If there’s one thing that modern parents have in common, it’s staying busy. From getting everyone up, dressed, fed, and out the door in the morning to reading bedtime stories at night, time is a luxury.
The last thing you want to think about is an extra load of laundry for a picky dresser or how to scrub tomato sauce from an intricately woven collar. But let’s face it: kids are messy. What’s a health-conscious mom who wants to be environmentally friendly to do?
The answer is easier than you might think - stock up on sustainable basics!
In this article, we discuss why sustainability matters when selecting kids’ clothes, and why sustainable basics look great in any child’s closet.
What is considered a 'basic'?
Basics: think cozy shirts, comfy pants, and oh-so-soft undies that are gentle on the planet, easy to maintain, and make your skin happy.
What to look for in a sustainable basics brand?
Look for eco-concious brands that are transparent about the environmental and social impacts of fashion. Companies committed to sustainability will source eco-friendly materials and prioritize worker wellbeing.
Sustainable Fabrics
Check out these sustainable fabrics that offer unbeatable softness and durability: organic cotton, hemp, linen, and TENCEL™️ lyocell. Our personal fave? Organic cotton, hands down!
Ethically Made
For fashion to be sustainable, brands must prioritize ethical production. This means safe work environments and fair wages. A product cannot be sustainable if it is not ethically made.
Sustainable and Ethical Fashion Certifications
- Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) Certified
- Fair Trade Certified
- Better Cotton Initiative
- Bluesign Standard
- Cradle to Cradle
- Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production (WRAP)
- Certified B Corporation
- EcoCert
- OEKO-TEX Certified
Why Basics?
While there’s certainly a time and place for complicated and elaborate designs in children’s outfits—hello, birthday parties!—for everyday wear, simple clothing takes the cake. Does a child really need a faux leather collar or pockets studded with sparkling rhinestones? Probably not. When it comes to sustainable basics for kids, there’s an equal emphasis on both the “sustainable” and the “basic.”
Sustainable Basics Are Practical
- They’re durable. The likelihood of your child tearing that adorable (and flimsy) trim just a few minutes after getting dressed? Pretty high.
- They’re easy to clean. Fussy clothing is high maintenance, requiring a lot of extra time that moms would much rather spend playing with their kids.
- They’re just more fun! What’s the point of a lovely, collared shirt if it’s stiff as a board or if your little one will have to be extra careful while wearing it? Primary children’s clothing should be built for play, pure and simple.
They’re Comfortable
Helping a child get dressed can be a major challenge if their clothes have itchy stitching, endless buttons, or edges that feel harsh or irritating against their skin. While it’s important to fill your kid’s drawers with fun colors and cute designs, at the end of the day, it’s all about comfort.
Your child should be able to romp, jump, and explore with ease—after all, that’s what childhood is for! Plus, when kids have their pick of soft, comfy clothes, getting dressed in the morning is so much easier…and faster.
They’re Skin-Friendly and Non-Toxic
Have you ever noticed that kids are much more likely than adults to develop mysterious rashes and allergies? That’s because many children have sensitive skin. However, not only do synthetic fabrics trap moisture and heat which increases the likelihood of irritation, but a lot of children’s clothing is chock full of toxic chemicals that can accumulate in kids’ bodies.
Those scary substances can disrupt hormone production and are linked with things like cancer, thyroid disease, and decreased immunity. Moreover, many of the dyes and solvents that are used to produce children’s clothing are carcinogenic. Yikes!
The good news is that dressing children in clothing made from natural fibers like organic cotton and hemp ensures that you avoid all the bad stuff that makes kids itch while also protecting them from dangerous substances that can pose health problems down the line. And sustainable, natural materials are great for the earth, too! Triple win.
Re-Imagine Your Child’s Clothing
Building a wardrobe that’s filled with soft fabrics, fun colors, and sustainable basics is an important step toward creating a healthy, environmentally friendly home. At Crann Organic, we’re parents ourselves, so we understand that being committed to the well-being of your children and the planet is more than a full-time job—it’s a way of life.
That’s why we designed a line of eco-friendly, sustainable kids’ clothing that is ethically produced, socially conscious, and free from scary chemicals and toxic dyes. Best of all, our products are comfortable to play in and practical to care for—they’re clothes that every kid loves to wear.
