The only thing you really need in your wardrobe this season is one of these ethical maxi dresses for summer!
By Chiara Spagnoli Gabardi
I’ll be honest: when I first started seeing longer hemlines a few years ago, I didn’t think the trend for maxi dresses would last. Sure, the frocks were pretty, but come on – summer is a time to tan our legs, right?
But if we follow economic history, it’s not surprising ethical maxi dresses are still a huge ‘thing’. After all, there has been a longstanding tradition that the worse the economic situation, the longer the hemline.
Hemline Ups and Downs
Don’t believe me? Consider this: during the Roaring 20’s, a post WWI boom introduced the ‘flapper dress’. It was just below the knee. And it was absolutely outrageous at the time! Remember: just a generation before this decade, Victorian style gowns were in style. For some conservatives in the 20’s, a flapper dress was basically regarded the same way we’d look at women going out dancing in their underwear today.
But when the Great Depression hit in the 1930’s, hemlines dropped to around the ankle and remained there till the 1940’s. The only reason styles rose at all was due to a lack of fabric. In 1942, textile rationing brought about actual regulations on women’s clothing in both the USA and UK. The UK had their ‘Utility Clothes’ standards, and the USA had Regulation L85. These codes set skirt lengths to 17 inches above the floor – slightly higher than skirts had been before.
As the slowly economy rose after the Second World War, so did skirt hems, until they reached ‘peak shortness’ with the introduction of the miniskirt in the 1960s.
The economic mess and oil crisis of the 1970s meant that longer dresses made a comeback, and since then, hemlines have gone up and down like a yoyo in tune with boom or bust.
Today’s Styles: Maxi and Mini
Today, it’s clear we’re in a state of economic inflation. So, all the cute dresses are long again, and are likely to be so for some time. The upside? At least they’re gorgeous! No wonder they’re a favourite amongst tween girls, teens and grown women alike.
That being said – the mini is also making a comeback. Does that mean better economic times are around the corner? Let’s hope so!
Meantime, here’s our pick of the best sustainable maxi dresses for the season – and beyond.
The Best Ethical Maxi Dresses For 2023
1. AMUR
AMUR – an acronym for “a mindful use of resources” – came onto our radar a few years ago, and is now one of our favourite brands for ethical maxi dresses.
It’s defined by its light, feminine style and delicate prints. Both features can be clearly seen in their new collection, which is packed with some of the best ethical maxi dresses for summer this year. For example?
Check out the lovely floral Lucy dress, below. It’s is made out of recycled polyester and lined with cupro (aka vegan silk). I adore the fittest waist and ruffles!
Best for: High quality, beautiful design that’s loved by A listers
Price: From around $325
Based: USA, ships worldwide
Fabric: Recycled materials
2. Amour Vert
Amour Vert is well known by conscious consumers for its gentle elegance and sustainable philosophy. They offer clothing for every situation and every season, from sweaters and trousers to pyjamas and socks. But what I’m coveting most this summer is their Sarla Ecovero Maxi Dress.
This is a classic must-have for any wardrobe. You could pair this with sandals for day, or heels and jewellery for the evening. I also love that the fabric is comprised of sustainable ECOVERO™ Viscose fabric.
Best for: Definitely one of the best ethical maxi dresses for everyday basic wear
Price: $250
Based: USA, ships worldwide
Fabric: ECOVERO™ Viscose
3. Reformation
This is one of our favourite brands for its sexy, sustainable summer dresses. In fact, it could be argued that this is what the brand is most famous for! Nearly all of its many ethical maxi dresses are made from upcycled deadstock fabric, and most come in a variety of different prints and textures, too.
Take the Kaiden Dress, for example. Comprised of a deadstock lace fabric, this is a seriously romantic ethical maxi dress! It features a slight sweetheart neckline, tie detailing at the straps, and a lace overlay. A bit too romantic for you? Well, it comes in edgier black, as well.
Best for: Summer fetes
Prices: Around $380
Based: USA, ships worldwide
Fabric: Deadstock lace
4. People Tree
People Tree has always been exemplary in the field of sustainable fashion, both for its attention to the environment as much as to fair trade ethics. Its styles are always full of grace and charm, as you can see in the Tyra Dress, below.
We love this pretty, ethical maxi dresses for summer thanks to its simple cut and full skirt. Perfect for twirling! We’re also impressed with the fact that it’s made of 95% organic cotton.
Best for: Wearing pretty much every day; those on a budget
Price: Around $95
Based: UK, ships worldwide
Fabric: Organic cotton, elastane
5. Mara Hoffman
Who says ethical maxi dresses have to have a hippy vibe? This stunning, structured number by vegan and sustainable designer Mara Hoffman is elegant enough for evening fetes, weddings, or wearing to important meetings. Or, you could just wear it to lunch with the girls.
Dress it up with some heeled gold sandals and a clutch, or dress it down with flat sandals and a basket bag.
And the best part? It’s made from super sustainable Tencel and linen!
Best for: Summer power dressing
Price: Around $350
Based: USA, ships worldwide
Fabric: Tencel, linen
6. Olistic
If looking like a Grecian goddess is your vibe, this is one of the best ethical summer dresses for you! Honestly, you won’t even want to take it off, it’s that gorgeous.
There is so much to love about this dress! Its long pleated skirt adds to its feminine aesthetic. The monochrome hue is fresh and summery, even more so against sun-kissed skin. It elegantly hugs the waist, while the short sleeves make it especially cool and comfortable to wear on those tropical summer days.
Best for: Shopping, wearing to cafes…actually this, would be my daily. summer go-to dress! It’s also one of the best ethical maxi dresses for those on a budget.
Price: Around $890
Based: USA, ships worldwide
Fabric: GOTS-certified organic cotton poplin
7. Christy Dawn
The Florentine Dress by Christy Dawn is doubtlessly one of the prettiest ethical maxi dresses for this year! It features an Edwardian-inspired silhouette with a flattering V-neck and empire waistline. Crafted from 100% organic cotton, the cut out lace details are all embroidered and subtly sheer. There are hidden hooks at the shoulder to attach to your bra straps to make it easier to wear, plus pin tucking details, too!
Best for: Achieving a Bridgerton vibe
Price: Around $275
Based: USA, ships worldwide
Fabric: Organic cotton
8. Zimmerman
The vibrant colours. The high collar. The puffed sleeves. Everything about this ethical maxi dress by Zimmerman just screams ‘elegance’ to us! This label’s dresses are made from high-quality, sustainable fabrics including linen, silk, organic cotton and others. This particular Raie Swing frock is made from ramie, also known as ‘vegan silk‘.
Best for: Delicate, feminine style and attention to detail.
Price: Around $1000
Based: USA, ships worldwide
Fabric: Ramie
9. Stella McCartney
Sure, we know this might be out of most people’s price range. But this pearl trompe l’oeil print was too awesome to leave off our list of ethical maxi dresses!
The ‘jewels’ seemingly cascade from the chest of this unique black dress from Stella McCartney. It was made with recycled nylon, preventing waste from reaching incinerators or landfill. We love how it borrows from vintage styles, with its elbow-length sleeves and draped front, too.
Best for: Quirky, fun summer fashion
Price: $1350
Based: USA, ships worldwide
Fabric: Recycled nylon
10. Jaline Resort
We love this brand for how it emulates the chic glam of the 1970’s with its innovative silk prints and fitted, sexy styles.
The label was founded by Jacqueline Lopez, with the dual aims of encouraging consumers to switch to eco-fashion and to empower Mexican artisans, who still carry out traditional crafts on her garments, such as hand-weaving.
We particularly love this beehive print, below. Unique, light and elegant!
Best for: Swanning around posh resorts
Prices: From around $695
Based: Mexico, ships worldwide
Fabric: Silk
11. HØST & VÅR
This mother and daughter owned Norwegian brand demonstrates their loving bond in every garment. The items you can find here, seen below and in the main image, are all cross-seasonal, cross-generational, cruelty-free, and sustainable. That’s thanks to their use of organic cotton, biodegradable cupro and other eco-friendly fabrics.
What’s more: with every purchase made directly from the brand, they donate a portion of the sale to YAM: ‘the Youth Aware of Mental Health Programme,’ to raise awareness and care of mental wellbeing.
The naturally vegan dyed fabrics used by this gorgeous brand provide summery feels with a retro touch.
Perfect for: Hippy chicks; those who love ethical maxi dresses with a splash of colour
Price: Around $295
Based: Norway, ships worldwide
Fabric: Cupro, organic cotton
12. Cossac
Roomy and flowing? Check. Perfectly draped? Check. Fully adjustable? Check. In fact, the gorgeous ethical maxi dresses by British label Cossac check all our boxes!
This ethical brand works exclusively with small factories that ensure employees are working in fair and just conditions and are not being exploited in any way. Cossac also makes every effort to incorporate sustainability into all aspects of their business. Fabrics such as organic cotton, Tencel, cupro and modal are used for each slow-fashion style.
All online store receipts, purchases and delivery details are sent via email to reduce paper waste; all packaging and labelling is kept to an absolute minimum during deliveries; swing-tags and boxes are made from recycled paper and are 100% recyclable.
Best for: Well, let’s just say this is one dress that you will always have in your closet. I mean, can you ever imagine this NOT being in style?
Price: Around $198
Based: UK, ships worldwide
Fabric: Cupro
Which of these ethical maxi dresses do you love most? Let us know in the comments, below!
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I just loved these suggestions! In my case I prefer long dresses, they look better on me.
You seriously overlooked plus size women
Hi Rini! There are at least 5 brands there that cater to plus sized women. Hope that helps.