Cool and Conscious: Organic Cotton Summer Dresses

This pretty organic cotton wrap dress has a lovely jungle print, and is ideal for lounging around for summer days. Organic cotton is far kinder to the planet, and means you can safely launder it, without releasing microplastics that leach from washing machines, and go out into the sea.

The dress is hand-block printed, and ethically sewn by a women-fun factory in Georgia, Eastern Europe. The wrap design features an adjustable waist-tie, knee-length skirt and short sleeves. Sold in three sizes.

As a small business, no VAT is charged, although shipping costs are extra.

Nomads Clothing offers beautiful feminine organic cotton dresses, made ethically in India with GOTS-certified organic cotton jersey. Many dresses have pockets, plus nice features like v-necklines and collars. Perfect for casual occasions, like garden parties.

Launder any dresses made with synthetic fabrics in a microfibre filter, to stop microplastics from escaping washing machines, and going into the sea.

Read about natural sun protection and pet safety in warmer weather.

Avoid Indian ‘lightweight loose weave’ summer dresses, as most are made from thin fabric that burns easily, especially blended with oil-based acrylic. 

The Lullaby Trust says that hats (and outdoor layers) should be removed when moving indoors or into a warm car, to prevent overheating (babies regulate temperature through their heads, and keeping them covered inside risks making them too hot).

They say to keeps rooms at around 18°C–21°C and use hats outdoors when it’s cold (below 15°C–16°C) to keep them warm. If a baby is crying intensely or sweating, he or she may be too hot. To check, feel their chest or back (rather than hands or feet, which often feel cooler). 

Read more on dressing babies safely (and sleeping arrangements) to avoid over-heating, to help prevent SIDS.

You can buy these online, or may sometimes find them on sale in M & S on the high street.

Kite Clothing (inspired by the Dorset countryside)

Kite Clothing creates nice clothing inspired by the Dorset countryside for women. In various prints from floral to pink to polka dots and summer stripes.

It also sells nice organic clothing for children (including preloved and charitable clothing for a local hospital).

An Organic Cotton Puff Sleeve Tiered Dress

This organic cotton puff sleeve tiered dress is a dreamy dress with a flowing silhouette and flattering fit, for comfortable wear. Ideal for a summer picnic or a first date, the chic puff sleeves and back tie add a touch of drama, to this effortlessly comfy outfit.

The dress is fitted at the bodice and flared from the waste, with dramatic puff sleeves and an elasticated back with side zipper. It has pockets on both sides.

This dress is by an Indian fashion brand who wanted to do something to help change the highly polluting fashion industry (most clothes in England are made in India or Bangladesh). This label makes beautiful clothes from natural materials, and supports the planet and local people who make the clothes.

Reistor is based in several locations in India, often with women who receive training on how to sew to support themselves. One is a non-profit where they have installed sewing machines, and all employees are paid fair wages. The company also supports reforestation projects to offset the carbon of imports.

This brand has quite a few other lovely organic cotton dresses on site like this pamina knee-length dress.

Mandu is a slow fashion company in Berlin, founded by a woman who is fighting for fair fashion! She had her own production facility but exploding energy costs caused by the war made operations there impossible. So with a heavy heart, she had to close the site down.

But she didn’t give up! She now has garments sewn in an inclusive workshop employing people with disabiliites, and tailored by a women-owned business in Georgia. This enables her to give women jobs, and continue to create fair fashion items for all.