Your Vegan Summer Wardrobe Starts Here
At long last, summer is here. Daylight lingers into evening, mornings are bright and sunny days on the beach beckon. Finally, layers of knits can be shed in favour of slinky dresses, floaty skirts and everyone's favourite summer staple – floral print. It's the season of sandals, sunglasses and woven bags, not to mention the time of year when swimwear can make an appearance. See our vegan summer style edit for your most sustainable – and stylish – warm-weather wardrobe to date.
By Sascha Camilli: writer, speaker, activist, and vegan fashion expert.
The wear-it-everywhere sustainable floral dress: Baukjen Loulou LENZING™ ECOVERO™ Floral Maxi Dress | White Stamp
Prepare to live in this dreamy floral design made from eco-friendly ECOVERO viscose. Suitable for daytime as well as balmy summer evenings, this design will be your new summer uniform.
The barely-there vegan sandals: Minuit Provence Vegan Leather Flat Slingback Sandals
For keeping it cool on hot days, these simple, chic ethical sandals by French vegan brand Minuit sur Terre go with just about everything (especially your long floaty floral dresses), and will easily take you from day to dusk.
The statement sunglasses: Bird Eyewear Suma Sustainable Bio-Acetate Sunglasses
Be eye-catching for all the right reasons with this style made from wood pulp and natural plant-based plasticisers. Bonus: every pair sold helps bring clean and safe light to families in central Africa through Bird's partnership with SolarAid.
The beach dress: Baukjen Eloise Sleeveless LENZING™ ECOVERO™ Jersey Tiered Dress
Those long days by the seafront have never looked better. Eloise is set to be your failsafe sunny day dress; simply pull it on and go. Crafted from supremely comfortable and sustainable LENZING™ ECOVERO™ jersey, it features a tank-style neckline and pretty tiered detailing in the skirt.
The ethical holiday bag: Stelar Muna Handwoven Atta Vegan Bucket Bag
This handmade design is perfect for days on holiday spent between the beach, a walk in town, and a lingering, lazy lunch in a shady spot. Made from organic atta grass, this style from Stelar is a beautiful example of meticulous, dedicated craftsmanship.
The everyday vegan sandals: Good Guys Juno Apple Leather Vegan Summer Slides
Made with award-winning, innovative and eco-friendly Appleskin™, which is an alternative to leather that's made with 40% apple waste, this classic style will become a trusted summer companion, whether teamed with shorts and a tee or a summery dress.
The sustainable party dress: Baukjen Michelle Double Strap Tencel™ Vegan Silk Dress
An elevated take on a simple silhouette, Michelle comes in a mood-boosting shade of tangerine and a criss-cross, open back for that touch of style. Shaped around the bust and with a fitted waist panel, it promises to flatter. It will also keep you suitably cool as it’s made from Tencel™, a beautifully drapey fabric that scores highly for its sustainability credentials.
The daytime dress-up piece: Baukjen Daisy Broderie Upcycled Top in Pure White
When you want to look extra polished on warm summer days, look no further than Baukjen's sustainable broderie anglaise blouse made from surplus materials. The lace detailing, the scalloped cuffs, and the ruffled shoulders make this a classic summer style.Wear with denim on crisp summer mornings or at sunset.
The one-piece: Sundar Swim The Ouse ECONYL® Reversible One Piece Swimsuit | Multiple Colours
One-piece swimsuits have made a big comeback in the last few years, and Sundar's sustainable designs are designed to be worn in the wild; to climb, dive, jump and swim. The low scoop back and v-neck front gives this style a flattering fit whilst also being practical; the double layer means that not only is your swimsuit reversible but gives the fibre double strength so it won’t go see-through and you’ll feel killer and confident in it. What's more interesting, Sundar's collection uses ECONYL, a regenerated nylon fabric made from fishing nets and other recovered plastic waste.
The two-piece: September Eden ECONYL Bikini Plum top and bottoms
Love the whole ECONYL thing, but not too crazy about the idea of a one-piece? No worries, bikinis are still going strong – and vibrant, popping neon shades pair beautifully with tanned skin. Case in point: September's bright plum bralette-style top and high-waisted bottoms.
By Sascha Camilli
For more vegan & sustainable summer favourites, check out our Vegan & Sustainable Summer Picks.
About Sascha
Sascha Camilli is a vegan fashion writer, speaker and activist. Her book Vegan Style is out now on Murdoch Books. For more about Sascha, you can read our interview with her. You can also follow her on Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn.
Cover image by Stelar
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