For you and your kids! I want to do better about picking a few quality prices for myself, as I slowly start trying to make my postpartum hot mess self into a real human being again. It’s hard to adjust your mindset when you are used to buying cheap and easy.
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Patagonia.
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I have to accept a "do my best" mantra. This starts with buying used, or not buying at all, if I can. I don't have endless resources and there are some things I won't compromise on (for example, we spend a lot of time outside in all weather and need quality and functional outdoor gear. But I can't afford all Patagonia. I also admit that I am somewhat picky about the clothes my kids wear- natural fibers, no words, no characters, that kind of thing). So I can't just take bags of clothes from craigslist and be happy with it.
I don't have the time or energy to do exhaustive research on all companies before I purchase, so I end up taking them on their word. But if I refer back to my first rule of used or not at all, I have really limited my purchase of new clothing since I started this goal at the new year.
SO, that said:
for used clothing for myself I do check out local shops occasionally, but I don't have a lot of time for shopping alone (and i find that for used clothing shopping I really need to be without kids). I am comfortable buying somethings on ThredUp (primarily non-form fitting tops/sweaters).For kids I shop a lot on kidizen and on facebook brand specific groups. I filter for brands I know/trust to be quality, and ones that I am familiar with sizing on.
New clothes generally require shopping sales, particularly end of season
https://www.wearethought.com/
https://inkkas.com/
http://www.peopletree.co.uk/
everlane.com
AG jeans
PACT organic
patagonia
Boden: http://www.bodenusa.com/en-us/help/our-ethical-policy#helpkids are harder- they grow fast, and I can't afford all handmade clothing from small instagram shops. I put my effort into used, and do what i can from there
Polarn o Pyret is one of my favorites. They aren't usually included in any lists I've seen about ethical children's clothing. But here is a link to their responsibility page. Honestly, sometimes if a company appears to have even put some thought and effort into it it has to be enough for me. POP makes great outwear that is cheaper than Patagonia when on sale (GREAT end of season sales). https://www.polarnopyret.com/our-responsibility
Nui Organics isn't super specific about their factories, but they are definitely environmentally conscious, and their wool clothing lasts forever and is designed to grow with kids. My almost 5 year old can still wear a 2T dress from them as a tunic. http://nuiorganics.com/who-is-nui/
Tea Collection is also not super specific, but again, at least appears like they are making an effort:
https://www.teacollection.com/static/ethical-sourcing.htmlBoden isn't bad, and is quite honestly as specific as Tea which is often brought up as an ethical company. I like Boden's clothing better, usually. http://www.bodenusa.com/en-us/help/our-ethical-policy#help
Hanna Andersson is sometimes mentioned but I can't find a lot about them. I love HA and am really unsure what to do. They make great, simple kids clothing. They have recently changed owners and there's been some observable decline in quality and customer service but I'm still dedicated to their PJS. http://www.hannaandersson.com/our-story
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Oh, and Etsy is another great place to look
I've found a lot of wonderful stuff- particularly fun screen-printed t shirts there.
I find the hard part is basics: i really dno't know what I'm going to do when I wear out my zella high rise leggings. and my bras and underwear suck because I can't decide if PACT organic will work for me, or if I should shell out $$$$ to try Patagonia.
Special pieces are much easier. And it means you don't have the same thing eveyrone else got at Old Navy. I loved my recent order from Thought Clothing- the 2 shirts I got are unique, well made, and lovely. -
forgot Winter Water Factory for kids!! and Soft Star Shoes for their shoes.
went through my instagram feed. I haven't bought from any of these yet, but always admire:
https://www.oliberte.com/
https://www.littlecottonwood.co/
http://www.redcreekkids.com/
http://tortoiseandthehare.clothing/
https://www.aurorashoeco.com/ -
I’m with @Silvia and in 2018 I have resolved to only buy clothing second hand. This applies to the 4 of us living in my household and excludes socks, underwear, and athletic shoes.
So far it’s going really well. We live in a high COL area and I have been finding gold in the thrift stores. I’m also going the extra step of getting things tailored so I end up with better quality clothes while supporting a local tailor and avoiding the environmental impact of creating and shipping new.
When I have less time I’ve been shopping on threadup, but then the shipping cancels out some of the environmental good.
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@JCCovi: I think if I could figure out how to shop for used clothing in person more often, I'd be in better shape. My life doesn't accommodate it right now, and I find it really time consuming. The only time it worked for me was when I had just one tiny baby and lived closer to the stores, I could take her once a week, and browse through everything.
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@Silva: thank you for all this. Seriously, so helpful. And I know exactly what you mean about the minimal research. I found quite a few stores with shiny wholesome sounding mission statements/“our story” pages, but I am totally taking them at face value for what they say.
It’s funny you mentioned old navy. I had just placed an order for my son for a ton of cheap stuff for him and it just got me thinking. I really don’t want to buy that stuff anymore for the kids or myself! I am coming around to used, I always liked the idea of it but when I browsed stuff tended to seem kind of expensive and not in great condition. I have found some nice stuff on my local swap, getting tons of hand me downs for the baby... now just need to get into the habit for me and my son! He’s actually ended up wearing the same size for quite a while after being a huge baby and then growing into a tall average 3 yo, so in hindsight I could have invested in some nice stuff for him.
So, today I ordered shoes from allbirds, and some lounge pants from marine layer. Plus undies from pact. If I really like them, I’ll buy more! I have my eye on some clothes from Everlane, and a Patagonia vest to replace the pathetic old navy one I’ve literally worn for years. Like maybe 10 years.
It’s a start!
@JCCovi: you inspire me!
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@mrsbubbletea: I stick to brands I know when shopping used. For kids stuff it is absolutely the way to go, but definitely more work. Kidizen has been a gold mine for me- I browse regularly. Then when it’s time to do a seasonal purchase I really start looking hard and also shopping the Facebook groups I’m in. My kids wear almost exclusively nui, polarn, Boden, tea or hanna and probably over half was used.
I guess the point about the environmental impact of shipping is true but I live rurally so for any of those brands to get to me (or any brand, besides gap/old navy), shipping will be involved
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