From edgy sheer black knits to sweet and feminine strapless silk, these sexy summer dresses by eco-friendly designers are perfect for sweltering nights on the town.
If you don’t have a dress in your closet that screams, ‘It’s ninety degrees, but I look and feel amazing,’ you need to go shopping. Stat. I’m not an advocate of thoughtless, voracious consumerism, and I definitely don’t recommend running out to your nearest fast fashion store full of dirt cheap, pesticide-laden garments made by slave labor. But a sexy summer dress is a wardrobe essential, and the right one will be a staple for warm-weather dates and events for years to come.
These five gorgeous garments were handmade in America using environmentally friendly processes and materials, and include a couple options in extended sizes.
Asymmetrical Organic Cotton Dress by Brook There
Slinky organic cotton and bamboo with a touch of spandex make this casual summer dress by Brook There cool and versatile with a comfy yet body-hugging fit that will effortlessly transition from day to night. Available in over a dozen colors, this dress features an asymmetric neckline and side slit, giving it a modern edge. Each piece by Brook There Organic Clothing is hand-made to order in Portland, Maine.
Medewi Leopard Silk Tube Mini Dress by Gypsy05
The Medewi Leopard Silk Tube Mini Dress by Gypsy05 is sweet and summery in three pastel prints, but still shoulder-baring sexy. It’s lined with silk fabric in a matching color and features an adjustable elastic tie waistband. Gypsy05 garments are made using organic fabrics, soy softeners, low-impact dyes and seaweed extract printing. This small lifestyle brand’s headquarters were the first completely solar-powered dyeing, printing and manufacturing facility in Los Angeles, California.
Ran Dress by Morph Knitwear for Sisters of the Black Moon
This sheer hand-knitted cotton and bamboo dress with an asymmetrical hemline looks amazing over a bandeau and hot pants, a swimsuit or a basic tank dress. Stick with edgy all-black or mix it up with colors and prints underneath. Each Morph Knitwear piece is made to order by designer Angela Thompson in Portland, Oregon using materials that are almost exclusively locally sourced. Thompson cites “the mythological, the powerful feminine, history, and a good dose of heavy metal” among her influences.
Puya Organic Cotton Dress by Elroy Clothing
A cowl neck and a little bit of subtle ruching make Elroy Clothing’s Puya Dress flattering for virtually every figure. It comes in purple, red or turquoise, and it’s made of 95% organic cotton. Elroy supports fair trade markets in areas of low income and unemployment, including Indonesia, where the company founder began a sustainable employment project in 2009.
The Belladonna Dress by HerbanDevi
We all need a couple sexy summer dresses that make us feel bold and confident, and the organic cotton Belladonna Dress by HerbanDevi couldn’t be more perfect for dancing. It’s got shoulder ties for an adjustable fit, and a flounce skirt. Handmade to order in San Mateo, California, this dress comes in a wide range of colors, and sizes XX-small (00) through XX-large (22-24).
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