Coming Clean: Understanding our Kid’s Basics Inside and Out

Coming Clean: Understanding our Kid’s Basics Inside and Out

Parenting is super hard. Some days feel really heavy. How do we protect the little ones in our lives when there is lots going on that seems out of our control? Seemingly basic things can bring about challenges that overwhelm (hello, bedtime and mealtime!). Reminding ourselves that the days are long, but the years are short helps. Keeping routines simple and relying on trusted experts can sometimes ease some stress, too. When it comes to children’s basics, you’ll find lots of claims made about what is and isn’t good for your kids. But what do they actually mean?

At Fig, we are here to answer some of your most frequently asked questions about sustainable kids clothes:

What does sustainable fashion mean?

Sustainable fashion is a term increasingly (mis)used as the retail industry shifts to sell to a more educated consumer with a growing interest in sustainability issues. It describes clothes that are created and brought to market in a way that is more conscious of the environmental and social impact of producing the garments. Some factors that define “sustainable fashion” include: cutting CO2 emissions, addressing overproduction, reducing pollution and waste, ensuring workers are paid a fair wage and have safe working conditions, and encouraging more environmentally friendly consumption and washing practices. The issue is admittedly complex, and unfortunately simply buying items labeled “sustainable” is not foolproof since the term is not regulated. Seeking out brands that transparently promote sustainable practices, use certified organic textiles in their clothes, and create fashion that is of high quality and long-lasting style is a safer bet. 

What is greenwashing?

Not every company is as green as it claims to be. Greenwashing is when businesses try to look more environmentally friendly than they actually are. They make claims (such as “eco conscious” and “natural”) and conduct their business pretending to have sustainability in mind when, in reality, many of their actions harm the people working for them and are bad for our planet. In order to appear “green” (sustainable), they may make dishonest or misleading marketing claims about their products hoping to trick customers looking for a sustainable option into buying their products. 👀 Greenwashing is far more common than we think. But as a consumer, you have all the power! You can ask questions, and avoid purchasing products from companies that seem untrustworthy or are not transparent about their manufacturing processes. By demanding companies practice what they preach and choosing to support more ethical businesses, such as those that have credible labels or certificates like GOTS on their products or websites, you can help combat greenwashing. 

Is bamboo a sustainable option?

Bamboo is gaining popularity, but it is not in its natural form a fiber that can be used for clothing. Therefore, it’s not entirely accurate to say that any clothing is “made of bamboo.” Raw bamboo must first be processed into viscose (which is a fabric), but that requires a lot of chemicals and energy resources. Once bamboo fibers become viscose, they technically aren’t bamboo anymore anyway! At Fig, we researched bamboo and chose not to use it because of environmental reasons. 

What if something is “made with ocean plastic, recycled material, or natural fibers”?

These claims sound great and earth-loving, but without any legal requirement to back up how much reclaimed or recycled material is actually used in the finished product – often only a fraction of a percent – these products often sound greener than they truly are. And much like bamboo, simply calling something a “natural fiber” means very little in terms of the environmental and social impact of the manufacturing process.

What does hypoallergenic mean?

Hidden chemicals that are used to treat our clothes are a serious concern, polluting local waterways and posing a risk to the people that wear them and the workers that make them. They can also cause major irritation to the delicate skin of little ones. Hypoallergenic is commonly used to refer to items that are free of known chemicals and allergens. In clothing, hypoallergenic implies that an allergic reaction is not likely to occur from wearing the product. At Fig, our GOTS-certified fabrics are free from harmful chemicals that are known to cause irritation and allergic reactions. 

Is pima cotton the same thing as organic cotton?

Pima cotton is all the rage in children’s clothing largely because of its soft feel. It is a premium cotton with a long fiber length and is regarded as softer and more durable than standard cotton. Brands using pima cotton can use the term “Supima” as long as the cotton is 100% pure and grown in the United States. However, pima cotton is almost never organically farmed (of the 27 million tons of cotton produced in a year throughout the world, only about 2% is Pima and 0.05% of that is Organic Pima Cotton; extra-long staple cottons like Pima can only be grown in certain climates and conditions, and they’re especially difficult and costly to produce without the aid of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers (organic no-nos). Organic cotton, if properly certified, is organically grown which means no harmful pesticides or chemicals have been used in production. Beware of “organic cotton” that isn’t certified by GOTS as this can be a sign of greenwashing. GOTS also controls labor conditions and quality which go beyond organic classification of the cotton itself.

What is circular fashion?

The traditional clothing production and retail model follows a “take-make-waste” philosophy that is linear and geared towards using cheap manufacturing practices, depleting the earth of its resources, and selling as much as possible to consumers who wear the low-quality items for a short period of time before disposing of them. Circular fashion is a system where our clothes are produced through a more thoughtful model that challenges the notion that clothing has to be made without consideration for the environment or the people that make and wear the clothes. Circular fashion embraces the idea that clothing can and should be produced and used in a way that is responsible from start to finish.  The focus is on extending the life cycle of our possessions, including designing out waste and pollution. If we want products to be used long term, they need to be designed to be as durable as possible and good enough to wear again and again. At Fig, this is our mission! 
 
 

If we want to be sustainable, shouldn’t we just buy less new stuff?

Yes! All new things create waste, no matter how sustainably they are made. The concept of true circularity requires scaling production and consumption way back and replacing it with services and behaviors that extend the use-phase of garments as much as possible. In short: buy less, and buy better. Invest in sustainable fashion brands. Buying quality products that last can save you money and create less waste in the long run. You can further extend the life of your clothes by using environmentally friendly detergents that aren’t as harsh on your clothes.

As parents, we all want what's best and safest for our children. It can be confusing to navigate all the product details and claims. There are also no perfect solutions to our planet’s excessive waste problem, but we must continue to hold our brands accountable to making responsible decisions and explaining them clearly. At Fig, we strive to always be transparent with you. You can email us at hello@figforkids.com with any questions.

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