Sustainable Handmade Clothing for Hot Summer Days

Handmade clothing, where every stitch is a labor of love, is a breath of fresh air in a world where fast fashion is the norm. We proudly offer handcrafted goods and take every chance we get to partner with master artisans who put their all into each garment and accessory. Shop handmade and bid adieu to the mundane! Welcome breezy fabrics, vibrant colors, and unique designs that make you feel cool and refreshed in the sizzling summer heat.

Take a look at these handmade dresses, swim cover ups, and artisanal accessories for a playful and fabulous summer wardrobe!

How to choose handmade clothing in the summer

There are four key design elements to consider when picking out sustainable clothing for the summer.

• Breathable and lightweight designs: Think flowing cotton, roomy sleeves, and open necklines.
• Loose-fitting and generous cuts for comfort: Free size or one-size garments will help keep you cool.
• Sun protection with strategic coverage: Long hems with a loose fit, such as a long kaftan or sun dress.
• Incorporating vibrant and cooling colors: It’s scientifically proven that the colors white, yellow, grey, red, and blue can help keep you cool!

Handmade clothing for a sustainable summer wardrobe

These handcrafted kimonos and kaftans can be used swim cover ups for days to the beach or relaxing by the pool.

Floral summer kimonos for a luxurious spa or home spa look

Sumptuous with a gorgeous block print, any one of these floral kimonos will have you feeling like royalty as you indulge in a spa day or self-care day. It’s the perfect gift for Mother’s Day, brides-to-be, and birthday celebrants.

• US Women’s Size Range: Size 6 – Size 18
• 54 inches long
• Removable belt
• 2 front pockets
• Lightweight cotton

Long kaftans for a glam resort outfit

Whether spending the day on a gourmet food tour or a relaxed beach, a free size, handmade dress is a fantastic choice when you want to look put-together and feel comfortable. The generous fit in our long kaftans allows for free movement, while the cotton fabric grants much-needed breathability during warm summer days.

• US Women’s Size Range: Size 6 – Size 18
• 52 inches long
• Adjustable waist string
• Exclusive main print and border print
• 100% cotton

Short kaftans for a casual, elegant summer style

Throw on a short kaftan as a quick bathing suit cover up, or style it with jeans and cute sandals for an effortless summer look. The lightweight fabric and cut are made for warm weather, though you can layer this tunic top on cooler days.

• US Women’s Size Range: Size 6 – Size 18
• 36 inches long
• Handmade tassel on waist string
• Select prints made of natural plant dye
• Comfort fit tunic top/kaftan dress

Sustainable accessories

Embrace these conscious choices and a make a statement in more ways than one.

Tote bags for your important travel items

Colorful and spacious tote bags hold your essentials and exude a relaxed, vacation-ready vibe.

Silk scarves for a timeless look

Elevate your summer ensemble with a sophisticated silk scarf in cooling, river-inspired hues and designs.

Why buy sustainable and handmade clothing?

Buying handmade clothing means high-quality, ethically produced garments. When you purchase handmade clothing, you’re also supporting sustainable fashion by doing business with credible vendors. These ethical vendors not only care about the environment, but they often help preserve local crafts and/or advocate for social activism.

Environmental impact of fast fashion

Fast fashion describes the business model by which companies mass produce cheap clothing that follow trends (often high fashion collections). This affordable fashion comes at a huge cost to nature. Environmental pollution from production and disposal, the carbon footprint of international shipping, chemical use from dyeing and finishing, and production of synthetic fabrics are all negative effects of fast fashion.

Not to mention the waste produced from poor quality clothes that only last a season or two, the majority of which ends up in landfills in the US.

When you shop handmade clothing, you’re making an eco-conscious choice! It’s not a compromise, but rather a statement about what you want the world to look like today and in the future.

What are the benefits of choosing sustainable, handmade clothing?

There are many tangible benefits of choosing handmade summer clothing.

Reduction in carbon footprint

Unlike the mass-produced garments of fast fashion, handmade clothing is crafted with a smaller environmental impact in mind. Local artisans often utilize eco-friendly materials sourced from local sources, create products in small batches or with a made-to-order business model, and adopt low-energy production techniques, owing to handcrafted methods.

Our resort wear collections are made on demand and in small batches, ensuring we don’t create excess or waste.

Support for local artisans and communities

Handmade garments are the result of skilled craftsmanship passed down through generations, preserving cultural traditions and techniques. When you choose sustainable handmade clothing, you become a patron of local artisans and communities who take pride in their work.

This support empowers local economies, bolsters community resilience, and helps maintain the fabric of cultural heritage. Each purchase becomes a vote for fair wages, ethical practices, and the continuation of artistry that might otherwise be lost in a sea of mass production. In this way, sustainable handmade clothing becomes a tangible bridge that connects you to the stories, skills, and livelihoods of those who pour their heart and soul into creating pieces that are as unique as they are meaningful.

High-quality materials and craftsmanship

Opting for sustainable handmade clothing brings the undeniable guarantee of high-quality materials and meticulous craftsmanship. These garments are a testament to the dedication and skill of artisans who prioritize excellence over mass production, reducing the need for frequent replacements.

This focus on quality guarantees that your wardrobe is composed of items that stand the test of time, allowing you to revel in both fashion and functionality.

Longevity and timeless style

Embracing sustainable handmade clothing bestows the gift of longevity and timeless style upon your wardrobe. These meticulously crafted pieces are designed with enduring elegance in mind, transcending fast fashion’s ephemeral nature.

A commitment to timeless aesthetics not only reduces the pressure to constantly refresh your wardrobe but also cultivates a personal style filled with individuality and authenticity. Sustainable handmade clothing becomes a canvas for your unique expression while minimizing the churn of disposable fashion—in other words, less textile waste and more of showing your best self!

What materials are best for sustainable handmade summer clothing

While there are many fabric blends that combine natural and synthetic materials (e.g. rayon), we still prefer natural fibers like cotton and hemp, alongside reclaimed or upcycled materials.

Organic and natural fibers (cotton, linen, hemp)

When it comes to crafting sustainable handmade summer clothing, choosing organic and natural fibers is instinctual. Organic cotton, grown without synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, promotes soil and waterways health. Linen, derived from the flax plant, requires less water than conventional cotton and boasts excellent breathability, making it a good choice for summer attire.

Hemp is another versatile choice, as it’s naturally pest-resistant and requires minimal resources to grow. These fabrics not only reduce the environmental impact of your wardrobe but also ensure comfort during warmer months, allowing your skin to breathe and stay cool.

Upcycled and recycled fabrics

Incorporating upcycled and recycled fabrics into handmade summer clothing further enhances its sustainability quotient. By repurposing pre-existing textiles, you contribute to waste reduction and give new life to materials that might have otherwise been discarded.

Upcycling transforms vintage garments or unused textiles into unique, one-of-a-kind pieces, adding character and charm to your wardrobe. Recycled fabrics, often made from post-consumer materials like plastic bottles, reduce the demand for virgin resources and minimize the carbon footprint associated with fabric production.

Consideration of dyeing methods (low-impact dyes, natural dyes)

The choice of dyeing methods significantly influences the environmental impact of handmade summer clothing. Opting for low-impact dyes, which require less water and energy compared to traditional dyeing processes, contributes to water conservation and reduces chemical runoff.

Alternatively, natural dyes provide a unique, nature-inspired color palette that resonates with summer’s natural aesthetics such as the all-natural dyes in our red and earthy grey Crimson Carnations print.

Handmade clothing for a more sustainable wardrobe

In handmade clothing, every stitch, every thread tells a story of dedication, care, and a deep-seated respect for cultural legacies and the environment. As you wrap yourself in these gorgeous, eco-conscious garments, you embrace a future where style and sustainability walk hand in hand. Whether you pick up a handcrafted luxury summer kimono or a block printed tote bag, you’re making a commitment to a better world where style harmonizes effortlessly with sustainability.

Shop Ethical Resort Wear