Fashion
17 Fair Trade & Ethical Prom Dresses, Because The Big Dance Is Your Chance To Make A Statement
Prom is a special night for every upper class high school student. It's an excuse to dress up, go to a fancy dinner with your friends, and make a statement about who you are outside of math and French class. This year, you could even make a little difference in the world by rocking a fair trade prom dress.
Fair trade shopping can be hard enough, and trying to find a truly fair trade prom dress can require extra research — but they are out there! Click through for 17 awesome, ethically made options that are just as pretty as any department store gown.
Classic LBD
Prom dresses don’t have to be big and fluffy and pink (unless you’re into that). I kinda envied girls who went with plain colored dresses and dressed them up with their accessories and makeup. Bonus: An LBD like this can be worn over and over.
Trudy Twist Dress in Black, $90.61, peopletree.co.uk
Short And Sweet
When I first saw the girls of Laguna Beach wearing short dresses to their prom back in 2005, I thought they were crazy. Now, short prom dresses are practically a must, which makes sense, since they’re so much easier to dance in than floor-length gowns.
Morning Empress Beaded Dress, $69.99, novica.com
Pretty In Pink
This dress is sooo sweet. According to Helpsy, it was handmade in Australia and is the perfect combination of whimsical and feminine. Slip dresses are totally trending, BTW.
Angie Lu Lucy Short Sleeve Pink Dress, $280, shophelpsy.com
Be Mysterious
Fair trade dresses don’t mean you need to skimp on the beading. This gown practically BEGS to be twirled in.
Mystique Dress, $300, us.monsoon.co.uk
Be Elegant And Bold
I think high necklines are so elegant on prom dresses, especially when paired with sheer details. And the best part? You don’t have worry about finding a necklace to match!
Jasmine Dress, $300, us.monsoon.co.uk
Sparkle For Social Justice
Tulle + Maxi Dress + Fair Trade. Need I say more?
Noni Maxi Dress, $700, us.monsoon.co.uk
Pocket Full Of Sunshine
You will definitely turn heads in this hi-low bright yellow gown embellished with its own flowers.
Natalie Prom Dress, $438, us.monsoon.co.uk
Gatsby-Inspired
Your classmates will wonder if they’ve stepped into Daisy Buchanan’s house instead of your prom venue once they see you in this floor-length dress that’s embellished with sequins, crystals, and gems.
Halle Maxi Dress, $438, us.monsoon.co.uk
Baby, You're A Firework
Look like fireworks with this floor-length, falling beaded dress. According to Monsoon, this dress was inspired by Hollywood glamour. Yep, I can see it.
Angelina Dress, $300, us.monsoon.co.uk
Classic Prom, With A Twist
This dress was created with a classic prom look in mind – clinched waist, fitted bodice, and cut to fare out. But it has a bit of a twist on it with the polka dot bodice and elegant floral design.
Belle Prom Dress, $300, us.monsoon.co.uk
Gatsby Again
Does anything say “Jazz Age” more than fringe at the bottom of a tea-length dress? I love all the colors here.
Mabel Dress, $350, us.monsoon.co.uk
Create Angles
All the beading on this dress is sure to catch more than a few eyes on the dance floor.
Irene Maxi Dress, $612, us.monsoon.co.uk
Long Sleeved Perfection
Long-sleeves are not usually what you think about when it comes to prom dresses. But with the elegant beading against the sheer arms of this dress, I’m going to be spending the next few days thinking about how less glamorous my prom dresses looked compared to this gown.
Eliza Maxi Dress, $350, us.monsoon.co.uk
Full-Bodice Lace
Prom is the perfect excuse to wear lace all over. This black dress is so timeless.
Alesia Maxi Dress, $525, us.monsoon.co.uk
Edgy Glam
Go totally edgy with your prom look in this bias slipdress from Helpsy. The dress has a choker necklace and a low back, all crafted with eco-friendly fabric.
Titania Inglis Plunge Slipdress, $298, shophelpsy.com
Major Comfort
This dress is made with eco-friendly knit fabric and a bias cut, making it crazy comfortable — especially for a prom dress.
Titania Inglis Solid Helix Dress, $495, shophelpsy.com
Fit And Flare
Another retro style, without going full-on flapper.
Giselle Maxi Dress, $525, us.monsoon.co.uk
