In part 1 of my series about creating a sustainable wardrobe for kids, I talked about buying second-hand clothing for the kids. Today I’m covering what to look for when shopping for sustainable kids’ clothing and some of my favorite sustainable kids’ clothing brands.
What does “sustainable” clothing even mean?
I’m a huge fan of Hasan Minhaj’s Netflix series Patriot Act. Yes, he’s very “millennial”, but I find him entertaining, informative, and hilarious. The episode on fast fashion is fantastic. If you haven’t seen it, watch it!
At one point in this episode, Minhaj says there is no actual legal definition for the term “sustainable.” And he’s right. Sustainability has no universally accepted definition. That being the case, it’s hard to determine what makes something sustainable. Is it enough to use recycled packaging? Or must the brand be zero waste, fair trade, and only use eco-friendly materials and processes?
Look, I’m a realist and I know changes, especially big ones, never come quickly or easily. It is not always possible to create a totally sustainable wardrobe for your kids (or for yourself, for that matter). Life happens and inconvenience can be a huge demotivator. But, I’m a big believer in doing what you can, when you can. So, when trying to create a more sustainable wardrobe for my kid, I generally look for 3 things:
#1: Good for the Planet
From water pollution to toxic chemical usage to waste, the fashion industry is one of the biggest polluters in the world. Thankfully there are options that allow us to make more earth-friendly choices, including materials such as organic cotton and TENCEL, which is a natural fiber made from wood pulp. Some brands also recycle or upcycle fabrics to create brand new products from existing resources.
#2: Good for the people making the clothes
Worker abuse and exploitation is common in the fashion industry. When we purchase from companies that allow this, we are complicit in their abuse. Ouch. Harsh, but true. Look for brands committed to fair trade practices. No one should suffer or diminished so our kids can wear cute, cheap clothes.
#3: Good for the consumer
Clothing should be safe to wear (see #1). This is especially true for our littlest humans and those with skin irritations, sensitivities, and allergies. Well-constructed clothing gives each piece a longer shelf-life, which means more kids can enjoy it after your kid has long outgrown it. It also provides opportunities to re-sell in the second-hand market.
Sustainable and Affordable Kids’ Clothing Brands
OK… here’s what you actually came for! My other big criteria for kids’ clothing is affordability. I would love to dress up my daughter in Stella McCartney’s kids line, which by the way, is very sustainable and green. But, yeah… not gonna happen.
These brands all have pieces in the under $50 range and fall into one or more of my “sustainability” categories.
Primary – I love Primary because they stick to the basics. No logos, no weird sayings. Their clothes are OKEO-TEX Standard 100 certified, meaning their fabrics are tested for 300 different chemicals and hold no risk to humans. Especially the little humans who wear their clothes.
Pact – Y’all know I love Pact. While they do not have the largest kids collection, their pieces are made using organic cotton and ethically made at very reasonable prices.
Hanna Andersson – My daughter has a few Hanna Andersson dresses and they feel pretty indestructible. Their fabrics are also OKEO-TEX Standard 100 certified and made of organic cotton.
Art + Eden is committed to transparency in their supply chain and reducing their environmental impact. They are a registered benefit corporation that use fair trade practices, recycled packaging, and sustainable materials, including organic cotton and recycled/upcycled polyester.
Tea Collection uses travel and different cultures to inspire their seasonal collections and committed to ethical sourcing and fair trade practices. They also donate 10% of their profits to organizations helping children around the world, including the Global Fund for Children and Little Sisters Fund.
Little Lentil Clothing offers up adorable organic cotton duds for your littlest ones (NB-4T). Their Send Back Program allows you to return their clothing once your little ones have outgrown them, so that you’re not left wondering what to do with them. They reuse, repurpose, or responsibly recycle them and you get 20% back on your next purchase.
Building a sustainable wardrobe for yourself or your kids can be a challenge. Just remember that every little bit helps. In the end, it’s about being mindful of how clothes are made and what happens after you’ve outgrown them.