Non-toxic and Ethical Children’s Clothing Brands

Children are more susceptible to the effects of chemicals found in clothing than adults, due to their lower body mass, the fact they are going through developmental stages, their immune systems are still strengthening, and at some ages, they may put items in their mouth which would add to the risk.

As such, look for the following when shopping for children’s clothing:

• Certifications:

  • OEKO-TEX and/or Bluesign-certified pieces (these certifications do not allow for many toxic chemicals)

  • The GOTS certification is a great one to look for when shopping for organic pieces

• Fabrics:

  • Organic, plant-based pieces, such as organic cotton, which is softer on and more breathable for their skin, and is less likely to be treated with skin-sensitizing dyes

  • TENCEL, hemp, wool, and linen

  • Bamboo Lyocell (vs. bamboo rayon which uses toxic chemicals in its production)

  • Undyed options may be safer for those with sensitive skin and if you want to avoid toxic chemicals in dyes

• Labelling:

  • PFAS-free, BPA-free, Formaldehyde-free are all great labels to look for

Avoid the following when shopping for children’s clothing:

• Fabrics:

  • High percentages of synthetic fabrics (i.e., polyester), as these shed microplastics and are also more likely to be treated with disperse dyes (which may irritate the skin)

  • Plastic accessories and shoes, as they may be made from PVC which contains phthalates

  • Clothing with logos and prints, as phthalates are many times used to make the prints

• Labelling:

  • “Stain-resistant” and “water-resistant” clothing, as these qualities may be due to formaldehyde and PFAS usage, respectively

• Brands:

  • Ultra fast fashion brands such as Shein and Temu, products from which were found to contain high levels of toxic chemicals

These are the Day Into Eve list of vetted children’s brands:

Crann Organic was founded by a mother and nurse practitioner with the mission of designing clothes for children with skin sensitivities. Their pieces are OEKO-TEX and GOTS certified and they use skin-friendly fabrics such as organic cotton and Tencel. Sizes: 2 years – 12 years

Faire Child ethically handmakes eco-friendly raincoats. They are OEKO-TEX and Bluesign certified. Sizes: 2 – 10 yrs

Finn + Emma use 100% organic cotton, non-toxic and eco-friendly dyes, as well as lead/nickel-free snaps with coconut inserts. They are GOTS certified. Sizes: Newborn – 4T

Hanna Andersson designs OEKO-TEX certified pieces including character clothes. They even have hypoallergenic & eczema-friendly pieces. Sizes: Newborn – 14 yrs

Levi’s may surprise you as they have a high chemical management system. They include options made entirely from cotton. Some pieces are GOTS and/or OEKO-TEX certified. Sizes: Newborn – Adult

Nui Organics uses a lot of merino wool, blended with silk and Tencel Lyocell, as well as organic cotton and alpaca wool. Sizes: Newborn – Adult 3XL

Or.basics uses 100% organic cotton and GOTS-certified dyes. They are a small-batch brand offering select pieces. Sizes: Newborn – Adult

Pehr uses only 100% organic cotton and organic dyes. They are GOTS certified. They even have a line to match kids and womenswear. Sizes: Newborn – Adult

UpChoose offers a subscription plan for organic baby clothing. Instead of always having to shop for new pieces, you can receive pieces based on the current size you need and easily trade in as new sizes and pieces are needed. This is a great way to reduce consumption and waste, while still getting premium brands! Sizes: Newborn-4T