Sure, we wouldn't want our outdoor sustainable clothing to turn green with jealousy, but we also couldn’t possibly deny having a soft spot for sustainable dresses made in Europe either. From casual strolls in the city to all the times our friends have forced us to join them on a last-minute night out, ethical dresses are quite literally our best sartorial companion.
Fortunately, dress season does not end with the warm weather, so there are several stunning frocks just waiting to be paired with your favorite eco sneakers and vegan black booties.
Of course, by trusting conscious brands that not only reduce the impact on the environment but are also mindful of the people who work to produce the garments, you actively help the fashion industry become a fairer place. But which sustainable dress to pick for your capsule wardrobe? That solely depends on your needs and aesthetic. Some prefer ethically made, 100% linen pieces with styles that vary from figure-hugging to flowy. Other cozy seekers adore eco-friendly knitted staples crafted with wool and organic cotton. Then, we also have the option of smocked bodices, eye-catching prints, and romantic ruffles.
Read on to discover our favorite sustainable dresses Europe has to offer to eco-conscious shoppers like you.
Best Sustainable Dresses In Europe For Every Aesthetic
Gust.
Gust. is a small, sustainable Slovak brand that burst onto the scene in 2020, bringing forth a refreshing collection of high-quality and environmentally friendly clothing and home textiles. With a deep commitment to craftsmanship and sustainability, each product is meticulously handmade in the EU by skilled seamstresses who work under fair and social conditions.
By collaborating directly with independent seamstresses across the country, they proudly support the local seamstress community, fostering long-lasting partnerships built on trust and respect. Every seam and product undergoes meticulous hand-checking to ensure the highest level of craftsmanship and meets stringent quality standards.
Each piece is made to order with a production time of 2-3 weeks, ensuring that your dress is crafted with care. Gust. is where style and eco-consciousness go hand in hand. Handmade with love in Slovakia (EU).
Our favorite? The linen open back dress dusty pink, a minimalist loose maxi dress with a captivating deep back neckline that is a true showstopper. Its simple yet elegant design is guaranteed to turn heads wherever you go, and it's thoughtfully crafted to be worn comfortably without a bra. Made from 100% organic linen fabric, the trapezoidal cut and loose fit offer both style and comfort. With its ankle-length and round neckline, this dress exudes effortless charm. The 100% cotton straps add an extra touch of quality and durability.
Price: €169
Best for: mid & mini, chic, linen.
Girl On Your Mind
The Girl On Your Mind 100% linen mini dress is practically an ode to sustainable minimalism and our favorite garment.
This little black dress is nipped and tucked in all of the right places to guarantee the most flattering fit and accentuate your beautiful curves. The silhouette is further enhanced with a sultry low-neckline, fitted waist, unique sleeves, and rounded tulip-like skirt that can be worn from day to night with ease.
If black isn’t your color, you can always opt for rust, mustard, or chive. Based in Durban, South Africa, Girl On Your Mind design and locally produce small runs of timeless and versatile garments that transcend season and trend. They not only source fabric responsibly and employ local artisans to manufacture the designs, but also use efficient design and innovation to eliminate wastage.
Price: €50 - €100
Best for: mid & mini, chic, linen.
Artknit Studios
Clean lines, minimalist silhouettes, and classic designs will be in your arsenal for years to come. Artknit Studios’ wide range of sustainable dresses runs the gamut from woolen oversize dresses in cream and black to midi merino wool evening dresses with no sleeves and a slew of linen and cotton long and short dresses for work or leisure. Their fabrics are easy to recycle and 100% biodegradable with no microplastic release. The made-in-Italy brand monitors their impact in a transparent way and by developing a just-in-time production to avoid inventory waste.
Need yet another excuse to opt for their ethical dress? The Repair Program aims to make your Artknit’s pieces look as good as new, in order to reduce waste and extend your knits’ lifecycle.
Price: From 189€
Best for: turtle neck, winter dresses, classic, professional.
Meyme
If you are on the hunt for the best sustainable dresses in Europe that are anything but boring, Meyme is the brand for you. Whimsical, soft, romantic, and dopamine-inducing, each style has a trend-driven edge while being classic. Think gorgeous minis with long puffed sleeves, soft, light, comfortable, boho-inspired ethical dresses, and styled adorned with romantic ruffles and waist ties that hug the body perfectly. The eco-friendly materials? Cotton, linen, and viscose.
What’s more, the brand designs and manufactures everything in local workshops in Alicante (Spain). So rest assured that your new sustainable dress made in Europe will be ethically crafted, eco-friendly, and extremely stylish.
Price: From 65,95 €
Best for: mini, cocktail.