There are plenty of reasons to pick organic cotton clothing. Industrially produced cotton requires masses of pesticides, herbicides and chemical fertilizers that pollute our air, water and soil. Plus, the chemicals added during processing are no good for sensitive baby skin (or for chewing on, for that matter). So where do you go if you want style, sustainability and skin-friendly gear for your kids? Here’s a good-enough-to-eat guide to buying organic kids’ clothes in Hong Kong.
Little Lambs
Just for the littlies, Cottonlambs focus on super-soft and snuggly organic pieces for newborns in bright prints that are specifically designed for those who prefer a gender surprise come D-Day. With onesies, gift sets and the teeniest-tiniest socks, you can stock up on a full wardrobe for the new arrival without a pastel yellow bunny rabbit in sight.
$23-$543. Buy online
at cottonlambs.com.
Easy Tigers
Get some training wheels on that fixie bike; this is one for the playground hipsters. Atsuyo et Akiko is a Brooklyn-based brand that specialises in cool collaborations with artists and designers. A small selection of their hand silkscreened, 100 percent organic tees is available in Hong Kong from kids’ online designer store, Bebe Tigre.
$235-$315. Available online at bebetigre.com.
Feeling Coq-y?
Chicoholic Kids carries not one, but two great organic kidswear labels. French brand Coq en Patê makes its cute, animal-themed baby togs in India to stringent Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) regulations. Meanwhile, Indikidual is a unisex Scandi-chic collection that will give modish mums #ootd envy.
$260-$520. Buy online at chicoholickids.bigcartel.com.
Never Say Dye
Local organic brand Cigogne Bebe makes its baby clothes from natural green, red and brown cotton, without a chemical colour or bleaching agent in sight. Suitable for the most delicate newborn skin, its products also provide a degree of natural sun protection, proving that – like most mums – Mother Nature is a natural multi-tasker.
$50-$550. Buy online at cigognebebe.com.
Hip, Hip, Hepi
With just three styles of dress and one style of skirt in a range of pretty prints, Hepi is all about pared-down sustainable fashion. Made from 100 percent organic, pesticide-free cotton sateen and digitally printed (a method that reduces waste compared to traditional textile printing), this Hong Kong-born brand’s clothes are fit for a true green queen… or princess.
$310-$465. Buy online at hepi-prints.com.
Bloemin’ Marvelous
Curating handmade, eco-friendly and organic clothing from around the world, BloemBaby favours stylish prints and pops of colour for fashionable kids (or rather, their proud parents) to show off at circle time. With Japanese-inspired kimonos and practical zip boiler suits alongside the usual onesies, leggings and sleep suits, this unique range has baby shower gifting written all over it.
$85-$418. Buy online at bloembaby.com.
Little Animals
It may sound French, but kidswear brand Raphael Audrey is a British as cod and chips. Their Organic Zoo line is packed full of funky, witty designs that are equally suitable for both boys and girls (hello, sibling recycling opportunities!), all in soft 100 percent organic cotton.
Prices from $250. Buy online at baobae.com.
Nuu Order
Another great unisex option, this time in subtle greys and creams, Nuumi’s bamboo fibre and organic cotton range is irresistibly soft and snuggly. With hats, onesies and sleep suits in coordinating colours and designs, the entire range adds up to a “my first capsule wardrobe” for the understated tot-about-town.
$190-$330. Buy online at tinyfootprints.com or in store at 10/F, 1 Duddell St., Central, 2522-2466,tinyfootprints.com.
I Need a Hero
We’ve talked about them here before, but Baby Hero more than earns its repeat mention. Its organic, fair trade tees and onesies come with free warm and fuzzy feelings, courtesy of the neonatal care kit that the company donates to expectant mothers in developing nations for each product sold. Add to that some seriously cool prints – we love the Maneki Neko, or lucky cat – and you’ve got yourself a green wardrobe staple.
$195-$235. Buy online at sooqcentral.com.