Ethically Made Linen Dresses

It’s officially summer so I’ll be reaching for my linen dresses to keep me cool! That’s why I was so excited when Pyne & Smith reached out and asked me to style one of their ethically made linen dresses from their Summer Collection.

This post is sponsored by Pyne & Smith. Thank you for supporting brands that support this blog!

Ethically made linen dresses from Pyne and Smith

About Pyne & Smith Clothiers

Joanna McCartney is the founder of Pyne & Smith and started her dressmaking career in 2014 after not being able to find beautiful and comfortable dresses that would keep her cool in the hot summer months. She gravitated towards linen because it’s a naturally breathable, durable, and low maintenance fabric – perfect for wearing in the summertime!

The Pyne & Smith brand is rooted in sustainability and ethical manufacturing. Their linen clothes are made in the USA in small batches from 100% fine European flax linen. Linen is a naturally eco-friendly fabric and Pyne & Smith doesn’t use harmful chemicals or dyes in the production process. Pyne & Smith also makes sure that their manufacturers are providing safe and clean working conditions, and fair wages. You can read more about Pyne & Smith here!

If you are looking for ethically made linen dresses then look no further because that’s what Pyne & Smith specializes in! Their dresses are simple and timeless with a vintage flair. And the best part? All of their dresses have pockets! Each season you’ll find a collection of dresses in beautiful solid colors and simple prints. There’s also a variety of dress styles from linen midi dresses to tank dresses to wrap dresses, and more!

Pyne & Smith linen swing dress with wooden clog sandals and basket bag

Pyne & Smith Model No. 28 Dress Review

After a lot of deliberation (it’s so hard to choose!), I went with the No. 28 Sleeveless, Swingy Linen Dress. I loved the gorgeous blue shade and minimalist shape. This is exactly the type of dress I love to wear in the summer. It’s loose, flowy, and simple enough to style multiple ways. Since I’ve gotten this dress I’ve worn it several times a week!

Sleeveless a-line linen dress with straw basket bag

ethically made linen dress from Pyne & Smith

Material and Style

Model No. 28 is an unlined, sleeveless, a-line midi dress made from 100% European flax linen and handmade in Los Angeles, California. The linen is described as medium weight and I think that’s accurate. There’s slight transparency in the fabric but I don’t feel like I need to wear a slip or anything. You can see from the photos that the material still looks opaque. And the linen is really soft! I have another ethically/sustainably made linen dress from another brand and the linen is not as soft as this Pyne & Smith linen.

Model No. 28 is actually one of their simpler style dress so if you are looking for something a little fancier – don’t worry! They have a lot of other styles to choose from. I almost ordered the Model No. 24 Summer Linen Dress. I loved the button neckline and the tie in the back – so cute!

Size and Fit

My Measurements: 34-29-39, 130lbs, 5’8″

The Pyne & Smith website does have a pretty detailed size chart and garment measurements – which is nice! I’m usually a size small across all brands but according to their size chart it looked like I might be an XS. I did ask the brand if I should go with an XS or small and they recommended that I take the size small. since the dress is a little more fitted at the top. I went with size small and it fit perfectly! So I definitely recommend taking your usual size. The bust measurement is really the only measurement you need to pay attention to because there’s a lot of room in the waist and hip area.

How to Style Linen Dresses

Since linen is a fabric that naturally wrinkles, I like to keep my styling simple and natural as well. The simplicity of this dress does mean that I had to put a little more effort into styling it. I opted for a bandana scarf to add some interest around the neckline. I thought my wooden clogs were also a nice compliment to the natural linen fabric. Finally, I added my straw basket bag and added some fresh flowers for a pop of color!

Now, I know that people don’t normally walk around with a bouquet of flowers in their purses (unless you’re shopping at the farmer’s market!). So another styling option would be to wear a statement necklace and tie the scarf to your bag instead for that pop of color. I LOVE the statement necklaces from History + Industry and think the natural wood and stone pieces would look amazing with this simple dress.

Are Pyne & Smith Dresses worth it?

I 100% believe that the Pyne & Smith linen is great quality and the dresses are well made. Their simple designs are really timeless and easy to style so I think that you’ll be able to have these dresses in your closet for a long time. I also love how hands-on this brand is. The brand’s founder, Joanna, is the one who reached out to me which makes me think that she is also very involved with all aspects of her brand.

I hope you enjoyed this Pyne & Smith review! If you have any questions, let me know in the comments or catch me on Instagram!