Given that children outgrow clothes quickly and need frequent wardrobe updates, sustainable kids clothing has become a focal point in the textile and fashion industry.
This demand for ethical children’s fashion has led to a positive shift with more brands focusing on sustainable kids clothing, making them more accessible and popular.
Here are some of the best sustainable brands that offer style, comfort, and a commitment to better practices. These brands for known for their high-quality materials, ethical production processes, and dedication to making the world a greener place.
Why Eco-Friendly Clothing Matters for Kids
Eco-friendly sustainable kids’ clothing is crucial for for several reasons.
One, the fast fashion cycle profoundly impacts our environment, and children’s clothing significantly contributes to this issue. Kids tend outgrow clothes every six months (even more frequently for babies), leading to a cycle of increased production and waste. To add to the problem, many are made from synthetic materials which are non-biodegradable.
Choosing sustainable children’s clothing tackles these environmental challenges head-on.
Plus, they introduce the concept of stewardship to young minds. Durable and made to last, most sustainable clothing withstand repeated wear and are handed down, thus reducing waste and supporting a circular economy.
Moreover, sustainable clothes are made from organic materials that do not rely on the harsh chemicals used in traditional farming. This means the clothes are safer for the environment and healthier for children to wear. (No microfibers!)
By opting for eco-friendly clothing, parents can ensure their children are dressed in garments that are good for both their health and the planet.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Eco-Kids Apparel
When selecting eco-friendly apparel for children, it’s essential to consider several critical aspects to ensure you are truly making a sustainable choice. Here are some factors to keep in mind:
1. Understand Important Certifications
Certifications are helpful in guiding eco-conscious parents to the brands that are doing it right. These include GOTS, OEKO-TEX amongst others.
GOTS Certification: Indicates the textiles are organic and produced with ethical labor practices.
OEKO-TEX Certification: Ensures the garments have been tested and are free from harmful substances.
These certifications are vital as they help identify products that adhere to sustainable fashion norms and ethical production standards. Learn more about certifications here.
2. Prioritize Ethical Production
Choose garments that are manufactured in factories committed to fair labor practices. This includes providing fair wages, maintaining safe working environments, and upholding workers’ rights by avoiding forced or child labor.
3. Support Local Production
Opt for brands that produce clothing locally to reduce the environmental impact associated with transportation. This in turn also supports local economies and ensures better oversight of production practices.
4. Avoid Harmful Chemicals
Select clothing that minimizes the use of toxic chemicals in dyes and finishes.
These chemicals are not only harmful to the environment but can also pose health risks to workers and consumers.
5. Embrace Circular Economy Practices
Look for brands that engage in circular economy principles.
This could include offering take-back programs for old garments, using recycled materials, and other recycling initiatives. These practices help minimize waste and extend the life of the fabrics, contributing to a more sustainable fashion industry.
13 Sustainable Children’s Clothing Brands We Love
1. Tentree
Gender neutral clothes
Size: 12m to 5T
Tentree isn’t just a clothing brand; it’s a movement for the next generation that focuses on environmental responsibility.
Their durable and ethical children’s fashion clothing line includes a range of apparel, from hoodies, joggers, t-shirts to accessories like baseball caps. The clothes are made from friendly fabrics
Like TENCEL, HEMP, and recycled polyester, have reinforced stitching to ensure they can withstand and survive rough play and be passed down from one sibling to the other.
Our favorite Pick: This gender-neutral black crew neck t-shirt. A staple, timeless classic your toddler or big kid needs in their wardrobe.
Why We Love Tentree: For every item we purchase, Tentree plants ten trees! That’s their way of contributing directly to global reforestation efforts and support ecosystem regeneration, and capture carbon.
Their commitment extends beyond tree planting; all Tentree products are made with an Earth-First approach. This includes maintaining fair and safe working conditions and utilizing only sustainably sourced and recycled materials.
2. Boody
Sustainable basics and innerwear
Size: NB-18 months
Boody is a pioneer in sustainable children’s clothing, specializing in supremely comfortable, soft, and breathable basics made from organically grown bamboo viscose. Their meticulous approach to fabrication ensures each piece fits perfectly, enhancing the comfort of essentials like undies and socks that sit close to sensitive skin.
Our Favorite Pick: This Baby Long Sleeve Onesie, a cozy and gentle choice for your little one.
Why We Love Boody: Boody champions eco-friendly practices by utilizing bamboo, a naturally organic material that grows rapidly without pesticides, insecticides, or fertilizers. Bamboo plantations are also beneficial for the environment as they produce 30% more oxygen compared to an equivalent area of trees and significantly reduce carbon dioxide.
Fun fact: Did you know bamboo requires a third of the water needed for cotton and contributes to better air quality?
Boody did which is why they opt for bamboo and use recycled water during production.
3. Colored Organics
Organic Cotton Clothing line along with toys, baby gear and nursery essentials
Size: babies and Kids up to 6 years
Colored Organics stands out with its honest, ethical, and irresistibly adorable approach to children’s clothing. Their organic cotton line ensures no child labor is involved in the manufacturing process. Instead, they employ adults who work by choice in safe conditions, receive fair wages, and benefit from medical coverage.
Our Favorite Pick: Mato Seersucker Collared Romper, perfect for stylish comfort.
Why We Love Colored Organics: Their commitment goes beyond creating cute clothes. They maintain sweatshop-free production environments and prioritize the health and well-being of their workers by capping working hours and providing necessary benefits.
4. Tabeeze
Baby Basics
Size: 6-24 months
Tabeeze sets a high standard for baby clothing with their focus on quality and safety. All of their products are made from 100% GOTS Certified Organic materials, ensuring no harmful substances touch your baby’s skin.
They specialize in clothing for all babies, including those in the NICU or with special medical needs, and they offer significant discounts to support these vulnerable groups.
Our Favorite Pick: Bottom-Up Bodysuit. These innovative bodysuits feature patented Shoulder Snaps and fumble-free snap alignment, designed to simplify changing times by making it easy to dress your baby from the bottom up—reducing stress for both baby and parent.
Why We Love Tabeeze: For every purchase made, Tabeeze donates an item to the NICU, supporting both newborns in need and the environment. As a Certified B Corporation and a member of 1% For The Planet, their commitment to ethical manufacturing and environmental stewardship is clear, making them a trusted choice for parents.
5. Mightly
Sustainable Cotton Kids’ Clothes
Size: NB to 24 months
Mightly is committed to using only Certified Organic Cotton in their children’s clothing line, steering clear of harmful pesticides and synthetic fertilizers. Founded by Tierra Forte, a trailblazer in fair trade practices, Mightly ensures their clothes are as good for the earth as they are for your kids.
Our Favorite Pick: 100% Organic Cotton Long Sleeve Pajamas. These pajamas are not just comfortable; they are designed with your child’s safety and coziness in mind, providing a perfect solution for a restful night’s sleep.
Why We Love Mightly: They focus on creating a positive environmental impact and supporting fair labor practices. By choosing organic cotton and maintaining high ethical standards, Mightly offers parents peace of mind and children comfort in their everyday wear.
6. Mini MATE
Eco-Friendly Children’s Clothing
Size: Newborn to 7 years
Mini MATE champions the use of non-toxic, natural, and organic materials in their children’s apparel. By adhering strictly to a list of banned substances, they ensure every item is safe from harmful chemicals, making their clothes as healthy as they are stylish.
Our Favorite Pick: Mini Organic Cotton Classic Tee. This GOTS Certified tee features a relaxed fit that’s perfect for everyday wear, ensuring your child stays comfortable and stylish without compromising on health or environmental standards.
Why We Love Mini MATE: Mini MATE’s recycling program repurposes old garments and factory scraps, emphasizing a sustainable product lifecycle that benefits both the planet and the people on it. This thoughtful approach to fashion makes Mini MATE a standout brand for eco-conscious families.
7. Little Green Radicals
Organic & Fairtrade Clothes for Babies & Kids, Designed for Life
Size: Newborn to 8 years
Little Green Radicals uses organic cotton to make their children’s clothing soft, durable, and gentle on the skin.
Our Favorite Pick: Bluebirds UPF 50+ Recycled Sunsafe Sunsuit. This suit not only protects your child from the sun but also promotes sustainable fashion with its eco-friendly materials.
Why We Love Little Green Radicals: As one of the first adopters of Fairtrade cotton, they help ensure that farmers receive a fair and stable price for their crops, along with a premium that supports their community’s welfare.
8. Patagonia
Pioneering Environmental and Animal Welfare
Size: 0-5 years
Patagonia leads the way with its robust environmental responsibility programs that reduce carbon emissions and transform their manufacturing process.
Our Favorite Pick: Kids’ Down Sweater. This sweater features a shell made from 100% postconsumer recycled nylon from recycled fishing nets, reducing ocean plastic pollution, and is insulated with 100% Recycled Down for warmth in colder conditions.
Why We Love Patagonia: Patagonia’s efforts are aimed at systemic change within the industry, promoting sustainability not just in its products but in how those products are made. Their bold approach to tackling climate change involves innovation and advocacy, striving to set new standards for environmental responsibility in the fashion industry.
9. Bounce Mkt
All Gently Used Baby Styles
Size: 0-12 years
Bounce Mkt is all about adorable, gently used baby clothes and accessories from trusted brands. Their mission is to keep used kids’ clothes out of landfills and in circulation within the community, promoting a culture of reuse and sustainability.
Our Favorite Pick: As they’re always receiving new, one-off stock, check their New Arrivals for inspiration!
Why We Love Bounce Mkt: They make second-hand shopping a viable, eco-friendly option for parents, ensuring that pre-loved clothing is not only affordable but also a stylish and sustainable choice.
10. Little Blueberry Kids
Environmentally Friendly, Naturally Hypoallergenic Clothing
Size: 0 – 8 years
Little Blueberry Kids is dedicated to producing high-quality, sustainable clothing that can be passed down to siblings or friends. They focus on small batch production from women-owned brands, ensuring ethical sourcing and manufacturing.
Our Favorite Pick: HappyMess – Vichy Bucket Hat. This reversible bucket hat not only offers versatility with its design but also supports sustainability with a mix of 60% cotton and 40% recycled polyester.
Why We Love Little Blueberry Kids: Their commitment to environmental friendliness and hypoallergenic materials makes them a prime choice for parents seeking sustainable, gentle clothing for their children, fostering a better planet for future generations.
11. Q for Quinn
Woman-Owned & Operated, Committed to Fair Trade
Size: Under 2 years to 12+ years
Q for Quinn sets itself apart in the children’s apparel market with high-quality, organic basics that foster positive change. Sourcing materials from family-owned, GOTS-certified facilities, the brand supports ethical production and contributes to healthier lives for workers and their families.
Our Favorite Pick: Oatmeal Tights – 98% Organic Cotton. These classic rib-style tights are versatile enough to match any outfit and are made from toxin-free, certified organic cotton. Ethically produced in Portugal, each pair sold continues to support Q for Quinn’s mission of providing meals through Mary’s Meals.
Why We Love Q for Quinn: For every pair of socks sold, Q for Quinn donates a meal to a child in need, having already donated over 200,000 school meals.
12. Jackalo
America’s First Circular Kids’ Clothing Brand
Wear, Play, Return
Founded by Marianna Sachse in 2020, Jackalo is driven by a commitment to sustainability and durability in children’s wear. They design robust clothing that can withstand active play and be handed down. As a pioneer of the circular fashion model for kids, Jackalo offers a buy-back system to ensure that clothes are repaired, resold, or recycled, helping to reduce waste and promote a circular economy.
Our Favorite Pick: Jules Shorts – Orange Chambray. Perfect for summer adventures, these surf-inspired shorts are made from organic cotton chambray broadcloth, featuring an elasticated waist and four deep pockets for kids to stash their treasures.
Why We Love Jackalo: Their innovative approach to sustainability through a circular fashion model ensures that their garments are not only durable but also environmentally friendly.
13. Ten Little
Little Feet, Big Adventures!
Size: NB to 6 years
Ten Little was founded to make shopping for children’s essentials effortless and stress-free.
Our Favorite Pick: Long Sleeve UV Sun Suit. This suit is designed to protect young ones from the sun while keeping them comfortable and stylish. Made from non-toxic 50+ UPF fabric, it’s ideal for keeping children safe whether they’re wet or dry, featuring a soft, stretchy, quick-drying material that’s gentle on sensitive skin.
Why We Love Ten Little: Right item, right size! Their personalized platform tailors product selections to the developmental stages of children, making it easier for parents to find the perfect sustainable kids clothing sizes without the hassle.
We hope this list has given you some great inspiration to clothe your little ones in sustainable threads!
