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24 Jun

Our 19 Favourite Sustainable Maxi Dresses

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The elegant maxi dress has come in and out of fashion over the years, and is having another moment in the spotlight thanks to comfier and more modest dressing throughout global lockdowns. Here are our favourite brands making more sustainable maxi dresses you’ll love.

Sustainable maxi dresses for your collection

While hemlines have gone up and down throughout history thanks to trends and economic necessity, the current climate sees a lot of diversity in how long we wear our dresses. But one versatile style that has made a comeback in recent years is the maxi dress, coinciding with the viral Cottagecore aesthetic through lockdown that generally favours a more modest approach to dressing. Easy on its own for a casual vibe or accessorised for more formal occasions, and layerable with a big coat and boots in the colder months, the maxi dress is versatile and flattering on a lot of body types. Ideally it should hit around ankle length, and of course, sustainable maxi dresses are a given.

Whether you prefer a classic maxi dress like the one from LANIUS (Germany), an inclusively-sized boho option from Christy Dawn (US), or a Cherry red skivvy dress from A.BCH (Australia), we’ve got you covered all the way down.

TAMGA Designs

Rated: Good

Layla Maxi Dress – Ships internationally from the US

TAMGA Designs is out to prove how colourful and exciting sustainable fashion can be, serving up gorgeous, flowy designs that will glide you into warmer weather with poise and grace. TAMGA offers a range of tops, skirts, dresses, and accessories made from 100% Micro TENCEL® and LENZING™ ECOVERO™. Effortlessly elegant, the Layla Maxi Dress is inspired by classic vintage gowns that gracefully float with your every step. You can find the full range of this Canadian brand in sizes XS-2XL.

See the rating.

Shop TAMGA Designs.

The R Collective

Rated: Great

Calabash Dress – Ships internationally from Hong Kong

The R Collective’s womenswear collections are made by reusing rescued excess materials from leading luxury brands and reputable manufacturers. The brand uses a high-proportion of eco-friendly materials, which limits the amount of chemicals, water, and wastewater used in production. It also ensures the payment of a living wage in its supply chain, which is why we rated it ‘Great’! This unique maxi dress is inspired by the Kimono and made from upcycled Japanese satin. The garments are offered in two sizes: XS-S and M-L.

See the rating.

Shop The R Collective.

Mila.Vert

Rated: Great

Reversible Maxi Tencel Dress – Ships internationally from Slovenia

Mila.Vert offers timeless, minimal, and chic clothing, adding sophisticated details that give the garments a modern feel. The Slovenia-based brand wants to make desirable clothing, avoiding the ethical and environmental issues that the fashion industry represents. A summer wardrobe essential, this Tencel sustainable maxi dress is reversible so you can switch it up with a V or scoop neckline. Find the garments in sizes XS-XL, or make a custom fit order free of charge!

See the rating.

Shop Mila.Vert.

Underprotection

Rated: Good

Sara Dress – Ships internationally from Denmark

Underprotection is a Danish brand combining ethics and aesthetics, creating underwear, loungewear, and swimwear from sustainable materials like recycled polyester and organic cotton. All of its packaging, paper, and polybags are either recycled or biodegradable, and it only works with certified factories as it believes “fair working conditions and fair wages are human rights”. Underprotection exists to celebrate women of all kinds, and its goal is to make them feel as beautiful and comfortable as possible. Giving us major “Come into my boudoir!” vibes, we love this long and flowy banana fabric maxi. You can find the full range in XS-XL.

See the rating.

Shop Underprotection.

Toad&Co

Rated: Good

Sunkissed Maxi Dress – Ships internationally from the US

Toad&Co is a US brand that creates more socially and environmentally-committed womenswear and menswear that is equally suited for the rigours of the trail or the tavern.

Most items are available in sizes XS-2XL.

See the rating.

Shop Toad&Co.

Shop Toad&Co @ Wearwell.

Elegantees

Rated: Good
someone in yellow miranda dress by Elegantees

Elegantees is a clothing label founded on the mission to support sex trafficking survivors. It It ensures payment of a living wage in most of the final stage of production, uses lower-impact materials including organic cotton, and does not use any animal products.

Find sizes XS-XL.

See the rating.

Shop Elegantees @ Wearwell.

People Tree

Rated: Great

V&A Neha Print Maxi Dress – Ships internationally from the UK

Sustainable fashion pioneer and leader People Tree is a ‘Great’ ethical brand and one of our favourites. The brand uses eco-friendly materials and addresses labour risks by adopting the Fairtrade International – Small Producers Organisations Code of Conduct. This eye-catching paisley print sustainable maxi dress pairs perfectly with sneakers. Find most products in UK sizes 6 to 18.

See the rating.

Shop People Tree UK.

Shop People Tree EU.

Mara Hoffman

Rated: Good

Diana Tencel Dress – Ships internationally from the US

With a focus on mindful and conscious practices, Mara Hoffman uses eco-friendly materials including GOTS certified cotton, recycled nylon, and recycled polyester, and even has a range of Oeko-Tex STeP certified products. This floral button up number is made from Tencel, and for any occasion. Items come in sizes XS to 3XL, and the brand also has a gorgeous extended sizes collection, so you can be sure to find a new wardrobe addition no matter the bod you rock!

See the rating.

Shop Mara Hoffman @ Farfetch.

Shop Mara Hoffman Pre-Owned @ Vestiaire Collective.

Shop Mara Hoffman.

Organique

Rated: Good
Someone modelling a black maxi shirt dress by Organique.

Maxi Shirt Dress – Ships internationally from Portugal

Organique is a Portuguese athleisure brand made for the contemporary woman. Love a shirt dress but sick of only finding them in short lengths? Organique’s elegant maxi shirt dress has a long-line silhouette featuring a centre split. With the ability to be worn as a shirt, dress, or jacket, it’s a capsule or versatile wardrobe essential. Find the range in sizes S-L.

See the rating.

Shop Organique.

Christy Dawn

Rated: Great

The Basil Dress Extended – Ships internationally from the US

Christy Dawn is a minimalist showroom for vintage-inspired women’s clothing and footwear, locally made with surplus fabric. The US brand rates ‘Great’, making it a fabulous boho option for your wardrobe. House On The Prairie never looked so good! This entire outfit is simply stunning, with the main feature of course being one of the sustainable maxi dresses of our dreams in the Basil Dress Extended. Find the clothes in standard sizes XS-XL, or shop the Extended and Petite collections.

See the rating.

Shop Christy Dawn.

Beaumont Organic

Rated: Good

Priya Linen Dress – Ships internationally from the UK

Beaumont Organic is a UK-based slow fashion brand that blends simple style with ethical production practices. Founded by Hannah Beaumont-Laurencia, the brand also has its own charitable foundation which supports people in Fiji. We love a bit of linen, and this clay sustainable maxi dress is no exception! Find the range in sizes XS-L.

See the rating.

Shop Beaumont Organic.

BASTET NOIR

Rated: Good
close up of a woman wearing a teal maxi dress by bastet noir

Cher Dress – Ships internationally from Macedonia

BASTET NOIR offers custom-made clothing manufactured by women in Macedonia, ensuring that every purchase contributes to the welfare and education of these women and their children.

Find most items in sizes 36-42, or in custom sizing.

See the rating.

Shop BASTET NOIR.

Afends

Rated: Good

Highland Hemp Check Maxi Dress – Ships internationally from Australia

Afends is an Australia-based fashion brand leading the way in organic hemp fashion, using renewable energy in its supply chain to reduce its climate impact. This hemp check sustainable maxi dress will carry you through the seasons with ease, worn as-is in warmer weather or layered over a long sleeve top when it’s cold out. You can find the full range in sizes XS-XL.

See the rating.

Shop Afends.

LANIUS

Rated: Good

Maxi Dress – Ships within Europe from Germany

“Love Fashion, Think Organic, Be Responsible” are the maxims of LANIUS. The German brand uses eco-friendly materials, like GOTS certified cotton. All LANIUS facilities are SA8000 certified and it is a member of the Fair Wear Foundation. This simple yet stunning sustainable maxi dress comes in two flattering shades of moss green and navy blue! LANIUS’ clothes are available in EU sizes 34-44.

See the rating.

Shop LANIUS.

Mother of Pearl

Rated: Good

Danica Poppy Peach Dress – Ships internationally from the UK

Mother of Pearl is a sustainable and ethical luxury womenswear and accessories designer brand from the UK that celebrates individuality and authenticity. The brand uses a high proportion of eco-friendly materials including organic cotton and ensures the payment of a living wage across some of its supply chain. Prints have made a comeback, and this Poppy Peach Dress has us feeling some kind of way. The puff sleeves, the side split, the oversized fit. Swoon! Find most products in UK sizes 6 to 16.

See the rating.

Shop Mother of Pearl.

Shop Mother of Pearl @ Rêve en Vert.

Shop Mother of Pearl Pre-Owned @ Vestiaire Collective.

All The Wild Roses

Rated: Good

Zoe Vintage Floral Maxi Dress – Ships internationally from Australia

All The Wild Roses offers free-spirited fashion for the dreamers and change-makers. This Australian brand uses up to 50% deadstock fabric to create high quality and long-lasting products.

Find most items in sizes XS-2XL.

See the rating.

Shop All The Wild Roses.

A.BCH

Rated: Great

A.14 Sleeveless Skivvy Dress – Ships internationally from Australia

A.BCH is a Melbourne-based, Australian-made fashion label for individuals who care about garment provenance. It utilises renewable, organic, and recycled materials. If you’re more of a minimalist but still love a pop of colour, the sustainable maxi dresses from A.BCH are perfect, like this sleeveless skivvy dress in Cherry! Find the range in sizes 2XS-2XL, or customise to fit you!

See the rating.

Shop A.BCH.

COSSAC

Rated: Good
two images of person in cossac print maxi dress by Cossac

Cossac Print Maxi Dress – Ships internationally from Europe

COSSAC is a British brand that believes in creating timeless, feminine and versatile apparel sustainably. This Print Maxi Dress, crafted in a silky Ecovero viscose, is a perfect summer capsule wardrobe addition. Featuring a Bioactive finish, bamboo buttons and side pockets to boot, this piece gives you plenty of styling options. Find most of the range in sizes S-L.

See the rating.

Shop COSSAC.

Shop COSSAC @ Earthkind.

Reformation (Pre-Owned)

Rated: Good

Shop Pre-Loved Maxi Dresses – Ships internationally

LA-based Reformation creates killer clothes that don’t kill the environment. The brand also ensures that a large proportion of its suppliers pay a living wage. Go Reformation! Discover a whole host of pre-loved sustainable maxi dresses over on Vestiaire Collective to reduce the cost on the planet and your wallet!

See the rating.

Shop Reformation Pre-Owned @ Vestiaire Collective.

Prefer a different length for your dresses? Check out our favourite mini dresses and midi dresses too

Editor's note

Feature image via Christy Dawn, all other images via brands mentioned. Good On You publishes the world’s most comprehensive ratings of fashion brands’ impact on people, the planet, and animals. We love to recommend some of the best sustainable brands, rated “Good” or “Great”. We also encourage shopping pre-owned as another great way to reduce the impact of our fashion choices. Use our directory to search thousands of rated brands.

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