Remember that sustainable fashion is a growing industry, and new options may become available as the market evolves. Keep an eye on fashion news, blogs, and social media for the latest updates on sustainable fashion in Australia for Spring/Summer 2024.

Out With the Hoodie, In with Floral Prints

Spring Summer 2024 Sustainable Fashion Options For Women in Australia

Australia has several sustainable fashion brands prioritizing ethical practices and eco-friendly materials. Here are some notable spring and summer sustainable fashion brands in Australia:

Spring and Summer Sustainable Fashion Brands in Australia

1. Spell & The Gypsy Collective: Spell is a famous Australian brand known for its bohemian-inspired designs. Their collections use sustainable fibers like organic cotton, linen, and recycled materials.
2. Arnsdorf: Arnsdorf is a Melbourne-based brand that emphasizes transparency and sustainability. They produce their garments locally and use natural, eco-friendly fabrics such as organic cotton, Tencel, and linen.
3. Kitx: Kitx is a high-end fashion brand founded by Australian designer Kit Willow. They are committed to using sustainable materials and ethical manufacturing processes. Their collections feature modern, luxurious designs from organic, recycled, and upcycled fabrics.
4. Nobody Denim: Nobody Denim is an Australian denim brand that prioritizes sustainability throughout its production process. They utilize eco-friendly technologies like water and energy-efficient machinery and incorporate recycled materials into their denim products.
5. The Great Beyond: The Great Beyond is a sustainable fashion brand that offers minimalist and versatile designs for both men and women. They use eco-friendly fabrics like organic cotton, hemp, and bamboo to create timeless pieces.
6. Outland Denim: Outland Denim is a social enterprise that produces premium denim jeans while providing employment opportunities for vulnerable women. They focus on ethical manufacturing and use organic cotton and recycled materials in their denim production.
7. A.BCH: A.BCH is an Australian brand committed to creating sustainable and circular fashion. They use materials like GOTS-certified organic cotton, hemp, and recycled fibers. A.BCH also offers a take-back program to recycle their garments.
8. Vege Threads: Vege Threads is an ethical and sustainable fashion brand specializing in casual and comfortable clothing. They prioritize organic and eco-friendly fabrics in their collections, such as organic cotton and Tencel.
9. Good Studios: Good Studios is a South Australia-based brand that embraces slow fashion principles. They create timeless, gender-neutral pieces using sustainable fabrics like organic cotton, hemp, and linen.
10. KITX: KITX is another sustainable fashion brand founded by Kit Willow, known for its high-end designs. They focus on craftsmanship, natural fibers, and sustainable production processes using organic cotton, hemp, and silk materials.

These are just a few examples of sustainable fashion brands in Australia. Each brand has its unique style and sustainability practices, offering a range of options for conscious consumers looking for spring and summer fashion.

Floral Prints and Pretty Colours are Back!

After decades of tight leggings, sweatpants, oversized tops, torn denims, flip flops and a general sloughy dress code, pretty dresses are making a reappearance. Floral prints and pretty colors are back and so are the longer silhouette, with maxis being the big trend this spring.

Most of us when we open our cupboards though, it's not a line of pretty dresses that meets us. On a daily basis, most women don't wear a pretty dress. We wear pants of some sort and a top of some sort.

When did this change and why? And are we going back to women embracing their femininity again? 

Why Women Love to Wear Leggings 

Anywhere you go, you are likely to see the majority of women and girls in leggings and a top, not a dress. Let's look at some reasons for this phenomenon.

• Women wearing pants is a natural progression that started during the world wars when women wore similar uniforms to men for the sake of practicality. Once women realized that it was more comfortable to wear pants, and it became acceptable for women to be seen in them, there was no turning around.
• The modern world doesn't require women to dress up every day. In the past, society expected women to wear dresses for all occasions and all activities. It was expected of a "proper" woman. That's an old-fashioned idea that's no longer relevant or adhered to.
• Growing up, some girls are teased for being sissies when they like wearing pretty pink dresses. In school, they stand out like sore fingers among a sea of jeans and t-shirts, so they hide their need to be pretty for fear of being rejected.
• Compared to pants, dresses are impractical. For instance, in a sudden gust, wearing one can be highly embarrassing.
• With the increase in sexual violence, many women feel more vulnerable in a dress. Wearing a dress immediately announces you as a woman, a target for predatory behavior and unwanted attention.
• Dresses are very limiting as a fashion item. It's only one piece of clothing and that's that. With separates, you can mix and match and have a wider range of outfits to wear.
• A dress naturally requires a dressier shoe, like high heels, which many women find uncomfortable to strut around in all day. 
• To look really good in a dress, it should be tailor-made for each woman's body shape. Only wealthy people can afford the services of dressmakers and tailors, the rest of us must do with mass-produced clothing that, for the most part, is ill-fitting. Pants and tops lend themselves more to less tailored styles that look good on most bodies. 

These are some of the reasons for the demise of department stores and restaurants filled with women in pretty dresses. Pretty dresses are also equated with being a member of the weaker sex – a being that should be attractive and demure.

The Image of the Modern Woman in 2024

So, we have rejected this image of women and replaced it with what? Women dressed in ski pants, shorts, and torn jeans with skimpy tops, bras as outerwear sometimes covered with a bomber jacket. 

This state of affairs is partly due to a reaction to femininity seen as weak and partly due to a broad societal trend to dress more casually. Let's face it, men also don't dress up anymore. When last have you seen a man wearing a dinner suit or polished shoes? In general, people are caring less about how they look in public. Just go down to your local store for confirmation. It's unlikely that you'll find a woman wearing a pretty floral dress and heeled sandals doing grocery shopping.

Navy Amour Amour Ruffled Midi Dress by Belle & Bloom available via Local Threads 

Have We Really Rejected Dresses And Femininity?

Not according to fashionnetwork.com – according to the website, florals are the hottest runway trend for Spring/Summer 2024, with a 17% growth rate from prior years.

The publication writes: "The design vision is clear: more expressive than ever to lift the mood. The enchanting energy of updated floral styles clearly reflects the positive consumer mind-sets of the moment."

Flowers took center stage on the runways, with major design houses like Ralph Lauren showcasing the most feminine of spring dresses in soft floral prints that any woman would feel beautiful in.

Bolder, More Vibrant Colours and Floral Prints 

Some designers came up with bold designs in vibrant colors, while others showed more subdued designs in soft pastels. 

Far from symbolizing the weaker sex, the spring 2024 florals are bold in shape, size, and color, allowing the wearer to make a bold statement that speaks of confidence. Bold florals are symbolic of the empowerment that women feel and want to express. 

We may not be wearing dresses every day, but dresses are still the preferred garments for special occasions. 

Ivory & Black Angie Smocked Dress by Ripe Maternity via Local Threads

Where Can You Get Pretty Floral Dresses By Sustainable Brands In Australia?

For Australian women who are not afraid to reclaim their womanhood and their love for something pretty, but also want to support slow fashion, Local Threads is the solution. 

Local Threads is the largest online marketplace for ethical fashion from Australia's best independent brands. The brands featured on the platform go through a rigorous selection process to ensure that their products and practices support local businesses and sustainable practices.

For the prettiest floral dresses for spring, look out for these brands on Local Threads: Belle & Bloom, Zoha Online, Lakeyo, Azzurra the Label, and Matea Designs.

Final Thoughts

For years, many little girls have been dressed by their mothers in trousers, leggings, shapeless t-shirts, and baggy jumpers. Little girls growing up were discouraged from playing with Barbie, liking pretty things, and dressing up in something frilly because of the belief that somehow it showed weakness. But, dresses do not equal weakness.

Florals and dresses are making a comeback, and if you or your child like wearing dresses, go ahead. You won't be seen as weak. Just as empowered women.