!

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Mata Traders

Ethos | Fair Trade Factories, Humane Offerings.

Materials | Organic Cotton Fabric.

Price Range | $$-$$$

Mata Traders is a company working to empower women in all societies. They work with several groups and factories in India, creating pieces that reflect Indian tradition! Their ethical dresses are made from predominantly organic cotton and are handmade, printed, and constructed in fair trade factories. For $60, you can own one of these colorful masterpieces and help support fair trade and opportunity!

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Neu Nomads

Ethos | Women-Owned, Attainable Prices, Clean Supply Chain, Fair Wages for Factory Workers, Non-Toxic and Oeko-Tex Certified Dyes, Recycled/Biodegradable Packaging.

Materials | Sustainably-Sourced TENCEL Fabrics, 100% Linen.

Price Range | $$-$$$

Made from TENCEL fibers and organic linen, Neu Nomads' dresses are flattering, comfortable, and ultra-sustainable! They're also made with non-toxic, AZO free dyes and come in recycled & biodegradable packaging. Go for one of these eco-friendly, long-lasting vegan dresses available in sizes XS to XL!

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Reformation

Ethos | 75% of Management Team From Underrepresented Populations, Bluesign Certified Dyeing Facilities, Oeko-Tex Standard 100 Certified Fabrics, Climate Neutral Certified.

Materials | TENCEL Lyocell, Linen, Viscose/Rayon, Organic Cotton.

Price Range | $$-$$$

Although not an entirely vegan brand as they do offer silk garments, Reformation creates plenty of timeless vegan-friendly and sustainable pieces you will love! From linen to Lyocell to organic cotton, their selection of gorgeous eco-friendly dresses is endless. Starting at $105, you can get your hands on a stylish and long-lasting Reformation piece today!

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Amour Vert

Ethos | Oeko-Tex Certified, USA Made, , Natural and Ethical Fibers.

Materials | Organic Cotton.

Price Range | $$$

Amour Vert is an ethical clothing brand for those chic summer days. They offer a wide range of prints, colors, and sizes really embracing inclusivity. Their sustainable dresses (and other products) are made from multiple sustainable materials including organic cotton, Tencel, and many more. If you’re looking for a colorful, eco-friendly option, check out Amour Vert prices start at $118!

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Valani

Ethos | Fair Wages; Donations to Women-Empowerment Programs, Animal Charities, and Environmental Initiatives; One Tree Planted Partners, Organic Cotton Labels, Recycled Boxes/Cards.

Materials | Hemp, TENCEL, and Banana Fabric.

Price Range | $$$

This entirely plant-based brand offers six dresses with beautiful silhouettes to flatter your figure! Made entirely out of either hemp or banana fabric, you can be sure these dresses are kinder to workers, the animals, and our planet. Browse these beautiful designs available in sizes 0-12 today!

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Materials to Avoid In Your Vegan Dresses

In addition to fur, wool, leather, and silk, there are plenty of animal skins and derivatives to avoid in your vegan fashion. Try to also stay away from any sign of pearls, feathers, taffeta, cashmere, chiffon, angora, down, and suede to keep your wardrobe 100% cruelty-free.

Buy Mindfully, Buy Compassionately, Buy Sustainably

These eco-friendly, sustainable, and affordable brands offer a wide variety of dresses to send winter packing! You can rock these all summer knowing you are making a big difference for your closet and the environment! Remember, as consumers we can make a huge impact through every purchase. Buy mindfully, compassionately, and sustainably and make a difference with every dollar.

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