Keeping a kid clothed throughout their childhood is an endurance test. Items get ripped, stained, and outgrown on a regular basis. When a child suffers from sensitive skin, this process can be particularly fraught. Readily available synthetic fabrics can exacerbate issues like eczema, forcing parents to find lesser-known clothing substitutes.
But what if we slowed down? What if we dared to make different choices, not only for our kids, but for the planet, too?
“What we put on our bodies, especially our children’s bodies, matters,” says Amanda Searancke founder of Nui Organics, whose “tread light” mentality was born from her childhood in coastal New Zealand. “My guiding philosophy has always been to make something good, that causes no harm, and provides a safe, natural alternative to something that didn’t.”
A similar mentality led Alex Irving and Emmanuelle Humblet to start Bigelow Lane, a marketplace for sustainable kids clothing. After conducting their own research, they created a centralized place for other parents to find what they’d been searching for: garments made from natural fabrics that are free from harmful chemicals and dyes.
“If you’re trying to make informed decisions, transparency is what you want to look for,” Irving says. “The company is going to put all of this on its website and make it easy to find.”
Which kids are most impacted by eczema?
According to a 2023 study from the Center for Disease Control’s National Center for Health Statistics, today’s children have more allergic conditions than those in previous decades. This includes eczema (atopic dermatitis), a skin condition that presents with bumpy, itchy rashes, and thickened skin.
The study found that 10.8 % of children suffer from eczema, and that percentage was the same for boys and girls. Children aged six to 11 years have the highest percentage of those with eczema (12.1 %), followed by children aged zero to five years (10.4 %), and 12 to 17 years (9.8 %). Non-Hispanic Black children were also more likely to have eczema (14.2 %) compared to non-Hispanic White children (10.2 %), Hispanic children (9.5 %), and non-Hispanic Asian children (9 %).
Natural fibers offer comfort, breathability, and gentleness
If transitioning your child’s entire wardrobe to natural fabrics feels overwhelming, try focusing on a few pieces. Base layers, for example, sit closest to the skin. This is where natural fabrics make a lot of sense.
“Our skin is porous, especially babies’, and susceptible to the many toxins found in conventional apparel,” Searancke says. “Merino wool has incredible thermoregulating properties—it keeps kids warm when it’s cool and cool when it’s warm. Wool has been scientifically proven to help [those with] eczema.”
Despite the clear benefits, there are also misconceptions. “There’s very little real wool clothing for kids in the US because there’s this perception that it’s itchy, when really, it’s very soft,” Humblet says. “I also think there’s a desensitization that happens with synthetic fabrics. That super-soft fleece we grew up with is made of polyester, but we’ve come to associate that with softness. It feels very different than softness that’s natural.”
Renewable fabrics reduce chemical and environmental pollution
The benefits of natural fabrics aren’t limited to comfort. The fashion industry is notorious for its negative environmental impacts, but sustainable clothes offer a promising alternative to the fast-fashion trend.
“By avoiding petroleum-based synthetics, toxic dyes, and chemical finishes, we help reduce microplastic pollution, preserve ecosystems, and contribute to a better planet for our kids to grow in,” Searancke says. “Sustainable materials are part of a circular system. They come from the earth and can return to the earth safely.”
Another way to help the environment is to combat fast fashion by slowing down. Irving encourages consumers to select high-quality items that can be mended; purchase larger sizes that can be rolled, cuffed, and grown into; and engage with second-hand marketplaces or buyback programs that keep old clothes out of the landfill.
This kind of conscious consumerism is necessary, as natural fibers have not yet reached their tipping point in the marketplace. The onus is on consumers to seek them out. Once they do, they tend to fall in love.
How to choose sustainable kids clothes?
Ready to dress your children in natural fabrics? Here are three things to consider:
- Seek transparency. Sustainable clothing brands talk about what they’re doing. Many pursue independent certifications, such as Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) and OEKO-TEX®.
- Prioritize the right fabrics. Wool, linen, hemp, and organic cotton are great options, but do your research. Natural fibers sometimes get mixed with synthetic ones or are treated with harmful chemicals during the production process. Find out how the garment was made before buying.
- Pick pieces that last. Check a company’s reviews. Are the pieces durable? Are they designed to be cuffed and rolled so they can be worn for longer? Do they have a second-hand marketplace for buying and selling pre-loved items? The right retailers can answer these questions.
This article was originally published in the August 2025 issue of delicious living magazine.
