Natural-Fiber Sundresses: Our Favorite Natural and Non-Toxic Picks for Summer

Image by Christy Dawn

This post contains some affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase, EcoCult receives a small percentage of the sale price. 

What better way to welcome warm, sunny days than with a gorgeous and comfortable sundress? But whether you’re lounging at a picnic or enjoying a drink at your friend’s BBQ, it’s important to consider more than just easy style. That sundress you’re wearing could have negative impacts on your health. 

If you’re wearing a synthetic dress, you might be absorbing toxic chemicals from the fabric when you get hot and sweaty. Polyester (especially the stretchy kind) can also have high levels of the hormone-disrupting chemical BPA.

But don’t worry. By knowing which fabrics and labels to look out for — you’ll be set to make a safe and stylish choice. Here’s how to pick the perfect sundress that keeps you healthy (and respects the planet):

Natural Materials: We absolutely recommend sticking to natural fibers for your dress. Besides your dress potentially sticking to you,natural fibers are safe for people with chemical and skin sensitivities, while synthetics are not. While polyester retains odor from sweat and can feel sticky when it’s hot outside, natural materials will be much more breathable and comfortable. They also easily air out between wearings, necessitating less laundering and no dry cleaning. In this guide, you’ll find brands that use organic or regenerative cotton, hemp, linen, and Tencel. 

Non-Toxic Dyes: When shopping for bold and vibrant dresses, be on the lookout for the dyes used. Azobenzene disperse dyes (which are most commonly used on synthetics), are known skin sensitizers, according to Alden Wicker’s book To Dye For. This risk is more pronounced when you sweat in the summer sun, as the chemicals can mingle with perspiration and seep into your skin. Look for brands that use traditional techniques like hand dyeing and block printing, or who hold non-toxic certifications and labels such as bluesign and Oeko-Tex.

Timelessness & Durability: A stunning sundress can last you for many summers to come if it’s well-designed and made to last. Many sustainable brands keep this in mind with not only the construction of the garment but the aesthetics as well, so your new sundress will never go out of style. Just make sure you check the care instructions on each garment to get the longest lifespan possible.

Ethical & Responsible Supply Chain: Transparency is key from start to finish. Look for brands that foster short supply chains and work closely with their material suppliers, artisans, and manufacturers. Many brands on this list work closely with family-owned factories or artisan collectives to ensure that they are fairly compensated for their craftsmanship and are treated well in fair conditions. Some brands also source materials local to their factories to reduce shipping emissions. If you’re unsure of a brand’s ethics, look for certifications like Fair Trade.

And without further ado, here are our favorite sustainable and ethical brands for sundresses:

Christy Dawn

What we like: This farm-to-closet brand works directly with artisans and a regenerative cotton farm in Erode, India to maintain mutually beneficial relationships throughout its supply chain. Its dreamy sundresses are made with regenerative cotton and deadstock fabrics like silk, and are decorated with block-printed patterns for a timeless aesthetic. Its long-lasting designs are dyed with natural and organic dyes, and manufactured in its small factories in L.A. and India. Christy Dawn also offers a pre-loved section, allowing you to buy secondhand to minimize your environmental impact. 

Location:United States, ships internationally. 

Price Range: $198-$620

Cleobella

What we like: Cleobella uses plant-based fibers like viscose, linen, hemp and GOTS-certified organic cotton to make its vibrant sundresses. The brand works with artisans and small factories in India and Bali who use traditional craftsman techniques, such as hand-block printing, and meet the brand’s ethical trade agreement standards. It uses non-toxic vegetable-based dyes on its designs, which are created to be versatile, durable, and one-of-a-kind. 

Location: United States, ships internationally.

Price Range: $50-$350

Seek Collective

What we like: This slow fashion brand is dedicated to never letting its custom textiles go to waste. All of its garments are ethically manufactured throughout India by its ethical artisan partners, including natural dyers, hand block printers, handloom weavers, and material suppliers. Its vibrant sundresses are made with cotton and silk and naturally dyed using vegetables, minerals, flowers, and bugs. 

Location: United States, ships internationally. 

Price Range: $297–$578

Reformation

What we like: Reformation uses a variety of natural materials to create limited-edition sundresses. The brand grades its fabrics, including Tencel, cotton, linen, and silk, by sustainability. Any materials that are not made in a bluesign-approved facility must be certified by Oeko-Tex. Its collections are made in Los Angeles and in its responsible partner factories throughout the world, which are publicly available on its website. 

Location: United States, ships internationally.

Price Range: $105-$428

Toad & Co

What we like: This California-based brand uses organic cotton, Tencel, recycled polyester, and hemp for its bright and fun sundresses. Many of its garments are bluesign-approved, and it regularly re-evaluates its lists of restricted substances while working closely with suppliers to ensure all materials comply.  We love that you can filter through its catalog for Oeko-Tex certified labels, assuring non-toxicity. 

Location: United States, ships internationally.

Price Range: $97-$150

Jyoti Fair Works

What we like: This German-Indian fashion label works closely with small stitching workshops and family-owned factories to design beautiful flowing sundresses. It uses fabrics like GOTS-certified organic cotton, viscose, Tencel, and hemp. It minimizes transportation emissions and uses eco-friendly dyes. The brand features each member of its manufacturing partners on its website to show transparency throughout its supply chain, and ensures adaptable hours for working parents. 

Location: Germany, ships internationally.

Price Range: $85-$186

Luna + Sun

What we like: This ethical clothing brand seeks to inspire and uplift women. Its roomy pieces are designed to be worn for life and adapt to changing bodies. Luna + Sun only uses plant-based fibers and Oeko-Tex-certified dyes. Its fabric supplier, Potter Textiles, sources its flax from France and Belgium and mills it in China. All of its garments are made in Australia. 

Location: Australia, ships internationally.

Price Range: $75 – $230

Tali and Tasi

What we like: Tali and Tasi follows a slow fashion model that uses sustainably sourced fibers, such as Tencel, modal, and GOTS-certified organic cotton. All of its garments are cut, sewn, and designed within twenty miles of its studio in Queensland, Australia. Its bold dresses are dyed with Oeko-Tex-certified dyes. 

Watch out for: While the organic cotton is grown in Australia, it is unclear where the brand sources its Tencel and modal materials from. 

Location: Australia, ships internationally.

Price Range: $110-$260

Valani

Watch we like: Valani, a biodegradable fashion label, was established by lifelong vegan and philanthropist Vanni Leung. Her collections feature garments crafted from plant-based materials such as Tencel, banana silk, and hemp, all dyed with non-toxic colors verified by Oeko-tex. The brand collaborates with GOTS-certified producers in Tamil Nadu, India, ensuring fair wages and work hours for their employees. Valani repurposes fabric remnants into items like scrunchies, toy fillings, and other crafts to reduce waste and recycle any remaining materials. Its packaging solutions include straw-recycled boxes, tissue paper, and ties made of hemp and jute. 

Location: United States, ships internationally.

Price range: $198

Magic Linen

What we like: MagicLinen is a Lithuania-based brand that offers a range of custom-made linen products, emphasizing sustainability. The brand uses Oeko-Tex-certified linen to ensure its products are free from harmful substances.  It has an assortment of cute and timeless summer dresses that are both breathable and comfortable. 

Location: Lithuania, ships internationally.

Price range: $60 – 145