Are you on the quest to lessen your consumption but struggle to do so when your kids are constantly outgrowing clothes? Moreover, have you given any thought to the environmental impact of your kids’ wardrobe? I don’t want to to bum you out, but all I can say is woof.

According to a 2018 report from Quantis, the fashion industry is actually one of the most polluting industries in the world. The apparel and footwear industries combined account for more than 8 % of global climate impact

Related: The best places to sell your clothes (and 10 tips on how to do it!)

The solution? Shopping second hand, and buying sustainable kids’ clothing when you purchase new.

Why should you shop sustainable kids clothing brands?

Well, leaving behind an inhabitable planet seems like reason enough, but there are more reasons why you should consider shopping sustainably for your child’s clothing:

  1. You’re protecting the environment: Fast fashion and cheaply-made clothes are often produced using harmful chemicals and synthetic materials that are not biodegradable. Not only are those fabrics you don’t want on your kiddo, they also end up rotting away in landfills or polluting waterways. In fact, according to EPA estimates, the US alone discards 34 billion pounds of used textiles annually. (That’s more than 100 pounds per person, per year. ) By choosing sustainable options, you can help reduce the amount of waste produced by the fashion industry.
  2. You help promote ethical labor practices: Many clothing companies, especially those that produce fast fashion, rely on sweatshops and underpaid workers in developing countries. By supporting sustainable and ethical clothing companies, you can ensure that the people who make your child’s clothes are treated fairly and paid a living wage.
  3. You set a positive example: Our children learn from us, and by choosing sustainable and ethical clothing options, we can teach them about the importance of protecting the environment and supporting ethical labor practices. After all, the future of our planet is at stake and we’re handing them the baton eventually.

But shopping sustainably doesn’t mean sacrificing style or quality. There are plenty of sustainable clothing companies that offer trendy and well-made options for kids.

Here are five sustainable kids clothing brands that believe in limiting the impact we have on the earth for our children, and are truly making a difference in the future.

Hanna Andersson

From their long standing commitment to sustainable fabrics and quality to their Preloved program to shop and sell secondhand Hannas, Hanna Andersson has spent almost 40 years doing right by our kids and the planet. In fact, the hand-me-down quality is a hallmark of the beloved brand.

Inside each piece you’ll find a “This belongs to” label with space for multiple names, and since their pajamas seem to fit for years, it’s safe to assume a single pair could stay in rotation long enough to be considered vintage. And because how they’re made is just as important, Hanna Andersson only products in factories that provide fair wages and safe working conditions for their employees.

Don’t miss: The aforementioned pajamas which come in adorable styles for the whole family.

Jackalo

After years of frustration with the clothing options for her active older son, and a total lack of hand-me-downs (due to wear and tear of kids clothes) for his little brother, Marianna Sachse founded Jackalo to bring back old-fashioned quality to kids clothing.

Jackalo’s mission is quite simple: Change the way kids clothing is produced and what happens when kids have outgrown them. Aside from practicing organic and sustainable farming practices, Jackalo offers discounts on future purchases when customers send back their used Jackalo products for repair or trading. Here’s how it works: when your kid outgrows any Jackalo clothing item, send it back to them in exchange for a $15 discount on your next purchase. They will clean it, make any necessary repairs, then post it for resale at a discount. Anything that can’t be repaired will be upcycled or recycled responsibly.

Don’t miss: The ultra cozy Kai Sweatpants which are designed with extra length which can be rolled up or down, allowing them to fit for longer.

The Sunday Collective

New on the scene in 2021, NYC-based The Sunday Collective creates some of the most effortlessly stylish sustainable clothing for kids. From the ultra-cozy sweats in the TSC Naturals Collection, to the retro styles of the NYC-inspired spring collection, every piece is made with natural and sustainable materials, such as organic cotton, linen, and Tencel. They also use non-toxic dyes and source fabrics local to their factories in an effort to reduce their carbon footprint. Sustainably minded every step of the way, they also use renewable and recyclable packaging and work with ethical production and shipping partners to get the goods to you.

Patagonia

Patagonia doesn’t just sell high-quality sustainable products. As their bold (and proven) tagline suggests, “We’re in business to save our home planet.” Widely recognized for its impressive initiatives towards sustainability and environmentalism, the brand has donated millions of dollars to environmental causes and launched campaigns to protect public lands, fight climate change, and reduce pollution.

Equally impressive? The quality and design of the clothing itself. Their packable down winter gear is unmatched, keeping little ones warm without the bulk. Come summer, we’re longtime fans of their reversible baby bucket hats for beach days and poolside hangs. Each piece is made with the utmost craftsmanship which makes them not only great hand-me-downs, but pieces you can easily resell when they’re outgrown as well. Check out their in-house Worn Wear program to buy, sell or trade-in used Patagonia pieces.

Mini Rodini

After a decade in the world of fashion illustration, Cassandra Rhodin saw a void in the children’s clothing market–stylish, high-quality apparel that also prioritized ethical and eco-friendly production. Determined to change the game, Rhodin founded Mini Rodini in 2006, building the brand around her signature whimsical designs and a steadfast commitment to sustainability.

Mini Rodini’s mission is to create clothing that’s not just impossibly cool, but is made with the utmost care for the planet and its future inhabitants. Sourcing only organic, recycled, and environmentally-friendly materials, the brand produces its trendsetting collections in ethical, fair-trade facilities. But Mini Rodini’s dedication to circularity doesn’t stop there. The brand also offers a unique upcycling program which makes use of leftover fabrics which other brands would normally discard. From these scraps they create coveted small batch collections called Mini Rodini Upcycling spanning everything from puffer jackets and leggings to blankets and bibs.

From cozy, adventure-ready basics to show-stopping printed sets, Mini Rodini’s elevated kidswear has amassed a devoted following among style-conscious parents around the world. And with the brand’s unwavering commitment to sustainability, parents can feel good about dressing their little ones in these heirloom-quality designs built to last.

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