The Best Sustainable Clothing for Kids That’s Easy On Your Wallet & The Planet
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With how quickly kids outgrow clothes, it can feel like you’re fighting a losing battle to make their fashion choices a little more eco-friendly. It’s easier to buy from fast fashion, knowing that your kid might grow out of that shirt, pair of shorts or jeans within a year, but as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s (IPCC) latest climate report showed, everyone could do a bit more. Ultimately, corporations need to make large-scale changes in order to help cut emissions and keep the planet from warming quickly, but when you’re shopping, you can reward companies that are trying to make a difference vs. ones that just want profit.
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We did some digging and found some sustainable clothing options for kids and teens. There are companies out there creating high-quality organic clothing that’s built to last and be handed down to siblings or friends or donated. They may even be made out of recycled materials. The clothes are more classic and less trendy, so they’ll never go out of style. Many brands are also cognizant that most parents shop online, so they’ve made efforts to reduce packaging waste or go totally recyclable. Others are working hard to clean or rebuild ecosystems while they work.
Scroll down to read about seven companies that have eco-friendly (and adorable) clothes that your kids will love.
H&M
We know, we know. In many minds, the retailer is (understandably) synonymous with fast fashion, but hear us out. The retailer has made a concerted effort to be more eco-friendly. This past fall, we spoke to fashion designer and bestselling author Eva Chen about her collection with H&M and the concerted effort she and the retailer made to make these clothes perfect for handing down.
“When you look at the collection, you’ll see that a lot of the pieces are very trend-forward,” she tells SheKnows exclusively. “But at the same time, there are a lot of timeless elements to it. And that was a conscious decision of mine,” she says before sharing the sweet story of how she sends boxes of hand-me-downs to her friend Erica’s kids, and now Erica is sending those clothes back to Chen for her youngest to wear.
What an adorable sisterhood of the traveling hand-me-downs situation.
H&M is also focused on sustainable solutions and has goals to have 100% recycled or other sustainably sourced materials by 2030 and become fully circular by 2040. “The collection was designed with ‘pay it forward’ durability in mind in materials such as recycled cotton, recycled polyester and TENCEL Lyocell,” the company said in a press release. “Each style is meant to be loved now — and later, when it’s outgrown, it can be passed down to others … H&M is proud to have its kids’ department currently stand at 91% recycled or other sustainably sourced materials.”
Teddy-fleece-lined Denim Jacket
$29.99 $59.99 50% off
We especially love this extra-cozy jean jacket from Eva’s collection because she tells us the Canadian tuxedo (wearing denim on top and bottom) is totally in. And who are we to argue with the style icon?
Ribbed Jersey Top
$6.99
H&M is also known for its affordable staple pieces. This ribbed T-shirt with lightly ruffled sleeves also comes in solid black, white, and light pink. And at $7 each, they’re a no-brainer for every little girl’s closet!
Hanna Andersson
When she founded Hanna Andersson in 1983, Swedish mother Gun Denhart had sustainability in mind. She intended to create high-quality clothes that would be loved and handed down, so she was anti-fast fashion before fast fashion really became our way of life. Also, many Hanna Andersson clothing items are created with organic cotton, one of the most sustainable fabrics.
One of our favorite things about Hanna Andersson is their Pre Loved Hanna-Me-Downs program where consumers can shop and sell pre-loved Hanna Andersson styles!
Soft Black HannaSoft™ Mommy & Me Set
$Prices Vary
Hanna Andersson also sells matching family pajamas (photo opp!) that come in their new, ultra-soft Tencel fabric that is, of course, certified to be safe from hundreds of harsh chemicals.
Double Knee Slim Sweatpants
$46
Not to get super gender norm-y, but Hanna Andersson knows just how rough little boys can be when playing. That’s why they’ve reinforced the knees of these sweatpants that come in more than half a dozen fun colors. That way they’re sure to last longer.
Print Play Dress with Pockets
$44
You had us at “pockets!” Hanna Andersson is known for its bright and fun colors, and this dress is just as cute when it’s worn on its own on a hot sunny day as it is in the fall paired with leggings and a cardigan. Plus, we love the STEM print.
Pact
This environmentally-friendly clothing company only makes clothes out of organic cotton. The packaging is post-consumer recycled paper and cardboard, which is 100 percent recyclable. When you order, you can check the carbon footprint that the order created and find out options for offsetting it yourself.
Everyday Strappy Scoop Bralette 3-Pack
For the t(w)eens in your life, we love that Pact offers sustainable bras, bralettes, and camisoles. Not sure how to shop for bras with your kid? We’ve got you *ahem* covered with helpful tips.
Featherweight Slub Hooded Pullover
$48
This lightweight sweatshirt is perfect for your eco-conscious teen who insists on living in a hoodie. *Sigh*
Mon Coeur
Mon Coeur was created by Louise Ulukaya who, after the birth of her son in 2018, was inspired to “create better things in a better way for a long-lasting planet.” And thus began the Mon Coeur journey. The brand’s clothes are produced in Portugal with European-sourced, recycled, and upcycled fabrics.
Through the company’s “New Again Program,” used kids clothes are repurposed and upcycled, and 1 percent of sales goes toward the preservation and restoration of the environment via the nonprofit 1% For the Planet.
“Being part of a sustainable movement is not only about the material, but how the clothes are made and by whom they are made,” the Mon Coeur site says. “… We are dedicated to care for our workers and we only work with suppliers, manufacturing companies and countries where employees are treated with care, respect and professionalism – where there is a minimum wage, where no child is allowed to work or allowed nearby a factory.”
Recycled Cotton Giraffe Baby Pants
$44
Look at the little baby giraffe on these little ! The style of these oh-so-cute, gender-neutral bottoms is perfect year-round.
Recycled Cotton Binocular Kid T-shirt
$40
For little adventurers, we love this that can be paired with shorts in the summer or layered over a long-sleeve shirt on colder days.
Burt’s Bees
Burt’s Bees takes sustainability seriously — and has taken steps to make sure their factories, their materials, and their packaging are better for the planet. They use renewable energy, recycle the water supply, and have a third party audit their facilities to make sure they are meeting ethical standards of labor, health and safety, and more. They are committed to using GOTS-certified organic cotton and their packaging is so thoughtful that they’ve even considered the impact of their ink.
“Printing using soy-based ink, which is easier to remove than petroleum-based inks, making the paper it is used on more easily recycled,” the company says.
Colorful Sea Turtles Footless Sleep & Play
$14.95
When it comes to their clothing, Burt’s Bees is probably best known for their pajamas is a cute and colorful reminder of why we shop sustainably in the first place: to save the sea turtles and save the planet.
Chambray Button Down Shirt & Raised Rib Pant Set
$39.95
C’mon! How cute is this set that is perfect for everything from baby’s first picture day to family celebrations to dinner at a local restaurant?! Your little guy will look so handsome.
Organic Ribbed Tunic & Legging Set
$28.95
Can you tell we love a good set? And a good ruffle? What’s fun about this one is that you can also mix and match the pieces with other tops and bottoms for endless possibilities!
Parks Project
Parks Project is one of our favorite places to shop for eco-conscious teens. Since their founding in 2014, the company has given more than $2.6 million (and you can see that number climb on their site!) to the national parks. And a lot of that money comes from their super cute clothing.
Yellowstone Geysers Trail High Pile Fleece
$140
This fleece, inspired by geysers at Yellowstone National Park, is probably one of the most recognizable pieces of Parks Project merch. So if you have a super trendy t(w)een, this is the way to go.
National Parks Fill In Tee
$38
For families who frequent the national parks, this tee that has the full list of parks is a must. Each time you visit a new oasis, you can grab a marker and color in the accompanying circle.
Retro Hiker Fleece Jogger
$110
I mean, does it get much cozier than these fleece joggers? And if you’re thinking, “Those look way too retro for my teen,” fear not! The look is trendy once again.
Native
Time to cover some teeny tiny toes! If you’re looking for eco-friendly footwear, we’re all about Native shoes. They’re made from excess algae (!!!), which helps to clean both the water and the air. The company claims that one pair of Native shoes cleans 70 liters of water (more than 100 large coffees!).
Kensington Treklite Child
$33 $65 49% off
These Kensington Treklite boots for kids have a neat and classic design. They’re water resistant, easy to clean, and the stretchy side panel means they’ll fit your kids for longer. A major plus considering how fast their feet grow!
Jefferson Child
$45
The Jefferson Child shoe has more than 5.6 thousand rave reviews — and for good reason. Shoppers say they’re easy to get on and off (even for kids to do themselves!) and that they also clean up well.
“We couldn’t make it through summer without this shoe!” one shopper said. “It’s all my son wears all summer. I can’t even figure out how a bright green rubber shoe goes with everything, but they do! Thank you for an amazing product – amazingly durable and easy to clean.”
“Can’t recommend them enough!” another said.
Chase Big Kids
$45
If those tootsies need even more room to breathe, Native has you covered with their line of sandals. The Chase sandals have adjustable straps and grippy treads, meaning they won’t slide off on the playground!
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