While it’s still rainy and gray in much of the country, spring is here and it’s time to pack up your heavy coats and sweaters and inject a little color into your every-shade-of-black wardrobe that’s gotten you through winter. Take cues from nature this year by investing in colorful florals (of both subtle watercolor inspiration and splashy 70s reinvention) and choosing dresses that pop with all the color of the tulips, daffodils and cherry blossoms sprouting all over. Since nature is the influence of the season’s look, why not also invest in items that are eco-friendly and won’t harm the earth? Dresses made with organic cotton, bamboo or other sustainable textiles may cost a bit more initially, but if you select classic pieces that will stay current with the trends through summer and into fall, you’ll easily earn your money’s worth in wear. Here are our top 5 eco-friendly spring dresses:

Alana Dress by Kelly B, $128

This dress has everything—decent price, 92% hemp material, on-trend ruffle—except for two straps. And that’s why we love it; the one-shoulder design fits perfectly with the disco inspired look popular on spring runways. Pair with some colorful accessories to lighten it up for spring and wear simply on summer nights as a little black dress hot enough to rival the temperatures.

Short Lace Trim Dress by Ecoganik, $134

Although the old adage “don’t wear white after Labor Day” is hardly a fashion rule these days, you’re still more likely to break out a dainty pale dress like this one by Ecoganik when the sun is shining. The reason it’s our recommended white dress this season—other than the fact that it’s made of 100% organic cotton—is its ability to suit a range of occassions, from beach barbecue to date night. Preorder it now at Nimli and save 20% using coupon code PREORDER09.

Carnation Dress by EcoSkin, $216 (currently on sale for $130)

For this dress the ruffle takes center stage, but don’t let that scare you; although you might worry about the layers adding to your frame, they’re actually great for masking a little bit of “winter weight”.  Made of 100% woven bamboo, the Carnation Dress is also as easy on the skin as it is on the eyes. Pair now with a long, thin cardigan and boots and don strappy heels with it in summer. Ocean-reminiscent Methyl Blue is pictured, but Festival Fuscia is available for the brave and traditional Black for the timid.

Tuxedo Dress by Fin, $360

Menswear-inspired womenswear is everywhere this spring (in fact, you’d be wise to do a little eco-friendly reusing of your own by borrowing your boyfriend/brother/roommate’s suit jacket), but for dresses we like the lightly menswear-inspired. This Tuxedo Dress has enough nods to the masculine side with tuxedo bib detailing, but won’t look dated when trends shift and still retains femininity with a drawstring waist and sleeves. You’ll pay a little more for the organic bamboo jersey its made of, but expect to wear this one for years to come.

Leona Racer Dress by Kelly B, $156

This could be the dress you’ll live in this summer. It’s a spearmint green color that’s been showing up on the fashion-forward for a couple months now, fits both flattering and flowy, and is primarily made of sustainable hemp. You can make it funky with a wide belt or leave it as is for easy elegance. Plus, since there’s a built in bra, toting this dress along on vacation means having to pack one less undergarment.

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