10 Sustainable Wedding Dress Brands to Watch
In the past, the search for a sustainable wedding dress would have led you through countless vintage and secondhand stores. Of course, perusing pre-loved treasures can be fun, but for the bride who knows exactly what they want, it can also be time-consuming. Luckily, as the movement towards a more sustainable future grows, there are more ways to shop ethically made and eco-friendly wedding gowns than ever before. If you're interested in prioritizing sustainability on your wedding day, you've come to the right place.
Megan Ziems, founder of the Australian sustainable wedding dress brand Grace Loves Lace, believes that brides care more about eco-friendly fashion now than ever before. She believes that many brides today, "want to purchase from brands who champion sustainable and ethical manufacturing and they aren't afraid to ask how their dress will be made." As awareness of environmental ethics grows and pressure from consumers increases, more and more bridal brands are joining the fight for a more eco-friendly future, while others, like Grace Loves Lace, have been on the forefront of the movement from the start. The list of sustainable wedding dress brands is continuously growing, which is good news for brides looking to make earth conscious choices for their big day. Keep reading to discover 10 of our favorites that you can shop from right now.
In this article:
- What Does Sustainability Mean in Fashion?
- Why Choose an Ethically-Made or Eco-Friendly Wedding Dress
- What to Look For in Sustainable Wedding Dresses
- Sustainable Wedding Dress Brands to Watch in 2023
What Does Sustainability Mean in Fashion?
It is estimated that 85% of all textiles produced each year will end up in a landfill, which makes the fashion industry a major contributor to the environmental issues currently plaguing the world. Shifting away from mass production and the use of non-renewable resources is more than just a way to keep up with the latest movement—It's essential to the future of our planet. But sustainability in fashion is about protecting more than just the environment. It's about prioritizing the health and well-being of the people involved in its production as well. Sustainable fashion refers to the production of clothing in which neither people, animals, or the planet are exploited for monetary gain. Ethical practices, such as safe working conditions, equal pay opportunities and responsible use of resources ensure that the fashion industry will be able to adequately sustain itself in the long run—hence the term sustainability.
Why Choose an Ethically-Made or Eco-Friendly Wedding Dress
With so many bridal brands available to shop from today, brides have the ability to choose one that aligns with their core values. "At the end of the day, sustainability is all about making better choices where you can," Ziems says. She believes that, "if you can identify what factors are most important to you from the start, it will be so much easier for you to narrow down and ultimately find 'the one'." For brides who are passionate about the environment and reducing their personal carbon footprint, choosing an ethically-made or eco-friendly wedding dress means having something you can look good and feel good in, and that's something you can't put a price on.
What to Look For in Sustainable Wedding Dresses
So, how do you know if a brand is sustainable? Well, according to Ziems, the brands who do place importance on sustainability will likely detail this on their website and will be transparent about what their specific commitments are. When looking at a brand's website there are a few key things to look for, including batch size, materials, and packaging.
Small Batch or Made-to-Order
The term 'fast fashion' refers to the mass production of low-cost and low quality clothing items. One of the many harsh realities of this industry is the excessive amounts of textile waste that comes out of it, due to the demand not being nearly as high as the supply. Many bridal brands are able to significantly decrease the amount of textile waste they produce by making items in small batches, or making them to order for each individual bride. Not only is this process better for the environment, it can also allow for dresses to be customized to the bride's liking.
Ethically Sourced Materials
A brand could be doing all of the right things when it comes to running an ethical business on their end, but if the materials their products are made from come from situations of exploitation, they aren't truly sustainable. Keep an eye out on brands' websites for information on how they source their materials. We love seeing brands use recycled materials in production. Fabrics derived from plants, such as organic cotton, linen and tencel, are also much more sustainable options compared to man-made petroleum-based materials like polyester and nylon. Where gowns with gems and crystals are involved, look for fair trade certifications on the brand's website to ensure the embellishments were sourced ethically.
Recycled Packaging
Textile waste is just one piece of the puzzle when it comes to determining if a brand lives up to its claims of sustainability. In a world of online shopping, packaging is now one of largest contributors to waste in landfills. When searching for a sustainable wedding dress, consider whether the brand is doing their part to reduce waste by opting for recycled, reusable or biodegradable packaging for their products.
Sustainable Wedding Dress Brands to Watch in 2023
The good news for brides is that there are now more ethically-made wedding dress brands than ever before, making it easy to find a gown that checks off all the boxes. These 12 brands are just a few of the places that brides can shop gowns that prioritize sustainability without sacrificing on style.
1. Grace Loves Lace
Grace Loves Lace was founded in 2011 by Australian bridal designer, Megan Ziems with the belief that price tags shouldn't get in the way of brides finding their dream dress. With sustainability in mind, she set out to create affordable gowns that brides could feel comfortable and confident in. Throughout the past 12 years, the brand has been revolutionizing the bridal industry through their ethical and innovative design process.
Sustainability factors: Inspired to make use of materials that would have otherwise been discarded, the team used modern technology to develop their own luxurious fabrics made from recycled materials. Their signature 100% eco lace, which is Global Recycled Standard certified, is used on many of their beloved gowns that brides can feel proud to wear on their wedding day. The majority of Grace Loves Lace gowns are made-to-order, and fabric scraps get made into new yarn, meaning none of their materials ever end up in a landfill.
Size range: XS - 3XL
Prices from: $1,600
How to shop: On Grace Loves Lace's website, you'll find a wide variety of ready-to-wear and made-to-order gowns. You can also book a one-on-one appointment at one of their many showrooms throughout the country.
2. Jenny Yoo
You may know Jenny Yoo as a key player in the bridesmaid attire scene, but did you know that they are also a great place to shop for ethically made wedding gowns? In 2006, Jenny Yoo created the namesake brand as a way to redefine how people shop for wedding dresses and bridesmaid gowns. Their dresses are designed to be truly timeless, with quality and style that will last a lifetime.
Sustainability factors: Jenny Yoo's gowns are manufactured in facilities that are certified and passed the Workplace Conditions Assessment (WCA), which ensures safe working conditions are present and no child labor is ever used. Much of the fabric that the brand uses is made from sustainably sourced yarns. Jenny Yoo also partners with local organizations, including New York fashion design schools, to recycle and repurpose fabric scraps.
Size range: XS - XL
Prices from: $198
How to shop: Jenny Yoo has a wide range of ready-to-wear options available to shop online. You can also book an appointment at their New York or Chicago salons.
3. KAMPERETT
In 2015, Anna Chiu and Valerie Santillo founded KAMPERETT with the intention of creating a brand that was as ethical as it was innovative. Their effortlessly chic designs are perfect for any minimalist bride looking for an understated wedding dress that makes a statement.
Sustainability factors: In their ethically-run factory in San Francisco, each of KAMPERETT's gowns are made in small batches using natural fabrics and sustainably sourced materials wherever possible. Their high-quality looks are designed to last, so you can get the most use possible out of them.
Size range: XS - XXL
Prices from: $380
How to shop: You can shop KAMPERETT's bridal collection online, or book an appointment in their San Francisco showroom.
4. Wear Your Love
Nature was Jillian Leigh's greatest inspiration when creating Wear Your Love. She began creating gowns from organic cotton, not only because it is hypoallergenic and luxuriously soft, but also because it saves precious freshwater resources and produces roughly 45% less CO2 compared to traditional cotton. Today, the brand's boho cotton gowns are handmade in their ethically-run California studio.
Sustainability factors: In addition to their commitment to helping the planet through the use of organic cotton, every Wear Your Love gown is also made-to-order, leaving zero waste behind throughout production. Fabric remnants from each of their gowns get recycled into industrial textiles, which are then used to make things like carpet pads and furniture cushions.
Size range: Custom
Prices from: $1,620
How to shop: Wear Your Love's gowns are available to order online, with the ability to customize your size along with other details of the dress.
5. Reformation
Reformation roots itself in sustainability, as a former vintage shop that later expanded to make their own designs. The brand operates with a people-and-planet-first approach, prioritizing the health and safety of their employees through partnerships with organizations such as the Fair Labor Association, and commitment to upholding certain environmental standards, which are outlined on their website. Whether you're shopping for a bridal gown or everyday wear, Reformation's products are made to last, so you can slow your fashion consumption and love your clothes for years to come.
Sustainability factors: Besides their effortlessly chic styles, what we love most about Reformation is their transparency. Reformation's sustainability tab outlines exactly how they were able to become climate neutral, as well as their plans to source 100% recycled, regenerative, or renewable resources by 2025. Through their RefCycling program, you can donate unwanted clothing to be turned into fibers for future use, in an effort to offset textile waste in landfills.
Size range: 0 - 24
Prices from: $298
How to shop: You can shop Reformation's gorgeous options for all your wedding festivities via their online Bridal Salon. If you like the convenience of being able to try on items in-store, they also have countless locations throughout the country.
6. Maison Sully
The most sustainable option when it comes to fashion is to wear the clothes you already have. (We obviously know this can be tricky where wedding attire is concerned!) The second most sustainable option? Vintage clothing. Maison Sully is known for their artfully curated reworked vintage bridal looks. Through their hand-tailoring service, brides can choose how they'd like to customize their vintage gowns to create a look that's completely their own. While they're known for their focus on the mod and disco eras of the '60s and '70s, you can find a variety of unique pieces from all different time periods at Maison Sully.
Sustainability factors: Through reimagined vintage, Maison Sully gives pre-loved clothes a second life, thus keeping them out of landfills. They also have an exciting in-house line of accessories at their Los Angeles showroom, made from responsibly sourced and recycled materials.
Size range: 0 - 14
Prices from: $225
How to shop: You can shop most of their upcycled bridal pieces online, or book an appointment at their Los Angeles showroom to view the entire collection.
7. Loulette Bride
Passion and purpose drove two best friends, Marteal Mayer and Timmy Johnson, to create Loulette Bride. They hoped to bring a greater sense of integrity to the bridal industry by providing sustainably made, size-inclusive options for every kind of bride. From their studio in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, the small team creates gowns and lingerie that are stylish, comfortable, and easy to wear.
Sustainability factors: All of Loulette's gowns are made-to-order, in an effort to minimize textile waste. They use recycled poly lining, and natural fabrics like cotton, silk, hemp, linen, and wool to create their dresses, and recycle all fabric scraps throughout the process. For every dress sold, the brand also plants a tree in that bride's name through an organization called One Tree Planted.
Size range: 0 - 40
Prices from: $195
How to shop: You can browse Loulette's collection from their stunning, light-filled studio in Brooklyn, New York, or shop their assortment of gowns online.
8. Anita Dongre
Anita Dongre founded the namesake brand in 1995, and it has since grown to become one of the leading fashion houses in India. The brand is known for redefining the fashion industry, not only through setting trends, but also through its commitment to supporting people, animals, and the planet. The Anita Dongre Foundation has changed the lives of women in rural India by giving them new career opportunities and skill training.
Sustainability factors: When it comes to how they're supporting the planet and the people on it, Anita Dongre offers nothing but transparency. On their website, you can learn more about where they source their sustainable fabrics, as well as their initiatives to reduce plastic and textile waste. To date, the brand has also supported the planting of over 25,000 trees for forests in India.
Size range: L - XXL
Prices from: $720
How to shop: Anita Dongre's vibrant bridal looks are available to shop online, but if you happen to be in New York City, you can catch a glimpse of their looks in person at their Soho storefront.
9. Scout Bridal
When you buy a gown from Scout Bridal you can (literally) watch nature bloom because of it. When you say "yes" to the dress, the brand will plant a tree in your name. Each dress also arrives with seeded tags, that you can plant to watch wildflowers grow all around you. We love this unique shopping experience almost as much as we love their classic bridal looks.
Sustainability factors: Sustainability is considered at each step of the way when creating Scout Bridal's timeless wedding gowns. Their pieces are made in small batches from their New York City studio and arrive to brides in recycled packaging.
Size range: 00 - 20
Prices from: $1,700
How to shop: You can find Scout Bridal at a variety of retailers throughout the country, as well as some in Canada, Australia, Germany, and the United Kingdom.
10. Lost in Paris
If you're a bohemian bride who loves all things lace, you'll love Lost in Paris. Through a unique process of sourcing materials from European vintage and antique markets, each Lost in Paris gown comes to be. For the pre-loved fabrics and lace that have been passed down through generations, you get the privilege of being the final stop of their journey—we can't think of anything more special to be your 'something old'!
Sustainability factors: Lost in Paris was created with the intention of becoming the antithesis of mass-produced fashion. Their small but mighty team of dressmakers hand-makes each gown on century-old sewing machines, using vintage fabrics sourced all across Europe.
Size range: XS - 4XL
Prices from: $1,450
How to shop: All Lost in Paris gowns are available to purchase via their website, with the option to try-on at home before you purchase.