We love adding a few new cute dresses to our closets every Summer and what makes the haul even better is when it’s sustainable. Wearing eco-friendly fashion is beneficial for the environment and you so it’s really a win win when buying. Let yourself enjoy the beauty of the Summer knowing that what you’re looking good in didn’t harm the things around you. Seriously, there’s major benefits of choosing to buy from a conscious brand.

Benefits of Buying Sustainable Fashion:

• no toxic chemicals that damage the earth and your body
• better quality materials
• less packaging
• no animals or humans hurt in the making

To make an easy purchase we’ve rounded up a list of a few incredible sustainable brands with some of their super cute summer dresses:

Ovate

Timeless and poetic, Ovate handcrafts items with romantic minimalism flowing throughout it in Montreal. Audrey and her right hand Gabrielle, craft the items from start to finish using the finest natural fibers like cotton, hemp, wool, silk and linen.

Salomé Linen Dress (Natural) by Ovate

Wallis Evera

When you want to look like a boss, these guys have got you covered. Vancouver based believers that “dressing well is more than just looking good”, Wallis Evera brings high quality, locally made, natural fibre clothing to working women.

Lila Dress (Smoke/ Plum) by Wallis Evera

Ramonalisa

Look oh so eco-chic with Ramonalisa and show the world that green is in, for good. With clothing made sweatshop free in Montreal, they stand by the motto “live for today, dress for tomorrow”, which is something we should all keep in mind!

Wallaby loose fit angel sleeve tunic by Ramonalisa

FRANC

There’s nothing like a classic t-shirt dress to get you feeling the carefree summer vibes and Franc, has the perfect option for that with modern basics ethically made in Canada. With looks you can wear time and time again, their clothes are made in quality plant based fabrics, consistent sizes and looks inspired by you.

The T-Shirt Dress by FRANC

Encircled

Maximize quality over quantity with this Revolve Dress, aka the ultimate wearable 6 in 1. Made with low-impact dyes and sustainable fabric blends, encircled ethically creates pieces that let’s you free up a little more space in your closet.

The Sleeveless Revolve Dress by Encircled

As our new year’s resolutions are often focused around grand goals for wellness, spirituality and physical fitness, we often forget about our daily routines and how small changes can go a long way towards helping us feel better, lighter, nurtured and more conscious.

One of the simplest ways we can enhance our daily wellness is by turning a conscientious eye to our make-up counters and beauty products. Mindful beauty purchases not only benefit our bodies, they are also a great way to nurture our hearts and planet. Further to, when we purchase from companies that are conscientious about their ingredients, we are supporting brands that have oftentimes chosen to put the well-being of their customers ahead of mass profits, by sourcing responsible, quality ingredients that are truly beneficial to our bodies. And as part of our 2019 resolutions, why not absolve to part with our hard earned money responsibly and exchange it for products that serve us not only from a beauty perspective, but from a heart perspective as well?

Here are 5 of our favourite Canadian clean beauty products and companies to try this year:

Boosh Lipstick 

Boosh is a small-batch lipstick company from western Canada that develops bold and fun lipstick shades without the chemicals, food-dyes and petroleum-based fillers. All colours are limited to season so get them while you can!

Image from boosh instagram 

Altilis Beauty 

With a strong focus on sustainability, Cambridge, Ontario-based Altilis Beauty focuses on incorporating environmentally-sound and highly effective natural ingredients such as breadfruit into its soothing and nourishing products.

Image from AltilisBeauty instagram

Woodlot

A sublime combination of self-care products for your skin and and home, Woodlot offers a stunningly simplistic line of soy-based candles, room sprays and skincare inspired by the rituals of previous generations and aligned to a planet-forward lifestyle of the future

Image from Woodlot instagram

Graydon Skincare

Graydon Skincare is developed with superfoods (think chia, avocado, blueberries and more!) and pure plant-based ingredients which the company strives to source from Canadian growers and manufacturers as much as possible, creating products that feel luxurious while being effective and highly nourishing.

Image from Graydon Skincare instagram

Cocoon Apothecary 

Beautifully crafted with quality organic botanicals and high-end green chemicals, Cocoon Apothecary is a plant-based vegan line that is biodegradable and highly effective with top tiered serums that perform amazing on all skin types.

Image from Cocoon Apothecary instagram

Image Credit

Natalie Walters

Living in the city doesn’t mean we can’t support local on a regular basis. Joining or buying from a food co-op is a great way to participate in the sustainable food community. Check out some of the top food co-ops in Toronto.

1. West End Food Co-op — 1229 Queen Street West, Toronto ON

“Food, Close to Home’— Come on down and see what has been seven years in the making – built by the community, for the community.

West End Food Co-op has a variety of made in-house baked goods, soups and snacks. Run mostly by volunteers; they have a cannery, run various food workshops and a year-round farmers market. They connect local farmers to the local community at Queen and Dufferin

A lifetime co-op membership is only $5 giving access to daily food discounts and in-store Monthly Member Specials

Image Credit: @westendfoodcoop

2. Karma Co-op — 739 Palmerston Avenue, Toronto

One of Ontario’s oldest “one-stop” shop for the conscious consumer.

With a variety of frozen and prepared foods, Karma Co-op carries over 200 bulk items; that is organically produced fresh from dozens of Ontario farms. They provide health supplements and the highest quality of eco-friendly packaged goods along with a diverse range of natural health, beauty and household products.

Located in the heart of the Annex, Karma Co-op has convenient store hours and an incredible community. By joining Karma, you become part of a member-owned, democratic co-op that provides ethically sourced, healthy, delicious food and sustainable household products to its community.

Image Credit: @Karma.coop

3. The Big Carrot Co-op — 348 Danforth Ave Toronto ON

“Toronto’s first health food store that specializes in organically grown, non-GMO and environmentally safe products since 1983.”

The Big Carrot Co-op is more than your average health food store; they carry groceries, body care, supplements and much more. They offer high-quality products, friendly and informed service and ongoing public education to make natural food selection easy for the Danforth and Broadview community.

Healthy food education is the centre of what The Big Carrot Co-op stands by. Knowing the difference to make a difference is key to making every dollar count. The Big Carrot is proud to be Ontario’s first retailer to certify to the new Canadian Organic Standard.

Image Credit: Carrot Common

4. Berry Road Food Co-op — 150 Berry Road, Toronto ON

“Better Food. Stronger Community.”

In June 2018, Etobicoke can welcome one of the newest co-ops in the province is the Berry Road Food Co-op.They will be providing organic, locally and responsibly sourced products at lower prices to the community.

They will also be working with community partners to improve the health and well being of residents and give them more insight into the food they are buying. Anyone can shop at the Co-op, but for $10.00 you can be a part of our sustainable food community and receive exclusive sales and discounts on store items for a lifetime.

Image Credit: Berry Road Food Co-op