While in the process of becoming a mom I am trying to find sustainable options for our little girl. For example: Where do I find her clothes? Clothes that she will only wear for such a short period in her life, because she grows so fast. Do I want to buy them new? Or do I choose for second hand? From which materials? Is it affordable? In this blog I show you some options I found.
Buy sustainable and fairtrade
The most common option is buying new garments. Preferable from sustainable and fairtrade materials. A lot of (online) shops use sustainable or fairtrade materials for their baby collection. In 2015 Moeders minimalisme made an article about it and at http://www.lauraenjames.com/ you also find a lot of inspiration. Then there are also the larger companies like C&A, H&M and Zeeman that have organic cotton in their collection. Because the baby wears them for such a short period of time I do find it important that the costs of these new bought items aren’t so high.
The most common option is buying new garments. Preferable from sustainable and fairtrade materials. A lot of (online) shops use sustainable or fairtrade materials for their baby collection. In 2015 Moeders minimalisme made an article about it and at http://www.lauraenjames.com/ you also find a lot of inspiration. Then there are also the larger companies like C&A, H&M and Zeeman that have organic cotton in their collection. Because the baby wears them for such a short period of time I do find it important that the costs of these new bought items aren’t so high.
Garments that grow with your kid
Another option is to buy garments that your baby will wear for multiple sizes. Then for me it feels OK to spend more money on it, because the total amount of money spend on garments stays the same. The website Voor de wereld van morgen wrote an nice article on the garments of Petit Pli. And I can also recommend Baby Verhip. These items are made in collaboration with the parents so they have handy features, like a playsuit that can be opened at both legs. Their items grow with you baby because the end of the shirts and trousers can be folded.
Another option is to buy garments that your baby will wear for multiple sizes. Then for me it feels OK to spend more money on it, because the total amount of money spend on garments stays the same. The website Voor de wereld van morgen wrote an nice article on the garments of Petit Pli. And I can also recommend Baby Verhip. These items are made in collaboration with the parents so they have handy features, like a playsuit that can be opened at both legs. Their items grow with you baby because the end of the shirts and trousers can be folded.
Secondhand
A relatively low cost and easy option is to buy secondhand clothes. Through services as Marktplaats, Cazou, Vintykids you find a lot of clothes, even whole packages with multiple clothes in one size. If the secondhand clothes are made of sustainable materials in a Fair Trade way it is even better.
A relatively low cost and easy option is to buy secondhand clothes. Through services as Marktplaats, Cazou, Vintykids you find a lot of clothes, even whole packages with multiple clothes in one size. If the secondhand clothes are made of sustainable materials in a Fair Trade way it is even better.
Rent
In the adult garment world renting is getting more known. You have Lena fashion library or mudjeans. Workwear that is rented like Berendsen does. And some companies make circular workwear that is made with design for disassembly and sometimes has a renting/leasing service as well.
For childrenswear renting seems like a good option to me too. As the garments are worn for such a short period. But the amount of energy, water and resources it costs to make them is huge. Now multiple users can share the same item. Hullaloop, Taleme and Vigga are businesses that rent childrenswear with a subscription.
What is your preferred option and why?
In the adult garment world renting is getting more known. You have Lena fashion library or mudjeans. Workwear that is rented like Berendsen does. And some companies make circular workwear that is made with design for disassembly and sometimes has a renting/leasing service as well.
For childrenswear renting seems like a good option to me too. As the garments are worn for such a short period. But the amount of energy, water and resources it costs to make them is huge. Now multiple users can share the same item. Hullaloop, Taleme and Vigga are businesses that rent childrenswear with a subscription.
What is your preferred option and why?