The general rule according to which the best solution is a wardrobe featuring a few, quality items that easily and perfectly match one another and that are easy and simple to maintain is not a rule that goes for adults only. Children’s fashion too should abide by the same principle if we want to avoid pollution and take better care of our children’s health.
Easy on paper and hard from a practical standpoint? Not really, because science and technology help us out, offering green solutions that are environment-friendly and delicate on the skin of babies and children.
We know that children grow up quickly and that some clothes, especially during the first years of their lives, are used for no more than a season. Therefore, low-cost apparel becomes tempting. But giving in to such temptation also means you’re settling for low quality items. This “fast fashion” also affects children’s apparel and basically means poor quality raw materials, terrible working conditions for those who make it and more pollution, since an item with a short shelf life is more likely to get thrown away.
Here are a few suggestions to help you choose the best sustainable items. Firstly, check the tag showing the composition and fabrics: sustainable apparel is certified by acronyms such as Oeko-Tex, Ocs or Gots, which guarantee that your purchase is sustainable and safe, because they monitor production and make sure that people, animals, environment and our children’s skin are protected.
For example, it is possible to choose items made in bamboo fabric, which is transpiring and absorbs humidity. Soft and comfortable, it is recommended for children too. Organic cotton has been grown without using pesticides and its raw processing makes it more resistant than normal cotton. For the winter you may resort to vegetable cashmere: very soft and transpiring, antibacterial and UV-resistant. Another option is organic wool, produced without using chemical agents and respecting the animals. As for the summer, the ideal solution is hemp, a highly-resistant, durable and non-allergenic fabric. Aside from environment-related reasons, bear in mind that synthetic and artificial fabrics can cause allergies and dermatitis in children. In this regard too, natural fabrics are different.
Something else you can do is purchase less but better, focusing on a minimal wardrobe, with items that properly match one another. Children’s fashion must be simple and comfortable and it should make use of basic colours for trousers and skirts, to be paired with t-shirts and cardigans that go well with them, featuring neutral colours such as earth, blue, grey, black and brown. You might want to consider accessories if you want to add a touch of fantasy.
Another solution to reduce our impact on the planet is to recycle clothes: pass them on from one brother or cousin to another, or find a store that recycles clothes in a good state.
Remember: from the very early age, green is good, less is better.
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