10 Cute Summer Outfits from Ethical Brands
It’s no secret that our modern consumer culture has an incredible impact on the planet. The fashion industry in particular is a huge contributor to pollution; with things like dyes that harm the environment and fabrics that release microplastics into the ocean to labor practices that are designed to keep poor people in poverty, it’s difficult to know how to shop sustainably and ethically. If your summer goals include learning how to be sustainable and to reduce your impact on the planet, the fashion industry is a good place to start! Here are 10 cute ethical summer outfits that can start you on your journey to living sustainably and ethically!
1. Crystal Romper
The Crystal Romper from Tamga Designs is not only absolutely adorable, it’s made from eco-friendly Tencel fabric. You can dress this romper up with cute booties for a dinner date, or you can dress it down for a day on the beach with an oversized sunhat and flip flops! The fun floral design is achieved using eco-friendly non-toxic dyes. If you’re concerned about buying clothes online because it can result in fossil fuel pollution from transportation, Tamga Designs does their best to keep their shipping carbon neutral in North America! Plus, they avoid plastic packaging! They also pay a living wage in the final stage of production and visit most of their suppliers on a regular basis, so you can be sure that your purchase supports an ethical business! The Crystal Romper is an ethical summer outfit that is to die for!
Copy this look:
2. Made it T-shirt
The Made it T-shirt from Aday is a fun and functional closet staple. Pair with their Lighter Days Shorts for a cute day outfit, or dress it up for a more professional look with the Cut It Out Pants. Aday uses eco-friendly recycled materials to make its products and recycles most of the offcuts to minimize the amount of fabric that is wasted. They also use renewable energy and have taken steps to reduce their water use. Unfortunately, there is no evidence that Aday has any Code of Conduct or that they monitor their supply chain, however, they do trace their supply chain from beginning to end. “Ethical” can mean many things, it’s important to look into the different ways in which a brand might label themselves “ethical.”
Copy this look:
3. Kaftan Dress
The Kaftan Dress from No Nasties is a must-have for summer! It’s light and airy, perfect for those hot summer days! This ethical summer outfit is a go-to for those lazy days when you just feel like doing nothing. No Nasties uses organic cotton grown without synthetic pesticides and fertilisers, non-toxic dyes, and everything is sourced using fair trade practices! No Nasties is based in India and is committed to reducing the number of Indian farmers who commit suicide due to exploitation. They ensure that no children work for them and guarantee a living wage for all their workers. It hardly gets better than No Nasties and the Kaftan Dress!
Copy this look:
4. Shopping Bag
Another No Nasties favourite, the Shopping Bag can be used for more than just shopping! It’s a cute tote bag that can be used for a variety of things including carrying your things to the beach, as an accessory to your favourite sundress, or to carry your groceries back from the bulk food store! Pair it with the Crystal Romper from Tamga Designs for a fun beachy look. It’s a fun and casual fashion statement that can start conversations about sustainability and ethical shopping!
Copy this look:
5. The Florence Midi
The Florence Midi from Fauxgerty is an incredible dress for summer! It’s perfect for a casual coffee date and is sure to wow at a fancy dinner party. It’s the perfect dress to accent with funky accessories, so you can break out those bold shoes you’ve been dying to wear! Fauxgerty is an inclusive brand, offering sizes up to 3XL. The final stage of production is based in the US, where the workers are paid a living wage! Their environmental practices include using a fair amount of eco-friendly materials and recycled fabric and reduce their carbon footprint by manufacturing their products locally. The Florence Midi is an incredible staple piece for your summer wardrobe!
Copy this look:
6. Marietta Skirt
The Marietta Skirt from Gary Mash is the perfect addition to any wardrobe! It’s available in three bold colours and one lovely print pattern. The Marietta is the perfect statement piece for a capsule wardrobe as it is sure to add personality and flare to any outfit! Plus, you can feel good knowing that Gary Mash uses natural plant-based dyes to achieve those bright colours, eco-friendly fabrics such as organic cotton, and audits its suppliers regularly to ensure safe working conditions and a living wage for their supplier’s workers.
Copy this look:
7. Etiko’s Lowcut Sneakers
Everyone knows that lowcut sneakers are a summer staple! If yours are looking a little too worn out, check out Etiko’s lowcut sneakers! Available in seven different colours, Etiko has you covered for your casual footwear needs this summer. Try out the timeless black or white sneakers, or be adventurous and take your pick of the navy blue, red, or olive green. If lowcut sneakers aren’t your thing, they also have hitops available in the same range of colours! Etiko’s sneakers are 100% vegan and use natural latex rubber, organic cotton, vegan glue, and non-toxic dyes. They employ Certified Fairtrade employees to stitch their shoes and laces! Try these with the Kaftan Dress from No Nasties for a casual summer day look!
8. The Beverly Short
MUD Jeans’ Beverly Shorts are They boast a trendy high waistline and cut off around mid thigh for a playful summer look. They are perfect for those working towards a capsule wardrobe! Pair these denim shorts with MUD Jeans’ Roundneck T-Shirt for a casual laid-back outfit, or pair them with Aday’s Made it T-shirt for a confident look perfect for a summer coffee date. Don’t want to commit to a new pair of shorts? That’s ok! MUD Jeans offers their lease a jean service for the Beverly Shorts, so you don’t have to own them! You can lease them for the summer months and then, when you’re done with them, you can send them back to MUD Jeans where they can recycle them into new jeans! MUD Jeans uses sustainable practices such as avoiding the use of toxic chemicals, recycling old fabric, and operating carbon neutrally!
9. Lodi Modal Tank Dress
Everyone needs a little black dress! Know The Origin’s Lodi Modal tank dress makes for an adorable ethical summer outfit. It is low-effort, perfect for lazy days and rushed plans. It can be paired with simple sneakers (like Etiko’s low cut sneakers) for a simple day look, or they can be dressed up with a small purse and small heels for a girls night out. Know The Origin is certified by Fairtrade International – Small Producers Organizations and they reuse all of their offcuts to reduce their waste! When you buy this dress, you’re not only investing in a versatile wardrobe staple, you’re investing in the planet!
Copy this look:
10. Frida Pants
A pair of cute, versatile pants that can be worn anywhere, the Frida Pants from Tamga Designs are the perfect addition for any ethical summer outfit! They can be dressed down with white t-shirt (like the Made it T-shirt from Aday) or you can keep them fancy by pairing it with matching Kemala Blouse from Tamga Designs!
Copy this look:
Bonus tip: Check out your local thrift store!
Nothing is more sustainable or ethical than reusing what’s already made! Rummaging through a thrift store to find that perfect item is way more rewarding than regular shopping, plus, there are plenty of vintage items and unique pieces that get tucked away on the racks of a thrift store! Visit often to check out new items and to find the perfect pieces you never knew you were looking for. Don’t have any thrift stores in your town? That’s ok! ThredUp is an online thrift store that’s easy to browse. Plus, you get 50% off on your first order when you sign up!
