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The Best Fair Trade ModCloth Dresses

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March 29, 2022 By Lisa Sharp 16 Comments

Looking for Fair Trade clothing? These ModCloth dresses are not only Fair Trade, but they are also cute as well. You need to check them out.

collage of fair trade modcloth dresses

Even if you are new you can likely gather from the blog’s name that I love retro things and the environment. My love of fashion doesn’t always fit with the environmental part. Sure vintage clothing is very environmentally friendly and that’s my favorite, but I also enjoy new vintage-inspired clothing.

The clothing industry creates a lot of pollution and is not always terribly ethical. Sweatshops are commonplace and people are exposed to toxic chemicals every day. Leather, for example, is causing massive pollution and human rights issues in Bangladesh. This is one reason I don’t buy new leather. And it’s not just cheap fashion that is a problem. Even designer fashion has human rights and pollution issues.

I’m not perfect when it comes to clothing. I try to at least buy natural fibers and avoid leather and petroleum-based fibers. It would be better if I always chose made-in-the-USA or Fair Trade dresses. I try to but this is not always easy with my style.

However, I do try and in my opinion, that’s what matters. If we each shifted just part of our clothing budget to more ethical and environmental choices it would make a huge difference. It doesn’t have to be all or nothing.

Thankfully ModCloth is combining my love of vintage-inspired fashion and my desire for ethical and environmentally friendly clothing. They not only have some great made in the USA brands, they even have some Fair Trade and organic pieces. These are some of the pieces they currently have available.

The Best Fair Trade ModCloth Dresses

These beautiful ModCloth dresses are Fair Trade and perfect for any vintage-inspired wardrobe.

Photo Credit: modcloth.com

Glowing With Gratitude Wrap Dress

Featuring a dazzling black-lined bubble print that is popping with oranges, blues, and greens, this ¾ sleeve wrap dress secures in the back with a long, adjustable tie-belt.

Photo Credit: modcloth.com

Lava Java Leopard Wrap Dress

Crafted from a stretchy cotton jersey, this A-line frock drapes flawlessly over the body. Featuring a surplice neckline, wrap-tie closure, and ¾ sleeves, this pink, brown, black, and orange-spotted dress is a contemporary, vintage-inspired treasure.

Photo Credit: modcloth.com

Eternal Flame A-Line Dress

Resembling the strike of a burning flame, this cherry red-hued and sustainably made sundress from Mata Traders is emblazoned with a unique pattern that was created by using an ancient Indonesian dyeing technique known as ikat.

Photo Credit: modcloth.com

Simplicity Isn't For Me Sundress

This anything but basic white cotton sundress by Mata Traders highlights some of the best aspects of the patterned fabric that is crafted in India in Nepal by showcasing a traditional ikat textile design in pink and black all over.

Photo Credit: modcloth.com

Sweet Sahara Babydoll Dress

Made sustainably using a stretchy cotton-blend woven fabric, this unique sleeveless sundress boasts a relaxed fit and an above-the-knee tiered skirt with subtle gathered detailing throughout.

Photo Credit: modcloth.com

Sweet and Tender Blossoms Babydoll Dress

It’s the little things that make this dress so special, like the short flounce sleeves and the split neckline with darling dual tie-bow closure.

ModCloth adds new pieces every day and the Fair Trade options also change frequently. They also have a great selection of vegan-friendly shoes and made in the USA clothing.

More Ways to Find Sustainable Vintage-Inspired Clothing

The most sustainable and ethical thing we can do when it comes to clothing is to not buy more or buy used. Another great option is clothing rental. 

We often think about clothing rental as just something you do to get formal clothing for events but you can actually rent everyday clothing. It’s something I’ve done for about half a decade. 

You can even rent clothing from brands like ModCloth or another great vintage-inspired brand Unique Vintage. The clothing rental service Gwynnie Bee offers a great selection of modern clothing and vintage-inspired pieces. This would be another way to get these pieces with less impact on the environment and in a more ethical way.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jen O says

    April 16, 2015 at 9:40 am

    As a vintage seller, I am somewhat conflicted about ModCloth. I know that true vintage can be a difficult garment to fit, but you can’t beat it for ‘green’. With that in mind, I would hope that anyone who loves vintage style continues to look first for vintage when shopping, and use ModCloth as a fall back source.
    When it comes to all new apparel, the good thing is that there are jobs created by it. You can’t discount the many people here in the US who design, pattern, produce and sell apparel, even if it is manufactured off-shore. I think it’s possible to locate manufacturers who sell apparel produced by workers earning a living wage, but we need to be prepared to pay for that additional cost when shopping. Our culture has learned in the past few decades to pay almost nothing for our clothing, and become indignant when confronted by apparel with a price tag that reflects the true cost of making it..
    As for ethical textile production? It’s well known that cotton is a real water hog, draining lakes and taking away resources for food production. And dying and printing are hideous when it comes to pollution. I don’t think there are many textiles in production right now that don’t contribute to some type of eco problem.
    So for me, there isn’t an easy answer, just lots of things to consider.

    Reply
    • Lisa Sharp says

      April 16, 2015 at 9:47 am

      Thank you for your thoughts! Of course, I would prefer vintage but I live in a small rural town in Oklahoma and vintage clothing is not easy to come by.

      And yes cotton has a large environmental impact. Like I said I’m not perfect but try to make better choices. One thing I believe is very important when it comes to clothing is to take good care of it and mend it when possible. I don’t believe in this new disposable clothing trend.

      I’d love to have more vintage pieces and I’m always on the look out. It will be a bit easier for me when I lose weight since woman had very small waists in the 40’s and 50’s! 🙂

      Reply
      • Jen O says

        April 16, 2015 at 10:15 am

        I understand your fit issues with vintage completely. Lately I have seen more vintage listings including ‘real sizes’ when I do an etsy search, so I think sellers are getting the idea. I think that many shoppers look for vintage online, rather than in shops, since the selection is more diverse, and shops are few and far between. Then there is always sewing, of course, which is probably the best way to get a good fit.

        Reply
        • Lisa Sharp says

          April 16, 2015 at 10:51 am

          I have saved a lot of vintage clothing I want on Etsy. I’m trying to wait until I’ve finished losing weight so that the clothing will fit me for a long time. ha I also want to learn to sew!

          Reply
  2. Micaela @MindfulMomma says

    April 16, 2015 at 12:46 pm

    I had no idea that ModCloth sold fair trade clothing. They have such cute dresses – SO tempting!

    Reply
    • Lisa Sharp says

      April 16, 2015 at 12:49 pm

      I had no idea until I stumbled upon some. They have some really great options right now.

      Reply
  3. diane says

    April 16, 2015 at 12:55 pm

    Those are beautiful dresses. I love that more companies are taking an interest in Fair Trade certification. Not to mention the fact that cotton is one of the most heavily pesticide sprayed crops in our country. I would love to see more organic cotton clothing in our stores!

    Reply
    • Lisa Sharp says

      April 18, 2015 at 8:25 pm

      So true! I’m loving seeing steps like this being taken.

      Reply
  4. Leigh says

    April 16, 2015 at 2:01 pm

    I love the blue dress on the bottom left I would wear it all the time. I hear you on your struggles with clothes, I have it in general. Dressing for work in a professional way that is sustainable is VERY hard.. synthetic fabrics prevail in most fashion and it is hard to find organic or fair trade truly professional looking clothing.

    Reply
    • Lisa Sharp says

      April 18, 2015 at 8:26 pm

      Very true. And I love that dress as well!

      Reply
  5. Betsy (Eco-novice) says

    April 16, 2015 at 3:23 pm

    Modcloth always has super cute dresses. I love your fair trade picks! Clothing is one area I could make greener.

    Reply
    • Lisa Sharp says

      April 18, 2015 at 8:27 pm

      They do! I buy a lot of things from them. I’m so happy that they are getting more and more fair trade items.

      Reply
  6. Lori Popkewitz Alper says

    April 16, 2015 at 9:12 pm

    I think I’m in love with every dress! Thanks for sharing. Always nice to have fair trade options when it comes to clothing. Since it’s finally spring here I might have to indulge!

    Reply
    • Lisa Sharp says

      April 18, 2015 at 8:27 pm

      Isn’t it? I love dresses and skirts in the spring and summer. I’m trying really hard not to buy all of these haha.

      Reply
  7. Becky Striepe says

    April 17, 2015 at 10:54 am

    I’m so glad to read about this! I love Mod Cloth, almost more for their “every size” approach to their models as much as the style of their clothes. It’s so great to see them embracing Fair Trade, too.

    Reply
    • Lisa Sharp says

      April 18, 2015 at 8:28 pm

      I love that they embrace everyone as well. They are company I can support! Plus the clothes are cute and their customer service is amazing.

      Reply

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Welcome to my blog! My name is Lisa and I'm the Retro Housewife trying to live a greener life. I share my love of all things vintage, homemaking and green living here on the blog. To read more, click here.

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