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At Elves in the Wardrobe we are aware of babies & kids changing needs. When selecting our products, we are specifically looking for organic fabrics that will meet these needs.

Clothes that are extra soft and provide breathability, warmth and durability are key to happy and healthy young ones.

To give you a better understanding, we have put together a little list of fabrics and their specific qualities to help make the right choice when ordering baby & kids clothes online:

 

1. Organic Cotton

Above all there is the organic cotton. Everything starts here for us.

Organic cotton is fine, soft and strong. It is the ideal fabric for a baby’s sensitive skin as it is grown and processed without the use of harmful chemicals.

Conventionally grown cotton is one of the most destructive crops grown in the world today, whereas organic cotton farming promotes clean air, water and soil. Organic Cotton does not endanger wildlife or human health. So, you can rest assured you are getting the purest product for your baby.

Cotton can absorb about 20% of its own weight in moisture without feeling wet. It is pleasantly soft to wear, is permeable to air and actively breathes. It is highly resistant to friction and tearing. It tolerates high temperatures and can easily be washed at over 150°C.

It is perfect for sensitive baby’s skin and children with eczema.

 

2. Muslin

Organic cotton muslin offers unrivalled comfort with softness, superior moisture drawing, temperature control and extraordinary breathability. A naturally light fabric, it allows for maximum airflow which makes it the perfect fabric for the hotter months.

Our French Eco label Poudre produces their entire range out of soft double layered organic cotton muslin and has quickly become our summer favourite.

  

3. Rib

This is a fantastic baby fabric.

It's super soft with that bit of extra stretch to accommodate growing babies, but enough fabric integrity so that they will not stretch out.

 

 

4. Sweatshirting

Made from super soft and comfy 100% organic cotton knit fabric which is beautifully soft against the skin and makes a great mid weight layer for the in between seasons and cooler periods.

5. Cord

Made from certified organic cotton corduroy which is incredibly soft while remaining durable. Corduroy is the perfect weight for when your baby starts crawling and are on the go as well as for active kids who love going on big adventures.

 

6. Pointelle

Organic pointelle is a fabric with a nostalgic quality, perfect for new babies. Super soft and stretchy, this delicate fabric encourages warmth retention and moisture wicking with its thermal quality and open weave.

 

7. Terry

Soft and fluffy organic terry fabric absorbs moisture, while keeping its softness & temperature.

German Eco toy label Nanchen Natur creates the most beautiful soft toys, baby rattles & dolls made from 100% organic terry fabric.

  

8. Cotton Knits 

Soft organic cotton knits have a lovely classic knitted texture. Ideal for keeping your little one snug during those season transitions.

9. Pure Merino Wool

No other fibre, whether of synthetic or natural origin, combines so many positive features as wool:

 

It insulates, absorbs body moisture, breathes and is soft and non-irritating. This is very important for babies who still have fragile temperature mechanisms. Medical research at Cambridge University showed that lamb’s wool has a soothing, swaddling effect on babies, resulting in better sleep, reduced stress, greater contentment and improved weight gain. Studies showing similar results were reported in the British Medical Journal, Lancet, and the Australian Medical Journal.

Lying directly on lamb’s wool decreases a baby’s activity rate, producing a deeper, more restful sleep, and promoting a faster growth rate.

The wool has a so-called natural thermo regularization quality. Wool can take up water in the fibre inside. However, the surface pushes off water. It can take water up to one third of its dry weight without feeling humid and it derives humidity substantially faster than say cotton.

As woollen articles (referring to their whole volume) consist of up to 85% of air, they are good warm insulators. The body warmth escapes only a little. Therefore, colloquially one says that wool "warms" well, although wool of itself only reflects the heat radiation of the body.

Wool badly accepts dirt, is sweat-resistant and antistatic. Through its "recovery capacity" wool hardly creases, as the fibre is very elastic. Wool articles are virtually non- iron.

Wool is very colour-resistant and hardly inflammable. It doesn’t burn but carbonizes only.
Wool accepts few smells (e.g., from sweat) in contrast to art fibres, and has a natural self-cleansing function. Taken up smells are secreted to the air and the wool smells neutrally and freshly again after a short time in the fresh air. Wool can chemically bind sweat and urine and therefore neutralize them for a long time.

Happy shopping!

With so many options for children’s clothing these days, the health benefits of clothing can often be overlooked or forgotten.

When thinking of buying baby clothing, the question is more often, what is cuter, than what is best for your child’s health. We concern ourselves with the chemicals we put in our children’s mouths, but our children’s skin is just as delicate, and exposing them to the harsh chemicals found in synthetic clothing can have negative effects. While the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) may regulate the importation of clothing with specific chemicals, experts at the consumer advocacy group, CHOICE, have recommended looking for organic cotton clothing.

Cotton is a 100% natural, organic fabric, meaning it is a non-allergenic material that will greatly reduce the chances of dermatitis, such as eczema or rashes, appearing on your child. Unlike synthetic-based materials, it is also suitable for babies with asthma, as the cotton does not release small particles that can cause an attack.

The nature of the organic fabric will also allow for better aeration, and will easily absorb body moisture. A soft material, cotton does not rub harshly against skin, and can be sterilised with hot water without affecting the durability or quality. Cotton easily releases dirt and grime, thus removing the necessity to remove stains with harsh chemicals. 

For a product to be certified as organic, the manufacturer must adhere to specific guidelines regarding the growing and production methods of the cotton. The cotton must not produced with pesticides, synthetic fertilisers or genetically-engineered seeds, and during the production process, the cotton must be handled with eco-friendly dyes, inks and cleaning agents. If a manufacturer meets these guidelines, they can apply for a Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certification.

Organic cotton manufacturers use natural fertilisers, meaning organic products are rid of chemicals often used for a nice finish or flame retardant. Chemical-free organic cotton is most suitable for babies’ and children’s delicate skin, and is available as blankets, clothes and even diapers!

 

Buying organic baby & kids clothes is beneficial for a number of reasons. Garments made from organic cotton are soft, hypoallergenic and free of any nasty chemicals. When it comes to cleaning these garments, it’s easy to feel apprehensive about damaging the soft fibers. If you’re not sure where to start, have a look through our Elves in the Wardrobe guide to washing and caring for organic baby & kids clothes clothes:

How to wash and dry organic baby & kids clothes safely

Conventional textiles are treated with chemicals to prevent shrinkage. As organic baby clothes are chemical-free, we’d suggest washing on a low heat to keep the shape. A 40°C cycle will remove stains and also save energy, which is good for the environment.

Avoid powerful washing machine detergents, as they are packed with harmful chemicals. Not only are these bad for your little ones; they’ll also degrade the fibres and dyes in your organic baby & kids clothes. Look for a mild, Eco-friendly washing detergent. If you previously used a non-Eco detergent, put your empty washing machine through a rinse cycle before washing organic garments.

Drying organic baby clothes at a high temperature will also lead to shrinkage, so air dry where possible. If you’re in a rush, run your tumble dryer on an air cycle which uses no heat. Fair Trade children’s clothes shouldn’t cost the earth, so making your washing and drying routine more Eco-friendly is good for everyone.

Removing tough stains using Eco-friendly methods

When organic baby or kids clothes become stained, it’s easy to panic. You don’t want to use harsh chemicals to remove the stains, so how should you do it? There are a few tricks to Eco-friendly stain remover, depending on the nature of the stain.

For food and drink stains, such as tomato sauce, try pouring boiling water over the stain. Don’t soak the whole garment, because this could lead to shrinkage.

If that doesn’t work, or if the stain is oil-based, try applying baking powder to the stain. Let it absorb into the fabric, then brush the stain gently with an old toothbrush. Once the stain is dry, apply some Eco friendly dish soap and let it soak in, before placing the garment in a bowl of lukewarm water. 

Putting the garment through the washing machine afterwards should completely remove the stain. If it doesn’t, repeat the process until the stain disappears. For the toughest stains, look out for Eco friendly stain removal liquid that is suitable for organic cotton.

Can I wash organic cotton baby & kids clothes with other items? 

Non-organic clothing is made with pesticides that are linked to impaired brain development in foetuses and infants. As a result, we advise that you wash organic baby & kids clothes separately, or with other organic garments. The chemical residue from non-organic cotton can jeopardize organic baby clothes. If you’re worried about wasting water by doing lots of smaller washes, many washing machines have a “reduced load” option that you could use. Hand-washing by using an Eco-friendly detergent is another choice for those times when you are between washes.

Caring for organic cotton baby & kids clothes makes them last longer and ensures they remain safe for your little ones. Getting into a routine of harm-free washing will be better for you, your baby and the planet. The benefits of buying ethical children’s clothes shouldn’t stop when it comes to washing time! 

Reducing your baby’s & children's exposure to harmful chemicals is precisely why Elves in the Wardrobe exists. To find the perfect clothing for gentle skin, browse our range of soft organic baby & kids clothes.

What organic essentials will my baby need?

Becoming a parent is an exciting and yet sometimes overwhelming time.

Everyone has an opinion on what you will and won't need for those early days.

With so much on offer online as well as shopping local, it can be hard to know exactly what the essentials are for those early days.

As well as providing beautiful organic cotton products for babies and kids, at Elves in the Wardrobe we want to make this time as easy as possible for you and have put together a realistic list of what you will really need, so you can focus on enjoying this special time.

 

Here is a basic checklist of baby organic essentials to get you and your newborn through the first few weeks and months:

 

1. Wear:

It doesn’t get much cuter than tiny baby clothes—but you’ll want to pick out practical items that’ll keep baby comfy and cosy.

When it comes to clothing, these are the baby must-haves:

• 2 hats; organic cotton or merino
• 6-10 bodysuits and singlets; organic cotton or merino
• 3-4 kimono wrap bodysuits and jackets; organic cotton
• 1 cardigan; organic cotton or merino
• 3-4 pairs of drawstring pants or footed jumpsuit
• 2-3 pairs of socks
•  2 mittens, organic cotton or merino
• 1 vest; organic cotton or merino
• 1-2 pairs of booties; organic cotton or merino

 

2. Sleep:

 Sleep is going to be a precious thing, both for you and for baby. Help everyone get some much-needed shut-eye with this baby items list for bedding:

• 3-6 sleeping gowns, organic cotton or merino
• 1-2 sleeping bags
• 1 cuddly toy
• 1 bassinet or moses basket with mattress
• 2-3 blankets; organic cotton or merino
• 2-3 bassinet sheet sets
• 6 swaddle wraps; organic cotton, merino or muslin cotton
• 1-2 mattress protectors

3. Care & Bath:

You don’t absolutely need a baby bath or change table. You can bath a baby in the regular bath tub (or even the sink) and you can change a baby’s nappy on the floor or a bed.

But both items are useful and will make things a bit easier on your back!

• 4 muslin wraps
• 1 body wash or soap
• 6-8 bibs
• 1 massage oil
• 1 play mat
• 12 wipes or cloths, cotton or muslin
• 1 bottom balm
• 2-4 burp cloths
• 1 nail scissors
• 1 bath tub (optional)
• 1 changing table (optional)
• 2 change pads
• 1-2 hooded towels
• 1 baby hairbrush

It is always good to remember that every family is different and we’re all on a different budget.

Some parents will consider a pram a ‘must-have’ while other families love their baby carrier. Some don’t mind buying an expensive wooden change table to match the cot, while others prefer a more cost-effective one that fits on top of an existing set of drawers. And some won’t bother at all – preferring to change the baby’s nappy on the floor or a bed.

It really is important to find what works for you.

But you probably won’t figure that out until after your baby has arrived.

In the meantime you’ll find our Elves in the Wardrobe First Time Parents Guide useful when getting ready for your new baby.

Enjoy!

 

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Looking for a healthy organic way to live and eat has never been easier.

I still remember being in my late teens and going with my family to visit my older brother who had just started an apprenticeship and worked part time in a vegetarian restaurant!I remember the feeling of the world opening up to reveal the secret world of yummy organic goodness WITHOUT MEAT!!

I think all my family members were struggling greatly and making fun of the lack of meat in their meals. Everyone except me! I ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT.

Fast forward 25 years and two children later the world has become so much more transparent and open to get inspiration, ideas and of course vegan recipes for my family. The abundance of healthy organic lifestyle ideas, conscious parenting and of course ingenious recipes still amazes me.

Every time I feel stuck in any of the above noted areas, I just sit down for 10 minutes in front of the computer and inspiration strikes and life becomes a bit easier again.

Working with one of mum’s greatest daily challenges, eating habits of our shorter and cuter counterparts, can feel frustrating and disheartening. Because kids are picky and they are all different. While one asks for seconds at the same time as liking the last crumbs of the plate, the other rolls the eyes up in disapproval and disgust.

But do not despair.

Today I would love to share with you my sources of inspiration for simple scrumptious vegan recipes that even the kiddos will be hollering about (hopefully all of them at the same time). They’re free of crazy amounts of added sugar and have zip zilch zero funky chemicals and additives.

Raising happy healthy children and feeding your offspring with wholesome ingredients is going hand in and. Healthy organic living that starts at a young age, and the food that they consume will set them up for top-notch growing.

Enjoy our Elves in the Wardrobe vegan children recipe food guide.

Happy cooking!

Crispy Baked Tofu Fingers

Creamy Vegan Mac n’ Cheese via Vegan Yummies

4-Ingredient Zucchini Tater Tots via She Likes Food

Apple Oatmeal Bars

Vegan Carrot Dogs with Toppings 4 Ways via Inspiralized

Vegan Chocolate Peanut Butter Ice Cream via The Lemon Bowl

Vegan Broccoli Cheeze Chickpea Burgers

Vegan Pepperoni Pizza via Contentedness Cooking

Hot Chocolate Breakfast Smoothie via Running with Spoons

Three-Ingredient Marble Rice Krispie Treats via The Big Man’s World

Summer Vegetable Lasagna Rolls

Gluten Free Homemade Vegan Veggie Burgers via Cotter Crunch

Comforting No Meat Balls via Happy Healthy Mama

Vegan Roasted Garlic Mashed Cauliflower

Cauliflower Mac and Cheese via Making Thyme for Health

Grilled Banana Nutella Sandwich via Healthy Nibbles and Bits

Chocolate Hummus Cookie Sandwiches

Chocolate Banana Bread Sushi Rolls via Naive Cook Cooks

Vegan Meat Pasta Sauce via One Ingredient Chef

Vegan Ice Cream Sandwiches via Keepin it Kind

Vegan Buffalo Patties with Avocado Dip via Food Faith Fitness

Vegan Chocolate Freezer Fudge via Everyday Maven

Asian Peanut Noodles

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Energy Bites via Namely Marly

Baked Spaghetti with Kale, Mushrooms, and Tofu Ricotta

 

You don't eat your clothes so what are vegan baby clothes about? Here's how and why to choose vegan clothing, shoes, and accessories.

Vegan clothing is any garment made without animal products. Some animal products, like leather, are pretty obvious, but others might be a little harder to spot. Here's a list of things to avoid, if you want to keep dead animals out of families closet:

• leather
• fur
• silk
• feathers
• bone
• horn
• shell
• wool
• cashmere
• shearling
• angora
• shahtoosh
• snakeskin
• suede (microsuede is animal free, though)
• down
• pashmina
• mohair

Animal products can hide in unexpected places, so be sure to read the label on clothes before you buy. If you want some help, Happy Cow has a handy guide to common alternatives to leather, fur, wool, down, and silk.

If you have decided to take the vegan approach to raising your children, or even if you just want to make a few small lifestyle changes Elves in the Wardrobe have some great reasons to add vegan baby clothes to your infant's wardrobe.

Vegan Baby Clothes are Eco-Friendly, and Baby Friendly

Cotton growing accounts for a huge amount of the world's pesticide use, and if you wouldn't spray your baby with pesticides, then why spray your baby's clothing with it? Choosing vegan baby clothing ensures that no nasties have been used on your baby's clothes. From growing the organic cotton for baby clothing, to using organic and skin-safe dyes when the fabric is coloured.

This leaves the fabric wonderfully soft and perfect to dress your baby in. With no chemicals weakening the integrity of the fabric, the material will also last much longer, meaning you'll get many more washes out of your organic cotton baby clothing before it wears thin.

Vegan Baby Clothes Avoid Harming Others to Dress Your Child

Veganism isn't just a diet, it's way of life aimed at causing as little harm as possible. This means that the production of organic cotton baby clothing isn't just about how the fabric is grown. Our clothing is certified Fairtrade, organic, and vegan. This means that we keep our watchful eye on its production from seed to seam.

At Elves in the Wardrobe, we choose our clothing with as much social sense as we do ethical sense. For example our German Eco fashion label sense organics works closely with the Bridge School sector of the CRC. In particular, the SAVE organisation in Tiruppur, as this is right at the heart of sense organics main manufacturing hub. Bridge Schools help children who have been rescued, many from textile factories, back into education to help them lead successful lives. Bridge Schools promote a child-labour free society, in the hope that one day everyone can share the same ethics. After all, why harm someone else's baby, be it human or animal, just to dress your own?

Bring a More Peaceful Life to Your Household

When a lot of people think of veganism, they think about the diet and then stop there. However, if they apply that same thinking to clothing, then leather and fur are obvious no-nos. Still, wool is often forgotten about. After all, wool has long been considered to be a natural fibre, the production of which causes no more damage to the animal than shaving your beard or getting a haircut.
Unfortunately, with modern wool-production methods, this is no longer true. Without going into too many of the gory details (click on the link for more information), selective breeding has caused some sheep to have wrinkled skin which causes more nicks, cuts, and consequently infections. To stop infections damaging the wool, farmers have developed mulesing an incredibly cruel practice which in itself causes infections. Thanks to mass farming, the process of shearing itself has become damaging and barbaric.

Luckily, we live in an age where organic cotton is easily accessible, and is much softer on your baby's skin than wool would be. Adopting a vegan lifestyle, and starting with your baby's clothes, can lead you down a far more peaceful and planet friendly path this 2017.

The idea of taking your newborn baby outside in winter if you live in colder areas of Australia can be a little nerve-wracking.However, if you make the proper preparations and take the necessary precautions, it will be completely fine. This is especially the case when dressing your little one in our organic baby clothes, as you can be assured that your baby will be cosy and comfy!

How you dress your newborn baby for their first winter will differ depending on what kind of activities you'll be doing with them. Where you are taking them and what you're going to be doing will be the biggest deciding factors in this. What you opt to dress your newborn in during the winter will change if you're staying indoors, going for a ride in the car or for walk outside.

Dressing your newborn baby for winter indoors

 

 

The general rule for dressing a newborn baby is that they will need one more layer than an adult would be comfortable in. This still applies when you are indoors. So, assuming that the temperature at home is set fair and you feel warm enough in a t-shirt and jumper, your baby will likely need three layers. An undershirt and a shirt or l/s onesie, covered by a baby jumpsuit for indoor play should do the trick!

On the other hand, be careful not to overdress your baby while indoors, as overheating can be problematic and uncomfortable for them. You may be inclined to check their temperature by feeling their hands. But hands and feet usually feel slightly cooler than the rest of the body. The best way to check if your baby is too hot is by feeling their belly, as it is closer to their core and will give a more reliable indication of their overall body temperature.

Dressing your newborn baby for a car ride

Correctly dressing to go in the car can be a bit tricky, as cars can be very cold at first in winter, but quickly heat up. The best thing to do in this case is to dress your newborn in layers of our organic baby clothes. If you're heading to the car from indoors, the best idea is to keep your newborn dressed as they were at home, buckle them in and then tuck a blanket around them over the seat belt. This way, as the car heats up, you can remove the blanket so that your baby doesn't overheat.

If the car is exceptionally cold when you first get in, you might also be tempted to wrap your newborn up with a hat.

If so, just make sure that you can easily remove these items once it gets warmer inside the car. During the journey, make sure to keep an eye on your newborn for signs of overheating. Just in case they get warm quicker than you expect. These can include sweating, flushed cheeks and rapid breathing.

Dressing your newborn baby for a walk outside

Going outside for a walk in the pram to get fresh air is important for both you and your newborn baby, even if it's cold outside. As long as there isn't excessive wind, it's a nice sunny, winter day, and your baby is at least three weeks old, going out in low temperatures is perfectly fine. As long as you dress appropriately. Indeed, in many places in Scandinavia, it's common practice for parents to leave their babies outside in winter to nap!

Again, follow the advice of adding one more layer to your newborn than you yourself feel you need to wear, and consider a baby pram suit as a base layer, adding a jumper, tights and a jacket.

Gloves and a hat can also be a good idea in this case, and you may also wish to consider adding a windscreen to the pram if it doesn't already have one to avoid windburn.

As long as you wrap them up in enough layers and keep an eye on them for overheating, dressing your newborn baby for winter is easy, especially with Sense Organics' extensive range of soft, warm organic baby clothes to choose from!

With the clocks going back and the temperatures plummeting, winter is definitely on its way. Soon we'll all be reaching for scarves and umbrellas instead of flip flops and sunglasses. The arrival of winter doesn't mean that we ethical consumers should neglect our sense of style for us and our children!

Elves in the Wardrobe is here with a guide to ethical children's clothes for the colder months.

Organic cotton baby clothes for the winter

Dressing your baby for winter means thinking about layers. The general rule is to dress your baby in one more layer than an adult would be comfortable in. Whether you are indoors or outdoors, layering organic cotton baby clothes is a must. Adding accessories can also be great for changing temperature conditions. Putting on an organic baby hat is perfect for car journeys or other trips that start cold and get warmer.

When layering ethical children's clothes, you should think about adding a jumper or jacket. Our organic cotton knit wrap jacket by Sense Organics is perfect for keeping your little one cosy, while adding some winter style. For a long-sleeve organic cotton/wool onesie that's ideal for layering, our loud+proud baby onesie in grey will go with anything and keep your baby warm. A cute cat all over print makes it the perfect addition to a winter wardrobe.

For an even more versatile option, our Sense Organics Wrap Jacket offers the fashion-conscious parent two options depending on the rest of the outfit. Go for the plain side when layering, or bring out the polar bear print for guaranteed cuteness. We think choosing organic baby clothes should also mean you are spoiled for choice.

 

Fair Trade children's clothes: t-shirts and tops

The staple item for any season is the classic t-shirt. With winter on its way, it's time to think about stocking up on tops for layering and for those sunny days when a coat is too much.

With our never out of stock range by loud+proud, you will always be able to find the perfect shirt for layering.

All over prints have been really popular this season. Keep the rest of the outfit simple and let the monkeys or elephants do the talking!

Organic cotton jackets and jumpers

For the chilliest days spent jumping in puddles and kicking leaves, an organic cotton coat or hoodie is the ideal choice. Combined with a good pair of wellies and some organic pants or jumpsuits your child can enjoy the best of winter in supreme warmth.

 

This adorable reversible organic cotton jacket by German Eco fashion label loud+proud is one of our favourites. The cheeky monkey print is sure to appeal to your little one. It's the perfect example of fantastic quality, stylish and ethical children's clothes. Staying warm has never looked so cute!

Ethical children's clothes: sleepwear

Ethical children's clothing doesn't stop when it reaches bedtime.

Elves in the Wardrobe offers a small range of organic children's clothes for the small hours by Australian Eco fashion label G.Nancy.

Have the sweetest dreams with g.nancy's soft and snugly pjs, overall hand drawn 'home' print by local artist Oliver Robert Holmes.

The soft organic cotton will have her or him sleeping in comfort during the chilly months. Choosing Fair Trade unisex kids clothing also means that cotton farmers get the best price for their crops, so you can sleep easy knowing that you've done your bit.

 

To browse the entire range of ethical children's clothing from Elves in the Wardrobe, view our product pages . We've got the garments to keep your little ones warm, cosy and safe from harmful chemicals.

If you’re stocking up on warm clothes for your little one this winter, there are many reasons to choose ethical organic baby clothes. 

When choosing clothes for your baby, it is natural to look for baby clothes that will keep your child warm and comfortable. Choosing organic & ethical children’s clothes, offers many more benefits than just being kind to your baby’s skin.

From a seed sown in a field, all the way to a garment you buy in a shop, the journey of an item of clothing is long and involves many people and resources. Read on to learn why buying organic baby clothes is a great investment for everyone involved in this journey.

Buying Organic Baby Clothes Is Great for Your Bank Account

Studies have shown that organic cotton lasts up to five times longer than cotton produced with pesticides. When you wash clothes the cotton fibres start to break, which eventually will cause holes and tears. The more substances and chemicals you apply to a fibre, the weaker it gets. Many of the clothes that we buy have a Teflon, polymer or formaldehyde-based coating. This gives the clothes a smooth feeling and reduce shrinking and creasing. Unfortunately, this weakens the fibre.

Because baby clothes are washed more frequently, they have much higher wear and tear. Fortunately, organic cotton baby clothes are exposed to far less chemicals likely to weaken their fibres. Although you might spend a little more to start with, you’ll save money in the long run. Because organic baby clothes last so well, they not only save you money; they can also save your friends and family money by becoming hand-me-downs.

Ethical Children’s Clothes are Good for Others

When buying ethically sourced organic baby clothes, you are also putting money into the pocket of the family who made them. It’s far better to buy ethical baby clothes. This supports a company that provides a living wage and sound working conditions. For example, our newest brand addition: German Eco fashion label Sense Organics, have joined forces with Child Rights Cell (CRC) through SAVE Tiripur. So, not only does your money go to supporting the workers, but a percentage also goes to support CRC’s Bridge School scheme. Bridge schools support children rescued from child labour and provides them with an education and a fresh start.

When you buy ethical baby clothes, you make the choice to support the next generation of children in a developing country. Sense Organics products are also vegan and cruelty free. When choosing ethically sourced organic baby clothes, we strive to keep every step as ethical and environmentally friendly as possible.

Ethical Baby Clothes Benefit the Planet

Your child was created naturally, so why add chemicals to them as they grow? Humans may have used Cotton for thousands of years, but it’s come a long way from its humble origins. While only covering 2.5% of the world’s agricultural land, 25% of all insecticides and 18% of all pesticides used worldwide are used on cotton crops.

Not only is this harmful to our environment and our ecosystem, but it also damages the communities working on the crops. Without proper equipment and knowledge of pesticides, many workers fall ill and even die. Leaving their families without an income. Each year in the US alone, 10,000 workers die from cancers related to pesticide use, while in developing countries that figure more than doubles.

The life span of organic cotton clothing is important for the environment, too. It requires around 400 gallons of water to create one cotton t-shirt.  When 10.5 million tonnes of clothing are sent to landfill each year in the US, doing your bit to ensure the clothing you buy lasts as long as possible is something small but significant for the environment.

Buying ethical organic clothing not only benefits you and your family, it also helps the environment and workers in vulnerable communities. Ethical organic clothes are not only an investment for your child. They are an investment for the future of the planet they’re growing up in. 

To shop for ethical children clothes that are cute, comfortable and hard-wearing for your little one, check out our website!

Our elves are super excited to share with you all, our very first organic clothing shop in Bellingen, New South Wales, Australia.

After starting online two years ago, Elves in the Wardrobe has quickly outgrown its first home.

Following on from a wonderful experience running a pop up shop earlier this year, we decided that it was time open a permanent Elves in the Wardrobe shop. Our elves have been hard at work setting up the perfect new home for our organic goodies.

Our band new organic clothing shop

On 30 meters’ square, in the main street of Bellingen, our brand new Elves in the Wardrobe organic clothing shop offers a wide range of organic cotton baby and kids products. As always, our aim is to provide great quality, organic and of course, very cute baby and kids clothes to the residents of Australia.

Since opening the doors of our organic children’s store, we have been committed to extending our range of Eco fashion labels. Recently our focus has been on including Australian Eco fashion labels. Such as: G.Nancy and Mad about Mini. We absolutely adore all of our new Australian organic arrivals, which complement our extensive range of European Eco labels perfectly. In store, you will also find all our favourite brands; Loud+Proud, Ubang, Duns Sweden, Collegien, Alba of Denmark, More than a Fling, Nanchen Natur, Leela Cotton and Bisgaard. We cannot wait to continue expanding our exciting range of organic children’s clothes available in store and online.

We are so excited to see where this new chapter takes our passion for organic kid’s clothes. Thank-you all for your support over the past two years. This wouldn’t have been possible without you all.

If you are ever in the area, please pop in and say hello! Our elves would love the chance to meet you all.

In today's blog we are focusing on how dressing our kids in organic cotton clothing can help to relieve symptoms of eczema. By avoiding wearing clothing that irritates the skin, we can help reduce or eliminate the nasty symptoms of this ailment.

What is Eczema?

Eczema is very common in babies & young children, affecting up to one in five. It manifests as areas of dry, cracked, red, sore, skin, which can be very itchy and uncomfortable for babies. It sometimes even affects their sleep. Eczema most commonly appears at the elbows, knees, hands, face, scalp and around the neck. But can affect any part of the body. It can range from being very mild, with just a few small areas of dry, occasionally itchy skin, to very severe, with large areas of inflamed, cracked skin which is extremely itchy.

We do not yet fully understand what causes eczema. Often babies with eczema can grow out of the condition as they get older. There is no “cure” as such but there are some things you can do which help to relieve symptoms. The two things most strongly recommended by medical professionals are to avoid wearing clothing which irritates the skin and to avoid the use of harsh detergents and soaps. It is important to ensure that only very mild products are used on the skin of little ones. Today we focus on how the use of organic products can further enhance the benefits of both these recommendations.

How Organic Cotton Clothing Can Help

Using soft, natural organic cotton for your baby & children's clothing and bedding can be very helpful in relieving eczema symptoms. Organic cotton clothing is softer and more breathable than regular cotton. This makes it a better choice for babies & children with eczema and sensitive skin. Because no chemicals are used in the farming, production or dying of organic cotton, no pesticide residues are present in the finished product. In clothing produced by non-organic farming methods, these toxic chemicals can remain as a residue and can irritate the skin. Babies & children are particularly sensitive to anything that comes into contact with their skin. This is why it is so important to choose ultra-soft, chemical-free organic cotton clothing for them.

Avoid Synthetic Fibers

For those with sensitive skin or eczema, synthetic fabrics may cause itching and rashes due to irritation or an allergy. Synthetic fibers don’t allow the skin to breathe properly. This can cause sweat to build up on the skin, which is a common eczema trigger. Synthetic fabrics, such as nylon, polyester and rayon are most often made from chemically produced fibers. These chemicals can be absorbed through our skin, particularly if the skin is open as is often the case with eczema.  For these reasons, it’s best for anyone, especially children, with eczema, allergies or sensitive skin, to avoid using synthetic fabrics as they can further aggravate these conditions.

When organic cotton, breathable eczema clothing is combined with a good natural eczema cream, the skin will usually calm itself in less severe cases. But when a more serious treatment is necessary, consider locking in moisture by wrapping wet clothing over a layer of cream for an extended period of time. This is called wet wrap therapy and it is very effective for immediate relief, but it is not a permanent solution. For a permanent solution, consider an elimination diet and working on healing the gut.

Trying to find a unique approach to raise my two boys, led us as a family to discover the Rudolf Steiner based school education. One of our favourite elements of this system, is the emphasis on colour.

Rudolf Steiner believed  following daily, weekly and seasonal rhythms to be important for supporting our life forces, physical growth and general development.

There are wonderful articles about rhythm, to be found on Waldorf Today and Celebrate the rhythm of life.

Steiner outlined energies for each Day of the Week based on a number of factors.

Monday - Purple, Rice

Tuesday - Red, Oats

Wednesday -Yellow, Millet

Thursday - Orange, Rye

Friday - Green, Barley

Saturday - Blue, Corn

Sunday - White, Wheat

1. Clothing.

Our children love to wear an organic cotton shirt of the respective day colour. It makes things so much more simple for us all. There's no fuss getting dressed in the morning. On Friday, we wear green. So easy!

2. Day names.

Sometimes the name of the day can get muddled in our little one's minds. With reminders such as what the teachers are wearing and our children themselves; remembering 'Green Day' helps them feel safe, when 'Friday' may not. At home, we also have 'Chores Day - Monday', 'Karate Day’ - Tuesday', 'Swimming Day’ – Wednesday ….. though we really do enjoy involving the colours.

Here is a summary of every day of the week paired with the appropriate colour shirt

SUNDAY

To resolve out of absolutely full consideration, even in regard to that which is insignificant, to keep every thoughtless action, every insignificant action (deed) away from the soul. One should have well-formed reasons for every deed and one should, by all means leave alone that which has no significant motive. The so-called ‘real Judgment’ which does not depend on sympathy or antipathy: If one is convinced of the rightness of the resolution one has formed, one should hold fast to it.

This is ‘Real Judgment’.

Planet Archangel Tone Metal Tree Vowel

Sun Michael A Gold Ash Au

Crystal Colour Organ Cereal Age BD Prep

Ruby White Heart Wheat 21-42 yrs. 500 & 501

 

On Sundays wear our Loud+Proud L/S Organic Cotton Kids Shirt Bird!

MONDAY

In speaking, only what has sense or significance should come from the lips of those striving for higher development. Speaking for the sake of speaking is bad in the sense that general kinds of conversations where all subjects are jumbled together should be avoided. One shall, by no means, cut oneself off from one’s fellow companions, one should develop one’s conversation, step by step into something of significance.

One speaks and gives one’s answers thoughtfully. Thinking about the thing in all directions, never speaking without reason, rather loving to remain silent. One must try to utter neither too many words nor too few.

This is the ‘Right Word’.

Planet Archangel Tone Metal Tree Vowel

Moon Gabriel B Silver Cherry Tree Ei

Crystal Colour Organ Cereal Age BD Prep

Moonstone Purple Reproductive Rice Birth-7 yrs. 505 Oak Bark

 

On Mondays wear our Duns Sweden - Organic Cotton Tee Roses!

 

TUESDAY

The outward deeds; they should not be disturbing for other human beings; where one is caused to act out of one’s own inner conscience, to consider carefully, how one can meet the demands in the right way for the sake of the entire and continual development of one’s fellow human beings, the eternal.

If one acts out of oneself, out of One’s own inner initiative, thoroughly to anticipate the effects of one’s own actions:

This is the ‘Right Deed’.

Planet Archangel Tone Metal Tree Vowel

Mars Samuel C Iron Oak E

Crystal Colour Organ Cereal Age BD Prep

Diamond Red Gall Bladder Oats 42-49 yrs. 504 Nettle

 

On Tuesdays wear our Loud+Proud L/S Organic Cotton/Wool Kids Shirt Cats!

WEDNESDAY

The meaning of one’s life, to live in accordance with nature and spirit, not to lose oneself in the external hurry of life, to avoid everything that brings restlessness and haste into one’s life. To do nothing rash, yet not to be inwardly Idle. To see in life the means for working for higher development and to act accordingly.

One speaks in this connection of right life,

‘Right Standpoint’. 

Planet Archangel Tone Metal Tree Vowel

Mercury Raphael D Quick Silver Elm I

Crystal Colour Organ Cereal Age BD Prep

Topaz Yellow Lung glands Millet 7-14 yrs. 503 Chamomile

 

On Wednesdays wear our AlbaBaby Kids Shirt Koko!

THURSDAY

One should do nothing which lies outside one’s capacities, but one should do everything which is within one’s powers. One should place above everyday life, and that which happens at the moment, goals and ideals, which are in connection with the greatest duties a human being can have. For instance, to develop oneself, by making a habit of these exercises, in order to help one’s fellow human being all the more, to advise them, although perhaps not in the immediate future.

What has been said can be summed up in:

‘Make a habit of these exercises.’

Planet Archangel Tone Metal Tree Vowel

Jupiter Zaphnael E Tin Maple O

Crystal Colour Organ Cereal Age BD Prep

Sapphire Orange Liver Rye 49-56 yrs. 506 Dandelion

 

On Thursdays we wear Duns Sweden L/S Organic Cotton Kids Shirt Carrot!

FRIDAY

Strive to learn as much as possible. Nothing passes us without giving us occasion to accumulate the experience which is of value for our lives.

If one has performed anything wrongly or imperfectly, this can be an incentive for repeating the performance later on rightly and perfectly.
One will not do anything without looking back on experience from which one can derive help in one’s decisions and affairs. One can learn a great deal from everybody, also from children. Remember in the right way, experiences one has had.

This is called the ‘Right Memory’.

Planet Archangel Tone Metal Tree Vowel

Venus Ariael F Copper Birch A

Crystal Colour Organ Cereal Age BD Prep

Agate Green Kidneys Barley 14-21 yrs. 502 Yarrow

 

On Fridays we wear Loud+Proud L/S Organic Cotton/Wool Shirt Dog

SATURDAY

To pay attention to one’s ideas and thoughts. To think only significant thoughts. To learn little by little to discriminate between the essential and the non-essential, truth from mere opinion, the eternal from the transitory. To train to become inwardly absolutely silent in listening to the words of our fellowmen and to renounce expectations that the opinion of another will agree with one’s own, especially to renounce every criticism in thought and feeling.

This is the ‘Right Opinion’.

Planet Archangel Tone Metal Tree Vowel

Saturn Uriel G Lead Conifer,Beech U

Crystal Colour Organ Cereal Age BD Prep

Onyx Blue Spleen Corn 56-63 yrs. 507 Valerian

 

On Saturdays we wear More than a Fling Organic Cotton Kids Tee Cat

 

SUMMARY

To turn one’s gaze inwards from time to time, even if only for five minutes daily, at the same time. In so doing one should sink down into oneself, carefully take counsel with oneself, test and picture one’s principles of life, run through in thought one’s duties, think over the contents and true purpose of life.

In a word: Strive to discover the essential, the enduring, and earnestly work with the end in view, for instance, virtues to be acquired. (Not to fall into the mistake of thinking that one has done something well, but to strive ever further towards the highest prototypes.)

One also calls this exercise:

‘Right Examination’.