Person wearing a long-sleeved TENCEL Lyocell sustainable little black dress from Dedicated.
03 Dec
Person wearing a long-sleeved TENCEL Lyocell sustainable little black dress from Dedicated.

15 Timeless and Sustainable Little Black Dresses You’ll Love

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Love the timeless, classic beauty of a Little Black Dress for your closet, but want to breakup with those fast fashion versions that fall apart after one or two wears? You’re in the right place.

Little black dresses you’ll love to rock

True sustainable fashion rejects fleeting trends in favour of timeless pieces—and what could be more timeless than the LBD (Little Black Dress)? Dress it up or down, for work or play, the LBD has been a wardrobe staple ever since Coco Chanel first showed a range of plain black dresses in 1926. So in celebration of the style that never gets old, here are our top 15 ethical and sustainable little black dresses for any occasion.

We love the simple slip from Honest Basics (Germany), the vintage-style piece from All The Wild Roses (Australia), and the babydoll linen number from Whimsy + Row (US), but you’re bound to find an your Goldilocks LBD somewhere on the list to cherish for years to come.

LANIUS

Rated: Good
Person wearing a lacey black organic cotton little black dress by LANIUS.

Dress With Lace – Ships within Europe from Germany

“Love Fashion, Think Organic, Be Responsible” are the maxims of LANIUS. It 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 organic cotton LBD with lace detailing on the back and front is too pretty to hide. LANIUS’ clothes are available in EU sizes 34-44.

See the rating.

Shop LANIUS.

Shop LANIUS @ Curate.

ReCreate

Rated: Great
Person wearing a sustainable little black dress with long puff sleeves by ReCreate.

Transit Dress – Ships internationally from New Zealand

New Zealand based label ReCreate receives the highest rating from Good On You, “Great”. As well as using GOTS certified organic cotton and recycled materials to make its trendy clothing, ReCreate provides employment for women in Dey Tmey, a disadvantaged community in Cambodia. Rock this long-sleeved take on a sustainable little black dress with a pair of chunky heels for an edgier look. Find it in XS-XL.

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Shop ReCreate.

Stella McCartney

Rated: Good
Person wearing a viscose little black dress with chest cut-outs and a flared skirt, designed by Stella McCartney via FarFetch.

Cut-Out Detail Midi Dress – Ships internationally from the UK

British designer Stella McCartney is a trailblazer when it comes to ethical high-end fashion. We love her label’s commitment to animal rights and solid carbon emissions reduction targets. This is an investment LBD, made from sustainable viscose. Designed with cut-out detailing at the chest and a flared skirt, this refined piece can be dressed up or down with effortless ease. Sizes vary.

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Shop Stella McCartney @ LVR Sustainable.

Shop Stella McCartney @ Labell-D.

Shop Stella McCartney Kids Pre-Owned @ Retykle.

Shop Stella McCartney Pre-Owned @ Vestiaire Collective.

Shop Stella McCartney.

BASTET NOIR

Rated: Good
woman wearing black shiny short dress by bastet noir

Awinita Dress – Ships internationally from

Offers

Someone in lavender dress from Iron Ladies Collection by Bastet Noir.

Bastet Noir – The Iron Ladies Collection

Linen dresses in summer-inspired colours and patterns, featuring meticulous attention to detail and a touch of edginess. Exclusive 20% off The Iron Ladies Collection with code IRONLADIES20. (Ends: 4 JUL)

Checkout code: IRONLADIES20
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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. We’re loving the silky fabric and plunging neckline of this LBD. Find most items in sizes 36 to 42, or in custom sizing.

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Shop BASTET NOIR.

All the Wild Roses

Rated: Good
Person wearing a black vintage-style little black dress made ethically by Australian brand All The Wild Roses.

Alena Black Cotton Dress – Ships internationally from Australia

All the Wild Roses offers bohemian fashion for the dreamers and change-makers. This Australian brand uses up to 50% deadstock fabric to create high quality and long-lasting products, like the flattering Alena dress made from upcycled cotton. Find most items in sizes XS to 2XL.

See the rating.

Shop All the Wild Roses.

Malaika New York

Rated: Good
Person standing in front of a giant metal statue wearing a versatile and sustainable little black dress by Malaika New York.

Hexagon Organic Cotton T-Shirt Dress Black – Ships internationally from the US

Offers

Someone in black dress by Malaika.

Malaika New York – Site-wide

Oversized fits carefully designed to accommodate a changing body. Not too loose or too tight, instead providing the right amount of comfort and flexibility. Exclusive 20% off with code Malaikagood20%. (Ends: 11 JUN)

Checkout code: Malaikagood20%
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Malaika New York is a minimalistic sustainable clothing brand with a focus on zero waste clothing and accessories. The US-based brand aims to eliminate fashion’s harmful environmental effects by utilizing minimal or zero waste patterns, while maximizing wearability by producing luxe-quality, contemporary garments that make a statement now and into the future. The black hexagon dress is airy and versatile, you can wear it as-is or pair it with a waist belt and even shift the sleeves up or down to suit your style. Find most garments in S-XL with some items going up to 2XL.

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Shop Mailaika New York.

Baukjen

Rated: Good
Person leaning against a white wall wearing a knee-length black ECOVERO dress, made sustainably by Baukjen.

Isolde Dress with LENZING™ ECOVERO™ – Ships internationally from the UK

Baukjen is a London-based womenswear brand, with a focus on environmental, ethical, and sustainable style. Its clothes are designed for you, designed for good. The brand uses some eco-friendly materials, which helps limit the amount of chemicals, water, and wastewater used in production. If you prefer your LBD on the longer side, you can’t go wrong with the glamorous ECOVERO™ dress. Find the range in sizes XS-L.

See the rating.

Shop Baukjen.

Toad&Co

Rated: Good

Gemina Sleeveless Dress – Ships internationally from the US

Offers

Someone jumping wearing orange button shirt, beige shorts and slip-ons by Toad&Co.

Toad&Co – Site-wide (US, CA)

Designed to make you feel good - inside and out. Using only certified low-impact fabrics, Toad&Co make the outdoors more accessible for everyone. Exclusive 10% off with code SHOPGOOD10, cannot be combined with another offer. (Available in the US, and Canada only) (Ends: 20 JUN)

Checkout code: SHOPGOOD10
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Someone in striped orange and browns top and shorts by the sea by Toad&Co.

Toad&Co – Spring (US, CA)

Do more with less with Toad&Co, using only lower-impact materials, and look forward to a more sustainable spring. $25 off orders over $150 with code GOODONYOU25 (Available in the US and Canada only).   (Ends: 20 JUN)

Checkout code: GOODONYOU25
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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.

Dedicated

Rated: Great
Person wearing a long-sleeved TENCEL Lyocell sustainable little black dress from Dedicated.

Dress Hjo Black – Ships internationally from Sweden

Offers

People wearing swimsuits by Dedicated.

Dedicated – women swimwear

Women swimwear made out of recycled polyester. Exclusive 20% off women swimwear with code Dedicated20. (Ends: 29 JUN)

Checkout code: Dedicated20
Shop now
People wearing dresses by Dedicated.

Dedicated – Dresses

Whether you’re looking for a classic little black cress, a stylish shirt dress, or possibly the best jumpsuits around, we got you. Exclusive 20% off dresses with code Dedicated20. (Ends: 29 JUN)

Checkout code: Dedicated20
Shop now

If you love a great graphic tee, Swedish label Dedicated has you covered. Dedicated is an ethical streetwear brand for men, women, and children. All cotton used in its pieces are 100% organic and most are Fairtrade-certified, which means that you don’t have to sacrifice your ethics to dress in style. The elegant long sleeve Hjo sustainable little black dress is made with 100% TENCEL™ Lyocell. Find the range in XS-XL.

See the rating.

Shop Dedicated.

Shop Dedicated @ Curate.

Shop Dedicated @ Earthkind.

Whimsy + Row

Rated: Good
Studio shot of someone wearing a black deadstock velvet short dress with long sleeves, designed ethically by Whimsy + Row.

Vivian Dress in Black Velvet – Ships internationally from the US

Whimsy + Row is an eco-conscious lifestyle brand born out of a love for quality goods and sustainable practices. Since 2014, its mission has been to provide ease and elegance for the modern, sustainable woman. Whimsy + Row utilises deadstock fabric, and by limiting each garment to short runs, the brand also reduces packaging waste and takes care of precious water resources. Velvet is such a fun fabric to wear but is often made with problematic fibres. The Vivian is made from upcycled, deadstock velvet so is a great option for a unique LBD. Find most products in XS-XL.

See the rating.

Shop Whimsy + Row.

Shop Whimsy + Row @ Earthkind.

Altar

Rated: Good
Plus size person wearing a sustainable little black dress ethically made in the US by Altar.

Una Dress in Knit Volcano – Ships internationally from the US

Altar is a US-based boutique that specializes in alternative and custom fashion, apothecary, and gifts. The brand celebrates independent manufacturers and artists from across North America, with a focus on the stories that are woven into their work. For a staple sustainable little black dress you can wear year-round and dress up or down, Una is your gal. Find inclusive sizes S to 6XL.

See the rating.

Shop Altar.

Mother of Pearl

Rated: Good
Cropped shot of someone wearing a black denim mini dress with ruffled sleeves and faux pearls, designed by Mother of Pearl.

Daisy Black Mini 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. For a more unique take on an LBD, try the denim Daisy dress. It features the signature Mother of Pearl ruffle sleeve studded with faux pearls and is sure to turn heads. 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.

Honest Basics

Rated: Good
Person on a white studio backdrop wearing a simple spaghetti strap black slip dress, ethically made by Honest Basics.

Spaghetti Straps Dress – Ships internationally from Germany

Honest Basics is a GOTS-certified basics brand based in Germany. It’s on a mission to make sustainable fashion accessible to everyone, by keeping prices low, making quality basics that everyone has in their wardrobe, and constantly improving the sustainability of its products and supply chain. For a simple yet effective sustainable little black dress, this organic cotton slip is our affordable go-to. The range is available in sizes XS-L.

See the rating.

Shop Honest Basics.

Shop Honest Basics @ Urbankissed.

Boyish

Rated: Good

The Lauper – Ships internationally from the US

Love the & Other Stories vibe, but hate their fast fashion business model? Boyish has all the quality, fit, and authentic washes that you could want without the harmful practices. The Lauper dress is zero waste and features stylish puff sleeves with fitted cuffs. Find sizes 2XS-XL.

See the rating.

Shop Boyish.

éclipse

Rated: Great
Two people wearing a black longsleeve sunsafe dress, ethically made by eclipse.

EveryWear Dress – Ships internationally from the US

éclipse creates climate control UPF 50+ clothing essentials and accessories to help keep the whole family sunsafe. It manufactures locally to reduce its carbon footprint, and its entire product range is vegan-friendly. For a loose-fitting, skin-protecting dress that manages pyjama level comfort with city-level style, the EveryWear dress is your new BFF. Products are stocked in sizes S-XL.

See the rating.

Shop éclipse.

Editor's note

Feature image via Dedicated, 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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