9 Best Sustainable Summer Dresses to Brighten Up Your Wardrobe

One of the best things about the hottest months? Sliding into a beautiful summer dress (twirling optional, but highly recommended).

The problem, though, is that fast fashion keeps tempting consumers with all kinds of throwaway options and ever-changing trends, especially ahead of the holidays. 

To give you an idea, 50 million summer outfits are only worn once before being discarded… and that’s in the UK alone.

And as well as fuelling overconsumption and waste, those low-quality sundresses are often made in sweatshops using the worst fabrics for the environment, like polyester or conventionally grown cotton.

Instead, I’ll help you look for the right sustainable summer dress for your style and preferences, so that you’ll happily rewear it for more than one season.

What to keep in mind when looking for a sustainable summer dress

• Prioritise natural fabrics – Unlike synthetic options (which can become extremely hot on your skin), natural fabrics are more breathable. However, “natural” doesn’t automatically mean “sustainable”. So, consider looking for an ethical summer dress made with 100% recycled or organic cotton (rather than traditional cotton, which is full of pesticides and terrible for the environment), linen, bamboo, or hemp 
• Buy less but better (and keep it for longer) – Overconsumption is never sustainable. So, the solution is not to replace fast fashion hauls with the same number of summer dresses made with more eco-friendly fabrics (and by the way, being more mindful and rewearing your clothes can also save you money in the long run)
• Start from your style, and think beyond this summer – Rewearing a garment for just 9 more months reduces your environmental footprint by 20%. But another problem with trends? When you pick something just because it’s popular, you get tired of it quickly. Instead, choose sustainable summer dresses that go with your unique style and preferences: something timeless that makes you feel like your best self whenever you slide into it
• Keep your existing wardrobe in mind, too – The same summer dress can be turned into a completely different outfit when you style it or add layers and accessories (for example, in the evening, when the weather is less hot, or even during other months of the year, as part of a seasonless wardrobe). So, when picking a new one, think of what would go well with what you already own. A digital wardrobe app like Whering will unlock pairings you’d never think of

Best types of sustainable summer dresses for your wardrobe: guide and inspiration

To get the most out of my simple sustainable summer dress guide, keep in mind that:

• The same summer dress can fall within two (or more) categories – For example, it might be a maxi dress because of its length but also a wrap dress because of its style. So, prioritise what’s missing from your wardrobe and what matters the most to you
• There are other types of summer dresses, too – Of course, there are! But I didn’t want to overwhelm you, so I thought these categories could be a good starting point
• Use the images as inspiration – I included pictures and links to ethical summer dresses that match each description. However, while we try our best to update them, some products might be unavailable when you get to this article. But fret not: when you click on the heading/type of dress, you’ll find many more

Ready? 

Summer mini dress

A mini dress is perfect for the hottest summer days and evenings. 

It’s also easy to dress up and down (including during other seasons) by adding accessories or layers like blazers, denim jackets, or tights.

Summer midi dress

Halfway between mini and maxi options (usually mid calf), a summer midi dress is a versatile piece you’ll probably get to wear in spring, too.

Summer maxi dress

A summer maxi dress will still keep you cool, especially if you choose a breathable fabric, but it’s also a safer option when it gets a bit breezy or chilly. 

Sustainable sundress

Wondering what exactly is a sundress?

It’s simply a casual, lightweight dress that’s perfect for summer, and it usually involves a loose fit, thin shoulder straps, and a broad neckline.

Since not every sundress is listed by brands with that keyword, you can find many more by looking for those features in our summer dress category.

Wrap dress for summer 

Ranging from mini to maxi designs, these dresses wrap around the body and tie at your waist.

You might want to pick one if you value comfort, adjustability, and versatility.

T-shirt dress

A great casual option (perfect to go to the beach or for a day in town) but you can also style it in creative ways, like adding layers and belts.

Floral summer dress

There’s something timeless and iconic about floral dresses.

From more subtle to bigger and bolder design, focus on the style and colours that match your preferences. 

(For more options, look for floral dresses in our broader summer dress category)

Print summer dress

Floral patterns aren’t the only print!

You can get creative with zebra or leopard prints, polka dots, paisleys, leaves, and much more.

Consider styling and accessorising your print summer dress with monochrome items.

(For more options, look for your favourite prints in our broader summer dress category)

White summer dress (or other monochrome and block colour options)

There’s something truly beautiful and timeless about white summer dresses, or you could opt for one in your favourite colour, from neutral tones to bright yellow, block colours or pastels.

While monochrome layers and accessories work just as well, these more versatile summer dresses can easily go well with your patterned pieces, too. 

(For more options, look for your favourite colours and styles in our broader summer dress category)

Find more sustainable summer dresses on Project Cece

Now you know exactly what to look for (and what to avoid) to find the right ethical summer dress for your style.

As for where: we brought hundreds of fair trade brands in one place right here on Project Cece, with filters to simplify your choice—from Price to Material and Colour. 

Finding the perfect sustainable summer dress is now a breeze (pun intended).