I don’t know about you, but when I get dressed up in the summer heat, comfort is my top priority! Whether I’m running around with Bear going out for a meal (when we can) or doing press interviews – is it so much for a Mama to want to look fabulous and feel comfy at the same time? I’ve found a bunch of amazing eco brands that I wanted to share with you – slow fashion companies that are sustainable, affordable, and kind – moving away from fast fashion and massive retailers.
The Slow Fashion Movement is about better quality pieces and moving away from fast fashion which is polluting the earth. Microfiber pollution is a huge issue for our water system, as well as our bodies.
It feels good to invest in fewer things I’ll wear over and over again that are thoughtfully made, with organic materials. Fast fashion is an insanely large climate polluter, and typically the items purchased don’t have as long of a lifespan because they are cheaply made, often use unethical child labor or poor working conditions, and non-organic materials. Your skin absorbs everything you put on it – including the chemicals in your clothing! Wearing organic materials is also better for the soil, water, and air, which means less chemicals overall being released into the environment.
If I’m not purchasing from eco companies, I’m buying used from places like The RealReal, and other secondhand consignment retailers. This is not only thoughtful because it’s eliminating clothing waste, it’s giving new life to things that I probably would have never purchased before! It’s also really fun to shop this way, and a creative way to find unique treasures.
I know it’s a little late in the game to be sharing my summer dress round up as we head towards labor day, but all these dresses are perfect for those September and October with a long sweater and boots! These are dresses that can go from season to season, effortlessly! Plus, it’s still boiling hot in my part of the country, and in many others too.
The first dress I wear on repeat is this orange maxi dress from People Tree UK! I just love it!! It’s made of 95% organic cotton, and 5% elastane for a little stretch – and it’s super flattering. People Tree is an ethical company based in the UK. All their fabrics are certified by the Global Organic Textile Standard via Soil Association. They are impressively fair trade, use good working conditions, complete company transparency, and are always looking for the best environmental practices, as well as towards gender equality and fair wages.
Shop it here:
Morgan Blossom Print Maxi Dress, $96 @peopletree.co.uk
Keeping in the marigold theme – I also really love this yellow linen wrap dress from Whimsy + Row! It’s the perfect easy, summer dress to throw on with sandals. It’s dyed with low impact dye using recycled water. The marigold is such a cute, fun, and bright color for the season. Whimsy + Row is made in LA, and uses sustainable, dead-stock materials.
Shop it here:
Perri Dress in Topaz Linen, $148 @whimsyandrow.com
P.S.- use code Alicia20 for 20% off anything till Sept 30th!
This blue plaid dress from Dolan is flattering, whimsical, and chic. Dolan, as a company, is doing a lot of good in the world. Their social mission based nonprofit – The Laundry Truck LA– provides laundry services for unhoused families and people in downtown Los Angeles. A portion of all proceeds from purchases, as well as donations, go to help this effort. They are really thoughtful and come from a slow fashion and ethical mindset. They are continuously improving their practices and are currently accelerating movement into incorporating recycled fibers into their entire apparel line. They are also producing more items with antibacterial technology to encourage customers to wash their clothing less – and save water. The recycled viscose fabric used in my blue dress is 100% biodegradable. If you follow my Instagram, I’m sure you’ve seen me wear this blue dress a few times. It got me through my virtual press tour, and I wore it for a virtual photo shoot (see below!) Styling tip: It looks extra cute with a brown belt and brown boots.
Shop it here:
Dolan Althea Tiered Maxi Dress, $144 @shopdolan.com
I naturally stay really busy, and I’m really happy when I can just throw on a dress and be out the door in no time, which is why I’ve been living in slip dresses. This dress from Neu Nomads does just the trick – comfy, sustainable fibers, and a really cute and easy fit! I love Neu Nomads- they source all their fabrics from sustainable (and renewable!) natural resources. They use non toxic, OEKO certified and AZO free dyes! They are also a believer in fair wages for their staff. Styling tip: Wear it with a black belt and a cute heeled sandal or dress it down with vegan birkenstocks,
Shop it here:
Easy Slip Dress, $125 @neunomads.com
P.S. Neu Nomads is giving away a gift card to one Kind Life follower- see the bottom of this post for details!
I actually got this next featured dress last summer, but I’ve been wearing it nonstop and it deserves another mention! Vesta Studio makes really pretty dresses for all body types. The owner, Kendall, is really smart and knows how to make everything have the perfect fit! I have this dress in two colors – black, and cream- and absolutely love them. I wore them on vacation last summer, and they were perfect. She uses sustainable fabrics, and everything is made to order- to eliminate waste! Her designs are even PETA approved, and uses compostable packaging.
Shop it here:
Lotus Dress in Striped Hemp, $155 @shopvesta.com
I also found two delightful dresses from Sur La Cote, an LA based sustainable brand. They use sustainable practices, and source their fabrics from renewable natural resources (like wood!) They’re also 100% plastic free.
Shop it here:
My two favorites are:
Riviera Maxi Sleeveless Dress, $128 @shopsurlacote.com
I love this dress – it’s so sexy and easy! It works beautifully with a nude sandal.
and
Riviera Maxi Dress, $128 @shopsurlacote.com
This one is adorable with white vegan sneakers or sandals!
It warms my heart to see how companies are really starting to take initiative and move towards a zero-waste philosophy. Oh Seven Days is a lovely Australian company that is doing this really well! They use dead-stock/unused fabrics, and make everything to order- so there is no waste! The clothing industry is the #2 polluter, (besides oil at #1) in the world!! This really beautiful dress from their cotton dead-stock fabric is really comfortable, even though it looks dressed up.
Shop it here:
Bloom Dress, $180 @ohsevendays.com
I have posted about Mate The Label before on Instagram. They make a ton of amazing organic cotton basics. I covet their sweatshirts, joggers, and tees – but this dress is one of my favorites! It Looks great with my vegan Veja sneakers, or with sandals or even a little heel. It’s made of 100% organic cotton thermal. It is both cozy and fabulous! Mine is black, but it comes in two other great colors, like the pink shown below.
Shop it here:
Layla Thermal Dress, $128 @matethelabel.com
P.S. use code Alicia20 for 20% off
Last, but not least, is Mara Hoffman. This cheerful dress is super chic, and far nicer than the photo suggests. I wore it a ton for press for Bad Therapy, a movie I did. They have an impressive code of ethics, sustainability, and organic certifications. Head to their website to read more about the amazing things this company is doing. Styling tip: Choose a funky vintage earring with this dress, or keep it casual with cool sandals.
Shop it here:
Sophie Dress, $165 @marahoffman.com
Enjoy the last remnants of summer, this crazy never-ending heat, and some happy-making, kind retail therapy!
xo,
Alicia
Giveaway! Giveaway! Giveaway!
Neu Nomads has offered to give away a gift card to one reader of The Kind Life! Simply follow their Instagram (@neunomads) and tell me a sustainable practice you’re using in your daily life in the comments section below. We’ll pick a winner and send you the gift card! ($100 value, not redeemable for cash – and no other promotions apply)
Main image by Kristin Burns
DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission.
