'Tis the season to party! Yet finding the all important party dress is somewhat of a conundrum for a slow fashionista. A dress should flatter and delight you as well as your audience, yet your outfit typically enjoys a short life. To top this, we want to dress the talk - wear an ethical piece of couture that will last as vintage. Here's the low down on the best ethical dresses to buy right now that will survive as vintage with a little TLC.

To be part of the slow fashion movement, wearing a dress with an eco conscious label isn't enough. Your chosen dress demands a terrific return on investment, and that means caring for clothes to ensure its journey towards vintage and beyond. That's why, as part of The GIN Lady's series on slow fashion, I have posted a dedicated piece on how to best care for our dresses to ensure their integrity for years to come. In the meantime, what to wear?!

NOIR'S SEXY ETHICS

Noir has to be one of the sexiest labels with ethics today. Its “demi-couture” outfits are synonymous with luxury fabrics and its mix of rock’n’roll tailorings and feline style is worn by the likes of Naomi Watts and Sharleen Spiteri. Take this Noir Emilie Dress. Its fairly traded black silk crepe dress has a rock chick edge with its leather tie at the gathered neck. If you're looking for a LBD with an edge, look no further than this sexy number. At £499 though, it does require a significant investment, but if you care for it beautifully, it'll make many encores to much applause, year in, year out.

 
PEOPLE TREE FOR EVENING

People Tree just get better and better and offer a diversity of gorgeous ethical party dresses to choose from. One of my People Tree favourites is this Stripe Silk Shirt Dress. And not just because it's been reduced to just £100 - be quick! I'm loving its ethical city chicness, its black silk stripe, and the fact it's sexy and doesn't give it all away. And it's so flattering with its feminine waist tie. Designed by Bora Asku and made under fair trade terms in Bangladash, what's not to love?! You'll look ever so smart and stylish in this great value black number.

LARA MILLER'S SUSTAINABLE STYLE

Soy, hemp, organic cotton and peace silk. It doesn't get more sustainable than Lara Miller's Izzy Dress, and so is the price tag at £155. This gorgeous black dress will hug your figure beautifully and features a delicious ruffled silk neck and hem detail. And it's so versatile, as you can wear it to parties or dress down with a pair of jeans and wear as a dress tunic. This classic beauty will be worn on many an occasion.

FRENCH ETHICAL CHIC

The ethical chic label Les Fees de Bengale delivers gorgeous styles on all fronts. And at great prices too! This Rose Dress is made from organic cotton and is oh so pretty with its embroidered lace neck detail, satin ribbon empire line tie and cuff detail. I'm also liking the understated bubble bottom hem tie which could be easily restyled for future seasonal wear if you so wish. This dress will flatter those wanting to hide or warm their arms, will show off your bust and is effortlessly chic. Did I mention it's only £75?! What are you waiting for?!

BAMBOO GRAMMERCY DRESS

Now that we have the important LBD covered, it's time to add a splash of colour. I've had my eye on this Grammercy Dress by ethical label Doie for some time now. The Doie woman is "stylish, sociable and comfortable in her clothes and her own skin". And you would feel comfy in this dress as it's made with bamboo, and I'm loving the splash of majenta around the waist, hem and sleeve. This dress can be worn during the day, or accessorised up for an evening soiree. At £123, it's great value too!

FIN'S SLOUCHY DRESS

Why this dress is called the Slouchy is anyone's guess. If I was wearing this dress I'd be flirting my stockings off! It's just so feminine and designed to show off our female curves and accentuates the waistline. Made by the fabulous FIN label from Scandanavia its fabric is 100% crisp organic cotton in 'red' chocolate truffle colour. The Slouchy Dress' capped sleeves are very fetching as well. A great investment for only £180.

SILK TRAPESE DRESS

I'm absolutely in love with this Trapese Dress by Wildlife Works. You'll certainly make an entrance in this fabulous peacock green mini dress made from pure French silk (available in Jade as well). Its contemporary design, asymmetric button up back and mandarin collar was assembled in an African eco-factory and aids wildlife conservation. Its the jewel colour and unique pattern that gets me. What do you think? At £290, I think this is worth the spend if you work out the wear to cost ratio over years.

JULIE SMITH HOBO DRESS

Designed and made in London, Julie Smith is a label to be reckoned with. If you're looking for a silky sheen to your party dress, you'll love this hemp silk bronze mix in this Hobo Shift Dress. Down the back it also features an assymmetrical cream collar and buttons to add a little something different to the design. You'll shine at the party in this Hobo Dress.

AMANA'S MALIKA DRESS

To be honest, there's nothing on Amana's online shelves that I wouldn't want to buy. Their clothes are simply stunning! Amana's Malika Dress is made from indigo organic silk dyed with low impact dyes and also features a bamboo bust panel and dress pockets. So sexy!

JAMEELA DRESS BY AMANA

The Jameela Dress is another outfit from Amana's Collection and again oozes sex appeal! And at £85, this sustainable sexy bamboo dress in soft grey is superb value. Its soft tailoring is divine and will surely get you noticed!

SILK PLEAT DRESS

This Silk Pleat Dress by Wildlifeworks is so original and striking, it is in some ways my favourite. This ethically made silk georgette scoop neck dress features deep pleats and puff sleeves and its double layered dress drapes elegantly over the bust and has beautiful hand painted print detail in yellow, white and red. This number is definitely a talking point and as such a great ice breaker. I love.

VINTAGE MARILYN

Now for something totally unique as there's only 3 of this dress in existence. Could you be the lucky owner of this exclusive dress by Enamore for mygreenlipstick.com? Because it's made from vintage fabric, there was only enough material to make 3. I'm loving the jewel colours, cut and the feminine halterneck. This will surely bring out the Marilyn Monroe in you. Without a doubt, you'll definitely stand out from the crowd in this super original dress. And because it's not a slave to trends, you'll be wearing this dress for many years to come.

Above features some of the best ethical party dresses around to strut your stuff as well as feel good about yourself. If you're unable to make your own dress, then the above fabulous ready to wear dresses will do the trick.

For more fashion ideas, visit our Ethical Fashion & Natural Beauty section. And don't forget to enter our fabulous prize to win £300 of eco luxe clothing from mygreenlipstick. Competition ends 10th December.

To take the best care of your dresses, read our top five tips to extend your dress life.