Creating a sustainable wardrobe

Dressing for the world

8 Simple Changes to Make a More Sustainable Wardrobe for Your Child

Here at Tutti Frutti Clothing, I am passionate about helping you make changes to your shopping habits for your children that will have a positive impact on the world around us.

The fashion industry is responsible for around 10% of global carbon emission, it is a major polluter of water and well known for its poor working conditions and lack of rights for garment workers. Even though most of us know that we *should* buy better clothes for our children – where do you start? I know that as parents we have so many decisions to make every day and it can be overwhelming and really hard to know where to start, so I have put together a quick guide with just 5 things you can do today to create a better, more sustainable wardrobe for your child.

1. Choose Sustainable Fabrics

Did you know that synthetic fibres such as polyester and nylon are made with non-renewable fossil fuels? And that conventional cotton uses vast quantities of water?

By being aware of the way our fabrics are made, we can buy clothes made from more sustainable fabrics.

Where possible, try to choose clothes for your children made from natural fibres. Linen requires less water than most fabrics. If you prefer synthetic fibres then look for clothes made from recycled polyester. Here at Tutti Frutti I focus on using organic cotton. Organic cotton is grown using over 90% less water than conventional cotton. It is also grown without the use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides which is much better for the soil and farmland too.

2. Look After Your Clothes Properly Looking after our children’s clothes can increase their longevity. Always read the care label and follow the instructions to get the most from them. Wash on a cool wash to prevent fibres from being damaged by heat and turn brightly coloured garment inside out to stop them fading. Tumble drying might be quick and convenient but it is also the fastest way to damage clothing – plus tumble drying can shrink clothes and make them wear out much faster too!

3. Repair Clothes Globally, an estimated 92 million tonnes of textiles waste is created each year and the equivalent to a rubbish truck full of clothes ends up on landfill sites every second. I wonder how much of that could have been saved by a needle and thread, or even a patch?? Sewing up holes and mending seams is a quick way to make children’s clothes last longer. If you aren’t able to repair popped seams or holes in knees yourself then maybe someone you know can help? At Tutti Frutti I offer a repair programme – if your Tutti Frutti garment is worn and gets a hole in then pop in to see me and I will fix it if I can – for free!

4. Choose Better Made Clothes Fast fashion is often made cheaply - and it isn’t made to last. Whilst it saves money in the short term, buying better, more durable clotes can help you save over the long term. Tutti Frutti started life as a handmade brand. By designing and making in small batches I could make sure that the quality of every single piece was the best it could be. It is made to last – and longevity continues to be at the heart of what I do. If clothes are made with good quality fabrics they can last and be passed on to friends and family too! 5. Buy Less And finally, to make a real difference we all need to buy less. Before you checkout your online basket, or pop a t-shirt in with your supermarket shop, ask yourself “do I really need this?” I know that more often than not the answer for me will be no. It’s not the easiest thing to do but it is the best way to make a real change and make your child’s wardrobe more sustainable.

As Vivienne Westwood once said, “Buy Less, Choose Well, Make it Last”

Ali Ribchester runs Tutti Frutti Clothing, a small, ethical and sustainable clothing brand for children age 0-6 years. Each piece is lovingly designed and handmade in England in soft, colourful, organic jersey. You can find her in her new shop in the Garden Square Shopping Centre in Letchworth Garden City.