Journal — Ethical Consumption

We’ve all skimmed blogs and perused Pinterest for inspiration on creating the perfect capsule wardrobe for ourselves, but what about when it comes to our littles? As parents, shopping sustainably for our kids while maintaining a “fewer but better” mindset can be easier said than done. Kids outgrow their clothes quickly, wear holes in them after a few trips and skirmishes, and honestly, the temptation to buy cheaply made alternatives for them in an effort to keep up is real.

But at Jackalo, we’re big believers in buying fewer-but-better-made pieces for your kids that will last them through several growth spurts, keep up with their rambunctious play without tearing, and won’t hurt the planet on top of it all. In fact, that just about sums up our mission as a company.

We believe it’s possible for parents to “curate” their kids’ wardrobes in a practical and sustainable way that has less to do with fashion and more to do with practicality. With this mindset, ultimately you’ll spend less on your kids’ clothes and ensure they’re getting the most wear out of what they have. A streamlined wardrobe will allow your child to take control of choosing their own outfits (while you relax knowing that everything more or less “flows” together). It teaches them the value of minimizing and keeps your shopping trips much more mission focused.  

A quick note on colors: you may find it helpful to shop within a few color families so that when your kids pick out their own outfits, you don’t have to worry too much about things clashing. This also allows you to plan ahead and buy a size up so that your kids can grow into things and you can still be sure that they’ll work within their wardrobe. You don’t have to stick to only neutrals, or avoid bright and fun colors, but we suggest sticking to 5 or fewer colors. We love this post from Anuschka Rees about choosing a color palette for an adult wardrobe and think the same concepts can be used as inspiration for building one for a child.

Our sustainable capsule wardrobe download will give you the outline of a well-crafted, simplified wardrobe for your kids. From here, you can buy the essentials and then step back and let them be kids (in clothes that are up for the job). You may have to do a bit of shopping around to find the right brands and sizes to fill each “section”, but once you do, your kiddo will have a cohesive, easy wardrobe that will work for everything from school days, mud puddle jumping, and dinner with the grandparents.  

Depending on where you live, you may need a “warm season” capsule and a “cold season” capsule and can make tweaks as needed for things like dresses, skirts, and other pieces your kiddo may love, but with this checklist  and info as a guide, we hope the process will be much more simplified!

These are the basics of any wardrobe, regardless of age. This download will allow you to shop for pieces that fit your child’s personality and style, AND your budget and ethics much more easily.

Have you ever created a capsule wardrobe for your kids? Tell us how it went!

Raising children in a way that is easy on the planet and on their health is no easy feat. New parents are continually bombarded with the newest  “must-have” products they need to buy to keep their children happy and healthy. However, the vast majority of these products are made with cheap synthetics which are ultimately unhealthy for families and the planet as a whole. Everything from disposable diapers, to the fabric of children’s clothes, to BPA lined plastic products are common household staples that, unfortunately, are as hard on the environment as they are on our children’s skin and health.

When we set out to purchase eco-friendly essentials for their family, overwhelm can set in quickly and make many of us feel that living an eco-friendly lifestyle at home is impractical at best or impossible at worst. Between conflicting information, budget constraints, and knowing what to prioritize first, many parents feel they’re at a standstill between conventional products and finding better options.

Although there are many ways to live an eco-friendly lifestyle with your children, we’ve rounded up a few of our favorite products that simplify parenthood and won’t harm the planet or your children’s health. Which step will you take first?

1. Mason Bottle and Reusable Waterbottles

Whether you have a baby or an older child, investing in some drink bottles made from sustainable, durable materials is a double win: you’ll be protecting your child from the chemicals in most baby bottles and water bottles AND you’re reducing single-use disposables.

We love: Mason Bottle ($19.99), Field Guide Stainless Steel Water Bottle ($31.99)

2. Beeswax Food Wraps 

When you have kids, leftovers are inevitable. Reducing food waste and avoiding single-use plastic bags is tricky enough as it is, but we love Beeswax Food Wraps as an alternative to plastic wrap. Silicone reusable bags are also a great alternative to plastic disposable bags. For families with bigger kids, making your own wraps can be a fun DIY activity if you’ve got some spare cotton cloth and beeswax around. Here’s a fun tutorial.

We love: Beeswax Wraps (3-pack, $18)

3. Wooden Sewing Tool

Buying sustainable toys for your kids is easier said than done. When shopping, try second-hand first, and if you can’t find something that works from your local thrift store, try to look for products made from natural materials, instead of cheap synthetics. They’re easier on the earth to produce and easier on your kiddo’s health too. These lovely sewing tools are from Aleta Kids, a small company that makes wooden toys that are sustainably produced in Spain.

We love: Wooden Lacing Fishing Boat ($28.57)

4. Jackalo Children's Pants

There’s nothing more frustrating than spending money on clothes for your kids only to have them disintegrate through heavy wear and kids “being kids”. We may be biased, but we think there’s a better way to shop for kids’ clothes. Our pants are designed to last and grow with your child, so you’ll get more for your money and your child will have more freedom to play.

Jax Pant ($75)

5. Bamboo Silverware

Cutting down on waste when you’re out and about with your kids is tricky, but it’s do-able with a little bit of preparation. We love carrying reusable bamboo cutlery with us, or throwing a set in a child’s school lunch, to reduce the waste caused by on the go meals.

We love: Bamboo 3-piece silverware ($6.05)

6. Organic Cotton Sheets

Even though your child probably fights bedtime, the reality is that they spend 10 or more hours each day sleeping in their bed and what they sleep in matters. More and more brands are realizing the benefits of switching to organic cotton, but among the benefits are no pesticides or chemicals sprayed on the cotton, a more durable, softer sheet, and less worry for you.

We love:  Naturpedic Organic Twinsize Sheet Set ($139)

7. Wooden Creative Thinking Toys

For older kids, blocks can get old quickly. We love toys that stretch our children’s minds and encourage creativity. Although you don’t need to buy expensive toys for that, they make wonderful gifts.

We love: TinkerTotter Robot Set ($30)

8. Bamboo Toothbrushes

Most conventional toothbrushes aren’t recyclable, but making the simple swap to bamboo toothbrushes leaves you with a healthier alternative that will compost and biodegrade on its own.

We love: The Humble Brush bamboo toothbrushes (€3.99)

9. Organic Cotton Backpack

Every child needs a backpack for school, but unfortunately, most of them are made with PVC and BPA laden plastics, lead, and phthalate which aren’t ideal for the environment or your child. This one, however, is made with durable and organic waxed cotton, has a lifetime guarantee and is handmade in Minnesota by an amazing woman and mama. A great business to support!

We love: Viska Little Forager ($150)

What eco-friendly essentials do you love for your children?