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When we first introduced this piece, there were few brands focused on creating truly non-toxic clothing for young children. Some of them have since disappeared, while others no longer meet our standards. Nevertheless, we thought it was time to dig deeper to find more children’s clothing brands that are accessible, affordable, and non-toxic.
Speaking of chemicals, there are some serious flaws in the children’s clothing industry these days, especially with the rise of fast fashion and its ultra-cheap appeal. Sure, kids quickly outgrow their clothes, but the truth is that feeding your kids low-quality synthetic clothing is more harmful to their health and development than you might think. is far more harmful.
If you’ve lived here long enough, you’re probably familiar with PFAS. PFAS are a class of chemicals called “permanent chemicals” that remain in the body for long periods of time, and these chemicals have been found in children’s clothing.
Children’s clothing brand Crann Organic recently conducted a study using items from inexpensive online fast fashion platforms intended to be worn by children. They utilized a third-party certified laboratory to test for toxic contaminants that are proven to be harmful to healthy growth and development. The experiment found extremely high levels of lead, a powerful neurotoxin, as well as phthalates and formaldehyde, which are linked to endocrine diseases that affect growth and development and several types of cancer. revealed. Acute effects may include skin and lung irritation.
If your child has sensitive skin or multiple chemical sensitivities, it’s important to pay attention to the dyes used to color their clothing. Dyes can be particularly harmful to children with prolonged exposure, increasing the risk of acute allergic reactions such as contact dermatitis and difficulty breathing. Most synthetic fibers, including polyester and nylon, require colorants such as azobenzene dyes to maintain their colorfastness, whereas natural fibers are more resistant to colorfastness. Staining is easier with natural and organic compounds.
The list of toxic chemicals that can be included in a child’s wardrobe is long, but brands that are committed to chemical management to provide safer clothing without these chemicals are: There are many. As sustainability and health concerns gain increased support in the fashion industry, many brands are making major changes to the way their clothing is produced. For example, Levi’s has made significant advances in its chemical management policy since 2020, as it was one of the first brands to introduce its own list of restricted substances.
Children’s clothing made with natural fibers and strong chemical management policies is becoming easier to find at your local shopping mall. It all comes down to knowing where to shop and what to look for. Check out our roundup of the best brands of organic and non-toxic apparel for babies and kids.
What to look for in ethical and sustainable children’s clothing
Non-toxic: This may be the most important part to you, and for good reason. Developing humans are more sensitive to small amounts of potentially harmful chemicals. That’s why we prioritized baby and children’s clothing with non-toxic certifications such as Oeko-Tex, bluesign and Ecocert. Some brands are still too small to afford their own certifications and only work with suppliers and manufacturers that have such certifications. Most of the brands below use organic cotton, but you can also look for natural, skin-safe fabrics like Tencel, hemp, wool, and linen.
Ethical manufacturing: It goes without saying that you don’t want your kids making children’s clothes. The following brands prioritize transparency and fair and safe conditions for their employees.
Resale Value: Your baby grows up fast (sorry!). If my baby outgrows the clothes within a month, can I get my money back on a site like thredUP?
The best brands for sustainable and non-toxic clothing for babies and children are:
A caring mother set out to create non-toxic clothing for her son with eczema and was successful. Crann Organic works with the same mothers and nurses to provide parents with the option to accommodate children with skin sensitivities and dress their children in Oeko-Tex certified clothing free of harmful dyes and chemical additives. Founded by Master. The brand uses skin-friendly fabrics such as organic cotton, Tencel Lyocell, and Tencel Modal.
Certification: Oeko-Tex, GOTS
Size: 2 to 12 years old
Price: $20 – $56
Available in: US and Canada
Pehr creates thoughtfully designed children’s clothing, from basics to outerwear to swimwear, using only 100% organic cotton. We also have a “Match Your Mini” line in kids’ and women’s sizes. Because this brand uses organic dyes, some products may fade over time, but with proper care, they can stay beautiful for a long time.
Certification: GOTS
Size: Newborn~Adult
Price: $16 – $110
Available countries: Worldwide
Completely based on 100% organic cotton and dyed using GOTS-certified dyes, the brand offers a carefully selected selection of baby and children’s clothing. We cover tops, bottoms, and pajamas, and we also offer a set of knee patches to repair damaged areas if worn.
Certification: GOTS
Size: Newborn~Adult
Price: $9 – $37
Available countries: Worldwide
Nui Organics is passionate about wool and it shows. This natural fiber is used in many of the brand’s offerings, alongside blends of merino and silk and lyocell-tencel. The brand also uses fibers such as alpaca wool and organic cotton to create a full wear line, from socks to outerwear.
Certification: GOTS, Oeko-Tex
Size: Newborn – Adult 3XL
Price: $18 – $144
Available countries: Worldwide
Hanna Anderson has a huge selection of truly adorable organic clothing and accessories for babies and kids, including a huge collection of character clothing from your child’s favorite Disney, Pixar, Marvel heroes, and more.
Certification: Oeko-Tex
Size: Newborn – 14 years old
Price: $10 – $55
Country of availability: United States
German brand Infantium Victoria is a one-stop designer shopping hub for high-impact children’s fashion. Every garment is brought to life by the founder and designer, the mother herself. The entire catalog is made from 100% organic cotton and produced in India under strict chemical controls and fair labor practices.
Certification: GOTS
Size: 6 months – 16 years
Price: $40 – $330
Available countries: Worldwide
If you’re looking for an eco-friendly raincoat for your child, check out Faire Child. With a focus on circularity, the brand makes durable waterproof jackets, rain pants and hats made from recycled plastic bottles, which can be recycled endlessly once your child has outgrown the coat. We have a pick-up program that allows you to do so. Everything is ethically handcrafted in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia.
Certification: Oeko-Tex, GRS, Bluesign
Size: 2 – 10 years old
Price: $40 – $140
Available countries: Canada
Finn + Emma’s super cute clothes for babies and toddlers are made from 100% organic cotton, non-toxic eco-friendly dyes, and lead/nickel-free snaps with coconut inserts. Everything is ethically made in India.
Certification: GOTS
Size: Newborn – 4T
Price: $4 – $80
Country of availability: United States
The brand is dedicated to using only fully circular, 100% organic cotton and organic deadstock fabrics to create its vast line of children’s clothing. Everything from T-shirts and dresses to pants and shorts can be purchased, worn, and sold back to Jackalo for a percentage of the original price, where they will be recycled and transformed into something new through the TradeUp program.
Size: 4-14
Price: $25 – $125
Available countries: Worldwide
H&M has certainly come a long way in its sustainability efforts. The 2024 Product Compliance Report reflects this, limiting many harmful toxins such as PFAS and BPA. It offers children’s clothing made from organic cotton sourced through its Better Cotton Initiative, and its baby line is certified Cradle to Cradle Gold, meaning it’s made from 100% organic cotton. Masu.
Certification: Cradle to Cradle Gold Certification (0-2 years old)
Size: Newborn~Adult
Price: $7 – $60
Available countries: Worldwide
The famous brand’s clothing may contain large amounts of synthetic fibers, but Levi’s takes chemical management seriously and holds each manufacturer and supplier to standards, including a list of restricted substances. Masu. If you’re not a fan of synthetic fibers or synthetic blends, this brand offers a number of options made entirely from cotton. Its extensive catalog includes everything from dresses to jackets.
Certification: Some suppliers have GOTS and/or Oeko-Tex certification
Size: Newborn~Adult
Price: $12 – $100
Available in: Worldwide (site specific)
Another mass-market brand with a strong chemical management program is Nike, which leads the way in recycled synthetic fibers and restricted substances lists. The list of omitted chemicals includes certain dyes, formaldehyde, heavy metals, PFAS, and more. The brand features everyday wear and sportswear in a wide range of styles and sizes. You can also look for the “Sustainable Materials” label in online product listings.
Size: Newborn~Adult
Price: $12 – $175
Availability: Worldwide (site specific)
Old Navy may have had a reputation for synthetic fibers, but the brand has been steadily moving toward organic natural fibers and chemical management for several years. The company’s latest move in chemical management is to remove all PFAS from its product line, which includes performance wear such as leggings. A trusted source for jeans and cotton essentials for kids, we also have a baby line with a wide range of 100% cotton options.
Size: Newborn~Adult
Price: $4 – $64
Available countries: Worldwide
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