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Weโ€™ve researched and tested dozens of cotton house dresses โ€” these are our favorite options for their natural materials, comfort, and ethics across a range of price points. 

We love the house dress for its casual, loose fit, which is ideal for lounging around the house, running errands, or simply staying cool in the summer months. The options below are made from safe, eco-friendly materials, like organic cotton, and are great for errands, chores, and even meetings, whether on Zoom or IRL! Best of all: Many of them have pockets. Check out our affordable and sustainable picks; for the greenest choice, of course, try thrifting or going secondhand.

What is a house dress?

A house dress is a timeless wardrobe staple that dates back generations, when women wore simple, comfortable dresses to cook, clean, garden, and go about their daily routines at home. Designed with practicality in mind, traditional house dresses featured relaxed silhouettes, breathable fabrics like cotton or linen, and thoughtful details such as pockets, buttons, or pretty floral prints.

While the name may sound old-fashioned, the house dress has made a stylish comeback in recent years, especially thanks to the cottagecore aesthetic. Today’s versions blend that same effortless comfort with modern design, making them just as suitable for lounging at home as they are for running errands, visiting the farmers’ market, or enjoying a slow weekend morning.

Our criteria:

Weโ€™ve personally tested the following dresses, assessing fabric comfort, quality and texture, as well as pocket depth and placement. Weโ€™ve rounded up the best quality pieces that feel good, look good, and are versatile for chores, errands, and leisure moments alike. We update this list regularly with our emerging favorites that meet the following criteria:

  • ORGANIC/NATURAL MATERIALS | The brands below carry dresses made from nontoxic, organic cotton.
  • COMFORT | Each dress has been editor-tested and approved with a score of at least 8 out of 10 on the comfort scale!
  • ETHICS | Each brand is committed to ethical production and various sustainability initiatives.

Keep your feet cozy, too, with house shoes and voila โ€” your indoor/outdoor outfit is complete.


1. Pact

Biodegradable
Budget friendly
Eco friendly packaging
Fair trade
GOTS certified
Natural materials
Recycled materials
Size inclusive

Materials | Organic cotton
Size Range | XSโ€“2XL
Price Range | $58โ€“$138

A house dressโ€ฆwith pockets? Yes, itโ€™s true! Pactโ€™s organic cotton dresses are exactly what weโ€™re looking for. Flowy and flirty with pleats, tie-waists, pockets and more, these cotton house dresses effortlessly transition from work to home and vice versa. Like all Pact items, itโ€™s ethically made with organic cotton using 91 percent less water than conventional cotton.

Customer Review | “Did I mention comfortable? This is a lovely dress, and I found it so flattering. It hugged in the right place, and flared in the right place. I absolutely love it, and I recommend it!” – Lori K. (Read all reviews.)


2. Quince

Budget friendly
Eco friendly packaging
Natural materials
OEKO-TEXยฎ certified
Size inclusive

Materials | Organic cotton, Tencel, silk, European linen, Mongolian cashmere
Size Range | XSโ€“3X
Price Range | $30โ€“$110

Quince is here to make luxury quality affordable. The brand offers a wide variety of sustainably made house dresses without the high price tag. From Mongolian cashmere and organic cotton to European linen and silk, Quince uses premium, eco-friendly materials designed to last. Enjoy beautifully-made casual (and elevated!) dresses that donโ€™t compromise on quality or the environment.

Customer Review | โ€œAbsolutely love this dress! The top/bodice has some stretch, the working buttons have elasticized loops so I had no issue opening/closing them, there are pockets, and it’s fully lined! The v-front is flattering, but not too revealing and the ruffle on the shoulder gives a nice feminine touch. Shipping was also super fast! Can’t wait to order more styles from Quinceโ€ฆโ€ – Alexa A. (Read all reviews.)


3. EILEEN FISHER

B corp
Circular fashion
Fair trade
Natural materials
Second hand
Size inclusive
Woman owned

Materials | Organic cotton, organic linen, silk, Tencel
Size Range | PPโ€“PL; XXSโ€“3X
Price Range | $148โ€“$498

For dresses that can effortlessly take you from running errands around the house to a sunny lunch on a nearby patio, EILEEN FISHER‘s collection has you covered. These simple yet elegant dresses are crafted from high-quality, durable fabrics like organic cotton and linen, with thoughtful details that elevate each design โ€” from shirred necklines and hidden pockets to vibrant colors and beautifully textured weaves. As a certified B Corporation, EILEEN FISHER is equally committed to sustainability, embracing a circular business model that includes responsible manufacturing, a secondhand marketplace, and even creative initiatives that transform retired garments into works of art.

Customer Review | “Delighted with this puckered linen dress. Lightweight, airy, drapes well and super comfortable, packs effortlessly and best of all, available in my petite sizing.” – Anonymous (Read all reviews.)


4. Known Supply

B corp
Fair trade
GOTS certified
Gives back
Size inclusive

Materials | Organic cotton
Size Range | XSโ€“4XL
Price Range | $50โ€“$128

Known Supply is a certified B Corp that makes some of our favourite basics. Whether you plan to keep it simple and opt for a house dress you can wear to bed, or prefer a style you can dress up and run errands in, Known Supply has an option for you! As for materials, these dresses are made with 100 percent GOTS-certified organic cotton and are crafted in a Fair Trade-certified factory in India. Just throw it on and go about your day!

Customer Review | “I rarely find a dress on the internet that works for me. This dress fits perfectly, is well made, high quality and a wonderful dress for all ages. I look forward to buying other items from Known Supply.” – Lisa F. (Read all reviews.)


5. MATE the Label

1% for the planet
American made
B corp
Circular fashion
Climate neutral
Eco friendly packaging
GOTS certified
Natural materials
Plastic/Pfas free
Size inclusive
Woman owned

Materials | Organic cotton
Size Range | XSโ€“XL
Price | $188

Designed for everyday wear, these seasonless house dresses from MATE the Label are made to last. Each organic cotton and organic linen dress uses significantly less water and carbon than conventional fabrics. Free from harmful chemicals like pesticides and BPA, youโ€™ll ensure a sustainable impact with every wear!


6. Hackwith Design House

American made
Made to order
Natural materials
Recycled materials
Size inclusive

Materials | Cotton
Ethics | Sustainable & secondhand fabrics, made in the USA, secondhand shop available
Size Range | XSโ€“4X
Price Range | $140โ€“$255

Hackwith Design Houseโ€™s Sustain Shop is our go-to for inclusive house dresses that are affordable, sustainable, and ethically made. The Minnesota brand follows a limited production model, so its secondhand shop, Sustain is where youโ€™ll find samples and returns at deeply discounted prices, when available. These dresses, made of 100 percent cotton and 100 percent linen, come in varying shapes, sizes, and styles โ€” find the one that speaks to you!


7. Boody

1% for the planet
B corp
Budget friendly
FSC
Natural materials
OEKO-TEXยฎ certified
Size inclusive
Vegan

Materials | Bamboo viscose blend
Size Range | XSโ€“XL
Price Range | $37โ€“$76

If slip dresses are more your style, Boodyโ€™s is one youโ€™ll love. Designed for everyday wear, these house dresses are a TGT favorite, ideal for layering or wearing as is around your home. These slips are sustainable too, born from a bamboo viscose blend. With your purchase, youโ€™ll help save over 600 hours of LED bulb energy and 350+ liters of drinking water. Not bad for a dress starting at just over $35.

Customer Review | “My second purchase of the Everyday Slip. A must have if you like dresses. Superior quality and excellent value for money.” – Anel M. (Read all reviews.)