All

Here at Elves in the Wardrobe we love to talk about organic cotton because it not only feels great on our little one’s skin, but also has a positive impact on many other levels. So, let’s talk a bit more about Organic Cotton!

What is organic cotton production?

Organic cotton production does not simply mean replacing synthetic fertilizers and pesticides with organic ones. Organic cultivation methods are based more on knowledge of agronomic processes than input-based conventional production is.

The systemic approach aims to establish a diverse and balanced farming ecosystem. This ideally includes all types of crops and farm activities. Farms need to complete a two-year conversion period to change their production system from conventional to organic. An essential element of organic cotton production is the careful selection of varieties adapted to local conditions in terms of climate, soil and robustness to pests and diseases.

Soil fertility management and crop nutrition are based on crop diversification and organic inputs such as compost, mulch and manures. Pest management measures focus essentially on pest prevention and the stimulation of a balanced ecosystem.

Soil fertility management

The organic matter, which only accounts for 0.5 to 5 % of the soil, is of crucial importance for a soil’s fertility and water retention capacity. It ensures a good porosity and good infiltration of water. Organic matter particles keep the soil moist for a long time and retain essential nutrients for plants. Moreover, organic material hosts numerous beneficial soil organisms that improve soil fertility. Many soils on conventional farms lack organic matter due to intensive cultivation and an overuse of mineral fertilizers.

To obtain good and stable soil fertility, organic farmers ensure a continuous supply of organic material to the soil. The most important source are residues of the crops grown on the field itself, such as leaves, stalks and roots, and they are applied to the soil in the form of green manure, mulch or compost. Other sources include organic manures, oil cakes and liquid fertilizers such as (biogas) slurry.

Composting transforms organic material from the farm into high-value natural manure. Compost, applied to the field as basal application or as a top dressing, provides the crop with well-balanced nutrients and helps increase soil organic matter content.
Integrating animal husbandry into cotton production provides the farm with high-quality manure. Correct storage of the manure (not too moist, not too dry) is essential in order not to lose nutrients. The manure should preferably be integrated into the compost along with other organic materials. Lots of peasant families use cattle as their farm “mechanisation”.

Crop rotation and mixed cropping are essential elements in organic cotton production in order to maintain soil fertility. Rotation helps prevent leaching from soils, a build-up of critical pest populations and also diseases and weeds. As the organic cultivation method dispenses with mineral nitrogen fertilizers, it is important to grow cotton in rotation with leguminous plants such as beans, peas or soya beans. They fix nitrogen from the air and make it available to the plant, thus improving soil fertility.

To maintain soil fertility, water and wind erosion should be prevented. Applying compost and practicing mixed cropping contribute significantly to making soils less prone to erosion. As further measures, green fences or stone walls can be built around fields.

Pest management

In conventional farming, cotton is considered a crop that is highly sensitive to pest attack. Large quantities of synthetic pesticides are sprayed to keep them under control. In organic farming, however, the use of synthetic pesticides is not allowed.

The organic approach adopts a completely different approach: the aim is first and foremost to prevent pests from even becoming a problem by establishing a diverse and balanced farm ecosystem and by monitoring pest populations carefully. Organic pest management strategies include:

Crop rotation: Monocultures provide potential cotton pests with abundant food sources, causing their populations to increase rapidly. Furthermore, the use of pesticides against major pests can result in secondary pests (Internal link) becoming a problem. Crop rotation, however, helps to keep pests at a low level by establishing a natural balance.

Mixed cultivation: Has a similar effect to crop rotation but on a smaller area within the same cultivation period and the same field.

Promotion of natural enemies: Not using pesticides and diversifying crops benefits natural enemies of cotton pests such as birds, ladybirds, beetles, spiders, parasitic wasps, bugs and ants. They help the farmer keep pest attacks at tolerable levels. Providing suitable habitats for natural enemies such as ladybirds or lacewings can help to increase and establish their populations.

Trap crops: Some cotton pests prefer crops like maize, sunflower, okra (lady finger), sorghum, pigeon pea or hibiscus to cotton. By growing these crops along with cotton as a trap crop, the cotton crop is spared. In Tanzania, experience has shown that sunflower is an efficient trap crop for the American bollworm. In West Africa, the use of okra as a trap crop shows satisfying results in fighting bollworms and other cotton pests. In addition to their positive impact in terms of pest control, these crops can be harvested and thus contribute to diversified production systems.

Natural pesticides: If preventive measures are not sufficiently efficient and pest populations exceed the economic threshold, a number of natural pesticides can be used in organic cotton cultivation.

Harvest and post-harvest quality management

Usually, the organic cotton price is fixed according to the quality of the seed cotton. The most important measures to improve organic cotton quality during and after harvest are as follows:

• Remove leaves, capsules and damaged bolls from the cotton harvest.
• Pick and transport harvested cotton in clean cotton cloth material, never in nylon or other synthetic fabrics in order to avoid contamination with foreign fibres (from clothes, human hair, packaging material, etc.).
• Pick only mature cotton. Unripe cotton fibres do not absorb dyes well enough.
• Keep the cotton harvest dry. It should be picked in dry conditions, avoiding harvesting when there is morning dew or after rainfall. Storage also needs to be in a dry place.
• Prevent cotton from becoming contaminated with dust or chemicals, especially fertilizers, pesticides and petroleum.
• The use of any storage pest control (e.g. DDT) on harvest cotton is prohibited.
• Clearly separate organic cotton from non-organic cotton or cotton in conversion in order to avoid mixing.

 

Benefits of Organic Cotton

Organic cotton shows great benefits at various levels of the value chain. Farmers, traders, retailers and consumers all benefit from the economic, social and ecological advantages of organic cotton projects.

Fairtrade and Organic – the combination with a difference

Fairtrade is primarily a social label and focuses on improving the working and living conditions of smallholder farmers in the South. However, Fairtrade standards also include environmental criteria. Organic is explicitly linked to environmentally friendly agriculture. It is not just the environment that benefits from its ban on the use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides; farmers’ health is all the better for it too. Fairtrade and organic complement each other perfectly. Combining the two is a way of strengthening the position of farming families socially and environmentally as well as supporting their development.

Nestled between the beautiful Bellingen River and Dorrigo Mountain, Elves in the Wardrobe has called Bellingen their home town for over 3 years now. We absolutely adore the picturesque, bohemian, quirky & charming little town we call home. It is known for its charm and artistic lifestyle Australia wide.

Anyone who has been to Bellingen, will have visited the historically rich, Hammond and Wheatley Emporium building. This nineteenth century department store houses jewellery and home wares from all over the world. As well as top-class clothing ranges, right in the heart of Bellingen.

Naturally, when the offer came to present our organic cotton range for babies & kids in the Emporium’s little side shop, we couldn’t resist. On Saturday, March 4^th 2017 our pop up shop opened its doors to the public. We could not be more delighted to present our range of beautiful & soft clothes from European Eco fashion labels for the next 4 weeks.

Locals as well as tourist have made their way into our shop. Taking advantage of our great sale items from last season as well as our beautiful, brand new range of warmer clothes for the new Autumn/Winter season. We are absolutely loving the extent to which people are appreciating and embracing our fair trade organic cotton clothes.

Our New Range

Our new range of organic cotton/wool clothing from German Eco fashion label loud+proud has been attracting a lot of attention.

It is wonderful for people understand & appreciate the benefits and characteristics of wool fiber:

Natural and renewable – wool is grown not made; every year sheep grow a new fleece. Wool products also use less energy than man-made fibres during manufacturing.

Sun safe – wool has naturally high UV protection.

Flame retardant – wool fibre has a higher ignition threshold than many other fibres and is flame retardant up to 600º C. It also produces less toxic fumes in a fire.

Biodegradable – when disposed of, natural wool fibre takes only a few years to decompose. With a high nitrogen content, wool can even act as a fertilizer.

Breathable – wool’s natural structure allows it to absorb and release water vapour into the atmosphere, keeping you warm in winter and cool in summer.

Non-allergenic – wool is not known to cause allergy and does not promote the growth of bacteria. With microscopic scales, wool fibres can trap dust in the top layers until vacuumed away.

Durable and elastic – wool fibre can be bent 20,000 times without breaking and still have the power to recover and return to its natural shape. Quality wool garments look good for longer.

Easy care – modern wool can be machine-washed; retaining a small amount of natural oil. Wool fibre resists dirt and grease.

Multi-Climatic – wool acclimatizes to its surroundings.

Naturally insulating – wool can insulate the home providing and retaining warmth, and reducing energy costs.

We cannot wait to see more happy shoppers in our pop-up store. If you are in the area, please come by and say hello!

Being an agent for our most loved, but new to the Australia, German Eco fashion brand loud+proud has presented an exciting opportunity for Elves in the Wardrobe.For me, this has meant going above and beyond ‘normal agent ways’ of phone calls, emails and drop in visits.

We wanted to take loud+proud to a place where trendy, stylish & exclusive meets the retail market.

With this is mind, our Elves in the Wardrobe team packed our bags and travelled to Life InStyle for kids in Sydney. For four exciting days, we participated as an exhibitor for organic wholesale clothing with loud+proud.

Because I absolutely adore every aspect of this German Eco fashion company, it has been an easy decision to take on the role as an Australian agent for loud+proud.

As a retailer, I only ever stock products and product ranges due to their fantastic quality and great unique designs and use fair trade production and organic fabrics. loud+proud well and truly ticks these boxes.

In the four days, we spent at Life InStyle for Kids we had the chance to speak and connect with many people that are involved with baby and children retail businesses.

Here are the biggest key-points that make loud+proud a real winner:

1. Playful, colourful and out of the box.

Our loud+proud stand clearly stood out from the crowd as the designs are anything but boring. Retailers felt drawn to our bright green stand because of the cute & colourful animal prints & reversible designs. The designs support the imagination and sensory development of babies, toddlers & kids

2. Fantastic quality with very competitive pricing.

Initially, it was the design that caught the attention of the searching retailer. However, after coming closer and touching the organic fabrics everyone was amazed by their quality. As well as the very competitive pricing.

3. Made in Europe

A developing trend has seen an increasing number of retailers steer away from Made in China products. We have seen them actively searching for alternatives such as Europe or Australia. All of loud+proud’s organic baby

and kids clothes are made in Europe. Either in Portugal, Hungary or Germany. And the quality speaks for itself.

4. GOTS certified production.

From growing & manufacturing the organic cotton in Turkey. To manufacturing the clothes in Portugal, Hungary and Germany. Every product purchased from loud+proud is GOTS certified. GOTS (global organic textile standard) is a worldwide standard for the highest requirements in production chain, material sustainability and fair production requirements.

5. Age range

loud+proud caters for newborn babies up to size 8 in the colourful prints. They also have a range of basic organic kid’s clothes that even go all the way up to size 14. New as well, is the small range of women’s clothes and underwear that will make a perfect match to their little one’s outfit.

Overall Life InStyle was a fantastic experience and a great way to introduce loud+proud to the Australian Organic Wholesale Market.

No buyers guilt here! Both my son and I love his organic Ubang tee from Elves in the Wardrobe.The first thing he said trying it on was, “Oh it's so soft.” The material really is very soft, much softer than non-organic fabric with chemical dyes, and even softer than some other eco kid’s clothes we have tried before.

Before deciding which one to try on Caius took his time, looking at the selection of clothes Elves in the Wardrobe displays. What he wears is important to Caius, he's got a distinct taste in clothes already, and he's only five and a half (don't forget the half, mum). Looking at the organic cotton tee with a critical eye he exclaimed, “I love the pictures on her clothes, they are different from all other clothes.”

Verena from Elves in the Wardrobe has a knack for choosing a combination of labels and styles with very unique and fun prints and patches. Shopping for clothes for Caius is rarely easy because as well as caring for looks he is very sensitive to how clothes feel on his body. Often he'll complain about rough seams, and the back of prints and patches. Not this time.

Although the s/s shirt he picked has a big tractor patch on it stretching all the way to the arm pit where the scoop's teeth extend out it felt soft against his skin. We've gotten many laughs out of it as he tries to chomp me with the tractor scoop. This organic cotton tee is soft, fun, and ethical but it's also strong. I've lost count on how many times I've washed it now, Caius has worn it a lot, he's a very active child who loves everything outdoors, climbing, bike riding, and anything involving dirt so finding clothes that last is a challenge. The shirt's seams are still straight, the collar isn't stretched, no sneaky holes and the colours are still super bright.

Best of all though is that I know I've supported a small family and not a capitalist company exploiting the earth and workers. In our modern world shopping is a political and ethical statement and this shopping experience was Buyers Power at it's best.

Sophia Hawkes, mother of Caius (5years)

Loud+Proud is an German based Eco Fashion label for children and was founded in 2008 by Barbara Schüsselbauer. The company has grown into a well-established family business with her husband Ingo Hecking joining her in 2013.

In 2015, Elves in the Wardrobe became part of the loud+proud family and as well as stocking loud+proud clothes in our online- shop we also represent loud+proud as an agent to give Australian retailers the opportunity to share the fantastic organic quality with Australian families.

Elves in the Wardrobe took the opportunity to interview Ingo Hecking and share more insights about loud+proud with our readers.

What stands behind the Eco fashion label loud+proud?

In the 2008 loud+proud my wife Barbara Schüsselbauer founded GmbH and I joined her in 2013.

Prior to that my wife worked for many years as a designer in sports fashion and after the birth of our two children, she was looking to create a sustainable alternative in kid’s fashion.

This was achieved by combining her own style with sustainability and fair production.

What does  loud+proud mean?

Our company name stands for loud children and their proud parents. We offer organic cotton kids wear, that is cool & comfortable at the same time as making sure no harmful chemicals will enter the wardrobe of your precious little ones.

What makes a typical loud+proud product?

We put a lot of emphasis on fresh & vibrant water based colours and only use cotton from certified organic production. loud+proud got known for our changing animal prints, practical reversible products and water repellent cotton-products with environmental friendly impregnation.

Do kids love your organic cotton clothes too?

We get a lot of feedback from mothers telling us that especially the changing animal prints are very attractive for kids. Mothers place their importance more on the great organic quality, practical & comfortable fit and the sustainability.

Loud+Proud received the environmentally friendly GOTS licence. What does that mean?

GOTS (global organic textile standard) is a worldwide standard with the highest production chain, material sustainability and fair production requirements. Every GOTS Company will get checked & certified on a regular base from picking the cotton to the delivery of the finished products.

Where does your label get produced?

We only produce our clothes in Europe, Portugal, and Hungary and since 2015 in our own sewing manufactory in Germany.

What do I need to watch when it comes down to sustainable eco fashion for children?

The fashion trend sustainability attracts a lot of chess players, who presents themselves as very sustainable, but only produces a fraction of their products that way. Also, people like to advertise with GOTS certified organic fabrics, without being certified. They promote their business through a partial area of GOTS certified organic fabrics. But under what conditions these organic fabrics get processed is very unclear. That is why it is important to always check the clothes labels for the GOTS-logo. Only products that meet all the requirements in the production chain are allowed to carry the GOTS logo. In our opinion that is the solution to guarantee sustainable fair trade organic clothes production.

Can you tell us a bit more about your ‘never out of stock’ program?

We have a summer and a winter collection every year. But a big part of our range is the always available – ‘never out of stock’ collection. Retailers are able to restock any products whenever there is a need to reorder, without any risks. Many of our new stockists and start up businesses like to start this way to gain experience. It also creates continuity for customers.

What is the fashion trend for winter 2017?

We can only speak for ourselves. Our autumn & winter collection has bright red, blue and green colours. Combinability is important for us and like every new season, there are two new animal prints. This season we have a classical cat & dog print. As well as our classical organic cotton products, we are offering a range of organic cotton & wool products & reversible knit jumpsuits

Can you tell us a little bit about your next big projects for loud+proud?

We have almost finished our big project of renovating our over 400-year-old company building in Hersbruck. In 2015, we integrated our own sewing manducatory in East Germany. Our main focus for this year will be on the International Market, with focus on Australian Retailers. We will be participating in the upcoming Instyle for Kids in Sydney from Feb 16^th – 19^th and looking forward to show our products to Australian Retailers.

For all you current and coming projects we wish you all the best, Mr. Hecking!

Ever since my boys arrived on the scene, I was determined to find clothes for them that not only felt good (organic, fair trade, cotton production with a minimal impact on the environment), but also were unisex. Not just covered in dinosaurs, bob the builder, robots & Star Wars (just to name a few). I wanted a colour range that was more than just blue, black, grey and green.

Looking back, it certainly wasn’t a straightforward exercise and required a lot of research on my behalf to find brands that were colourful, gender-neutral, organic and sustainable.

This is how Elves in the Wardrobe was born.

Unisex children’s clothes

These can be so difficult to find because stereotypes have become so strong in the fashion industry. This can be extremely difficult when, like me, you have boys that like to try it all: purple & pink, dresses & skirts, pussy cats, cars you name it!

Back in my day (I'm a 70s baby) we wore mostly brown and orange. Lego was only produced in primary colours, and bikes, in general, were red, blue or white. Pink was just another colour. Fast-forward a few decades and pink has become the epitome of femininity and used to market everything; from toys to clothes. The same pink-or-blue tropes dominate clothing as well as toy offerings for kids, but it hasn’t always been this way.

Until around World War I, pastels were standard for children's clothing, but today's gender-hue correlations weren't in place, per the Smithsonian. At first, pink was a more masculine colour, and blue was considered softer and more appropriate for girls. These conventions didn't switch until the 1940s, when gendered kids' clothing really became a thing. The effects go beyond merely dressing a tot in pink or blue: "Children may then extend this perspective from toys and clothes into future roles, occupations, and characteristics,” Megan Fulcher, associate professor of psychology at Washington and Lee University, told The New York Times.

Gender-neutral brands

Interestingly enough, gender-neutral children's clothing brands have actually been around for decades, and they've been particularly popular in Scandinavia & Europe and lead to way to a gentler & age appropriate approach to childhood.

I have spent a lot of time researching unisex, organic clothes and have truly come to appreciate Internet shopping. Everyone who has a baby & toddler, lives in rural Australia and is conscious about their children’s wardrobe will understand what I am talking about. It is near impossible to find organic, gender-neutral clothes without it.

How we find these clothes when we search the internet, however is dependent upon key directions and search terms such as “organic clothes for boys” or “girl’s dresses”. These specific search terms help parents find beautiful organic clothes for their children and are an important part of online business. Hence the categorisation of the products in my store. I encourage everyone to look at all of the products irrespective of their categories and chose the organic clothes that will best support your children’s free spirits.

The organic, eco-friendly, gender-neutral labels I found back in my early motherhood years & presently can be found on our Elves in the Wardrobe website prove that kids should just be (and dress like) kids, free of any gender-confining messaging.

The baby shower is an important rite of passage for the mum-to-be! Our elves have put together a baby shower gift guide to help guests out.

Baby showers are great. Experienced mums can reassure the mum-to-be that her baby is going to be the perfect baby who sleeps through the night from birth (What?... It might happen).

Family and friends can guess the gender and make meaningful name suggestions.

For many guests, a baby shower is also their last opportunity to let the mum-to-be know that they’ll there for her; ready to be enthusiastic about each and every one of her baby’s milestones or to babysit when she needs a well-earned rest.

Of course, it wouldn’t be a party without a few gifts and those cute, teeny, tiny baby items have been known to get their fair share of ‘Ohhh’.

If you’ve got the budget to match your passion, you can go for items like prams, car seats and baby bouncers. But for those on a budget, don’t worry there are plenty of affordable and cheerful gifts out there that will still tick all the boxes. Think organic baby rattles, organic baby hats, organic heating bags and of course, the organic baby onesie!

To get you in the right baby shower mood, we’ve put together the ultimate baby shower gift guide including our top tips for your special present and some of our favourite gift ideas for babies and their mums.

Top Tips

• Babies grow into crawlers and toddlers very quickly. When buying clothes, aim for sizes 62/68 (3 – 6 months) and above. Some babies will never even see the newborn size, so we suggest you play it safe and buy clothes for 6-15 months+. Here is our general guide to baby clothes sizes: 50/56 (0-3 month olds), 62/68 (3-6 month olds), 74/80 (6-15 month olds), 86/92 (15 months to 24 month).
• If you do decide to buy for when bubby is a little older, it is important to consider what season it is likely to be when the item does fit. If you go for a size 62/68 or size 74/80, for example, consider what the weather is likely to be about 6 months after the baby is born.
• Consider practicality – it might be cute, but that jumpsuit with a dozen buttons is going to end up driving everyone crazy.
• Babies sure are expensive – if you’re game to help the parents-to-be out, consider pooling your money together with other guests and buying a larger group gift.

Organic Baby Shower Gift Ideas

Cheap and cheerful…
• Organic Plush toys
• Rattles
• Comforters
• Books
• Activity mirror
• Birth announcement cards
• Socks
• Shoes
• Clothes
• Nappies
• Wall art
• Milestone cards
A bit more… (but still under $100)
• Nappy Wallet
• Mobile
• Wall Art
• Cot sets
• White noise CD’s
• Birth prints
• Baby booties
• Baby calmer
• Sleeping bag
• Pram accessories
• First aid kit
Splash out…
• Moses basket
• Nappy bags
• Cot sets
• Baby blanket
• Personalised jewellery
• Play mat
• High chairs
• Toddler swing
• Baby carrier
Baby bouncer

Our Favourite Organic Baby Shower Gifts

Baby Blessing Hamper

by Bellingen Picnic Company

Are you looking for a gift that looks after both mum and baby but want to avoid the traditional pastel pink and blue hampers?  Well, here it is!  The perfect gift that looks after both mum and baby. For baby, there is an adorable organic unisex loud+proud onesie and a soft cuddly toy that doubles as a lavender infused heat/cool pack. To help ensure restful nights for all involved, there are handmade soaps from soap cakes that are gentle enough even for newborn skin. There are also Drishti Dream Walker Tea Light Candles.  Mum can relax with a cup of Aum Noms Faeries Rest Tea in a handmade ceramic mug by Gloria Malone.  There's also nourishing Botanical Blessings Belly Balm and the Revitalising Rose Face Mist that can freshen up even the most sleep deprived of new mums.

Feel & rattle

Organic Baby Soft Rattle Banana by Nanchen Natur

You can never start to early on the fruits & vegies!

Especially when they are as cute looking, organic and always fresh like this organic soft toy rattle by German Eco Label Nanchen Natur. http://www.nanchen-puppen.com/en/

They also help with the sensory development of your baby.

Snuggle Bunny

Organic Plush Toy ‘Dancing Marie’ by Nanchen Nature

Everyone needs one, we reckon. Your first best friend! Even my almost 8 years old son Enam still carries ‘Mr. Mousy ‘ everywhere and rubs his nose when he goes to sleep every night. Mr. Mousy was his first snuggle toy, given by his grandparents when he was a baby.

Organic Baby Onesie & Hat Combo

By German Eco label loud+proud

We love the unisex designs by loud+proud as it gives you almost endless possibilities to mix & match clothes, accessories & outfits. You can start with the organic baby onesie & reversible hat combo and than slowly upgrade to the matching reversible pants, jumpsuits, jackets & shirts. What a fun way to grow together!

Alongside the joy of the holiday season, comes stress levels that at times, can rise through the roof. There is so much to do! Family dinner, shopping for gifts, decorating the house, setting up the tree, baking treats, the list goes on.

WAIT! What about the stockings?!

Stocking Stuffers, can turn into a dreaded exercise, as they can’t be too big or too small. They need to be just the right size to fit into a stocking!

DO NOT DESPAIR!

We have the some extremely qualified experts in this field working for us.

Our elves have been extremely busy compiling a few handy hints to ensure your stockings are just right and make this Christmas a very enjoyable one.

To start with, here are a few pointers to get you on the right track:

1. Put some thought into choosing organic "quality" rather than cheap "quantity" objects to fill your stockings! These gifts will be a long lasting & enjoyable experience for your children instead of a 3-day play that ends up in the rubbish bin.
2. Make sure you choose a mix of organic essentials (such as socks) that the kids need, along with fun things for them. This will guarantee happiness for everyone.

 

If you're still lacking inspiration or ideas, our expert-elves have put a little list together of their favourite stocking fillers for this Christmas!

1. $25, $50, $75, $100, $150, $200 Elves in the Wardrobe Gift Vouchers

Elves in the Wardrobe gift vouchers are an ideal choice for this special occasion. They are especially great for older kids who like to choose for themselves. It’s simple. You decide how much money to give; they decide how to spend it. It’s a win-win for everyone.

2. Organic Boys & Girls Tee Gingerbread Cookie by Duns Sweden

There is no better way to celebrate Christmas than dressing your children in an organic shirt that brings out the Christmas spirit in everyone. Something that can be loved & worn year after year (or until they grown out of it) and passed on to the next generation.

…. Also available in blue

3. Organic Baby Rattles by Nanchen Natur

A great alternative for the traditional fresh fruit & nuts in our little ones stocking.

Little organic peas, carrots & bananas by German Eco label Nanchen Natur! Not only do they look absolutely yummy, but also make a beautiful soft rattling sound when your little ones start to play.

Our elves had a bit of an argument about which one is their favourite. We totally understand.

4. Organic Knee & Ankle Socks

We all agree. Everyone needs socks.

But how about something that is essential to a child's wardrobe as well as absolutely fun to dress your kids in.

Organic girls & boys socks by Danish Label Ubang have it all.

From dressing up as a ballerina to turning into a tiger, elephant, cat or dog to getting into the Christmas cheer with some fantastic reindeer socks!

They also make a great hand puppet!

Endless possibilities of play, dress up and organic wardrobe essential!

5. Organic Heating Bag / Soft Toy by Pat & Patty

Our elves just love these little guys and they are one of our most popular gift idea.

Filled with organic lavender & buckwheat these little guys help to promote a good sleep and calm stressed nerves.

They are great for snuggle up time, a calm playtime or car companion and make a fantastic sleeping buddy.

6. Collegien Slipper Socks

If you don't know them yet, its time to discover them, and if you do, its high time you add them to your child’s wardrobe.

They are as soft as a sock, and as comfortable as slippers!!!

SLIPPER SOCKS, that will keep your feet heavenly warm & comfortable!

And not just any slipper socks.

These are FRENCH slipper socks made by a 5th generation family business in the south of France.

Let your little Angel enter the magical world of Elves & Fairies with this vibrant and playful slipper sock.

7. Girls Bandana’s by Alba of Denmark

Every girl like to dress up.

Little accessories in her stocking will just make her Christmas day!

8. Denim Sun Hat by Alba of Danmark.

Talking about essentials. The ultimate for an Australian summer. Stylish sun protection is a must in every Australian Christmas Stocking if you ask our elves!

 

Our Elves would like to wish you a fantastic advent season and happy stocking filling.

As temperatures rise here in Australia and the big summer holidays creep closer, outside adventures, trips & activities have started to become one of my motherly priorities. So too has finding the most appropriate, organic swimwear.

Going to the beach after you have kids, is definitely less relaxing than it once was.

A good book, maybe a nap, a nice relaxing walk along the beach and possibly even a cold drink… ring any bells?

Now it is more of a military operation requiring very strategic planning and preparation. However, given that we live so close to Australian’s lush east coast beaches, we have more or less got our beach trips down to a fine art now.

Here are some useful hints & tips from us here at Elves in the Wardrobe to make your next beach trip smooth as possible, even if you don’t get a nap or time to read!

1. Put sunscreen on before you go out – that way you won’t be trying to apply it to a kid who is dancing about trying to get in the water, and they won’t get sand stuck to them as it will be dry by the time you arrive. It’s a really good idea to invest in a proper outfit to protect delicate skin. Organic swimwear is by far our favourite! We love the Smafolk Swimsuit Apples as it covers almost the whole body and it very easy & fast to get your little ones dressed in.

2.Equally as important is the hat wear for every family member! Especially with Australian’s harsh sun conditions, children should never leave the house without a proper sun hat. Perfect for the beach are the organic Smafolk sun / beach hats with Apples, as they not only cover all the highly exposed areas but also is made of the same UV protective material as the swimsuit and can get wet!

 

3. Bring some shade! You can get some really lightweight and easy to fold pop up tents, perfect for naps in the shade and for keeping your little ones and drinks cool too. Especially if you don’t want to lug a cool box about with you! Check out these great options!

4. If you’ve got smaller kids, a travel potty can make the day a lot easier than trekking to the nearest public loo (if there is one!) and having to take all the kids with you too.

5. Bring two towels for each person plus a change of organic clothes kept in a separate bag. This way they won’t end up all sandy by the time you come to put them on at the end of the day. You can then stick the wet sun suits and towels into these bags to take home to wash! Dressing gowns can also be a godsend for shivery just-out-of-the-water kids who still want to play but can’t keep a towel wrapped around them!

6. Buckets and spades are wonderful but help your kids find other things to play, explore and build with. Shells, seaweed, rocks, cuttlefish… so many things to learn and discover.

7. Talcum powder is the best way to ‘de-sand’ the kids, sprinkle it on liberally and then just brush the sand off with no complaints!

8. Healthy snacks & drinks that provide good hydration, are light, easy to make & digest AND fill up their tummies. These are some of our favourite!

9. Most of all, enjoy it!

With the arrival of Spring, your children are probably raring to get outdoors. Free outside play is so important for kids. We should all encourage our kids to step away from the screens every now and then and step outside. We have compiled a great list of outdoor activities for kids of all ages (even parents).

We are fans of exploring outdoors no matter what the weather throws at us. We are mostly blessed with glorious weather here in Australia, however this Spring we have still been experiencing some rainy, windy & chilly days. This is why it is super important to travel with and dress for all weather extremes. Sun cream, waterproofs and plenty of snacks are always a must.

There is nothing fun about dragging a sun burnt, wet or hungry child on what is supposed to be a fun filled adventure.

Dressing your children for outdoor activities can be tricky. High quality organic fabrics are your best bet because they are breathable and won’t cling while your children are running around and inevitably getting hot and sweaty.

Organic kid’s clothes are also extremely durable due to the high quality of the organic material used. No matter how many tumbles they take, after a quick wash your organic children’s clothes will be as good as new. Our advice is to layer your beautiful children in organic kid’s clothes, always pack a spare set just in case and choose something happy & bright that will inspire your children’s outdoor play.

Here are our Elves top picks for organic kids clothes for outdoor play.

Our Favourite Outdoor Activities:

Treasure Hunt

There is nothing more exciting than putting a ‘real pirate treasure map’ in the hands of your kids and let them go on a hunt. This activity naturally requires that you know the area quite well, so that you are able to draw a little map that is easy to understand and follow for your children.  It is a great way to explore nature, enriches their imagination, improves coordination & creative thinking and they can actually find a real treasure. The pirate treasure needs to be buried while the kids are occupied and can be anything you like. My two boys absolutely love treasure hunts, any occasion, any time!

Scavenger Hunt

If you’re heading to the local park or to the beach, why not create a list of items your children can look out for. If you have children that can’t read, why not use images to show what they need to find. Get them interested in the world around them by encouraging them to really notice their surroundings

Create a collage

A fun way to remember all the fun of the Summer holidays is by having something you’ve created about one of your adventures. Collect some sand from the beach or leaves from the park and create a collage on your return home.

Check for local events

Many National Parks provide special activities, especially around the holiday seasons. It’s defintiely worth searching your local paper or website and checking what they have on offer.

Enjoy your own outdoor Olympics

Once your children are outdoors it can be fun to get them moving as much as possible. This is not only great for their health; it also means they are really tired by bedtime. Creating your own outdoor Olympics could be lots of fun for the whole family. Who can win the 100m sprint to the beach? Get your children to come up with ideas for races or events and celebrate the winners of each event. You can get medals from most dollar stores or the party section in the Supermarket.

 

For more ideas on amazing outdoor activities for the whole family,

please click here.

We’d love to know how you encourage your little ones to get outdoors.

Finding beautiful organic clothes for boys is hard and was one of the major influences in my decision to create Elves in the Wardrobe.Looking for the perfect clothes for my boys is never a straightforward shopping experience. It demands a lot of research, perseverance and testing. Not only am I looking for great unique designs – I am looking for something sturdy and durable enough to conquer any bike races, dragon fights, puddle jumps and rock climbing. If you then factor in the concept of organic, fair trade products that are made from quality soft fabrics and are comfortable enough to snuggle up to… the task just gets harder.

When choosing outfits for my boys, their own sense of comfort and aesthetic is also an important factor. Many a time I have been so sure that I was on to a winner, only to have my boys put me in my place and let me know that they are not a fan of my choice.

Did I mention that finding organic clothes for my boys is hard? With so many factors to consider, many may put this into the too hard basket but I promise it is so, so worthwhile. Nothing makes me prouder than when my boys happily get dressed into fun, functional organic kids clothes each and every morning.

To help you out, I have put together my top picks for organic boy’s clothes this Spring. Not only have they been hand-picked for Elves in the Wardrobe considering all of the above points, they have also undergone the hardest test possible: they have been worn & worn & worn by my two boys.

Let’s start with tops:

1. Duns Sweden Organic Boys Tee Carrot

I am a strong believer in unisex clothes and the days of pink & red are for girls and blue is for boys are officially over!

It is a fact that boys like colourful designs in red/orange/yellow & even pink too!

With the bright & funky designs of Duns Sweden the boys are truly standing out from the normal colour & design range of boys clothes. Most importantly these organic & fair trade tee’s are designed to last and are incredibly soft & comfortable!

2. loud+proud organic tee monkey red & navy

I love loud+proud clothes. They cover everything I am looking for in boy’s clothes.

They are gorgeous, bright & funky prints, made to last as well as soft & comfortable

…moving to the bottoms

One of the greatest challenges for me as a mother of two wild boys was finding good pants, that can make it through the daily challenges of running free, while looking good & feeling comfortable.

My savior was the Danish label Alba of Denmark with there great & sturdy retro style kid’s clothes. And the best thing of all: My boys just love wearing them.

Pretty much every day!

3. AlbaKid Shorts

Another beautiful & stylish yet comfortable & durable piece by Alba of Denmark. Again, both of my boy’s love wearing these on a daily basis. What better feedback could you get! And even after countless wears and washes, these shorts still look great!

For more options in organic boys clothes, please visit our online store

Enjoy Spring Time with Elves in the Wardrobe!

Here at Elves in the Wardrobe we love all things organic. A lot of care and energy goes into providing our customers with a lovingly, hand-picked selection of organic baby and children clothes.

When shopping on our online organic clothing store, you may have noticed that there are different certification labels attached to different products. We use two different certification methods for our organic clothes, GOTS certified organic and Oeko-Tex certified.

So what differentiates these two certificates? What do they mean?

Let me explain:

GOTS Organic Certifications

The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) is the world’s leading textile processing standard for organic fibres. It is accepted in all major markets and ensures the organic status of textile products.

This certification covers every stage of production from the raw materials through the manufacturing, all of which must be environmentally and socially responsible.  This certification provides consumers with a credible assurance that the product they are buying is both organic and thoughtfully and sustainably produced.

In order to be certified, textiles must be made from at least 70% certified organic natural fibres. The final products may include, but are not limited to; fibre products, yarns, fabrics, clothes and home textiles. A textile product carrying the GOTS label grade ‘organic’ must contain a minimum of 95% certified organic fibres whereas a product with the label grade ‘made with organic’ must contain a minimum of 70% certified organic fibres.

At all stages of processing, organic fibre products must be separated from conventional fibre products and be free of a whole spectrum of chemicals and known toxic such as; chlorine bleach, heavy metals and azo dyes.

In addition, manufacturers must have a credible environmental policy in place that covers production factors such as; fair labour practices (including no child labour), water consumption, wastewater treatment and packaging that does not utilize PVC plastic.

In our shop most of our brands produce 100% GOTS- certified organic baby and kid’s clothes. These brands include - loud+proud, Leela Cotton, Duns Sweden, More than a Fling, Pat & Patty & Ubang.

The Oeko-Tex Standard

The Oeko-Tex® Standard 100 was first introduced at the beginning of the 1990s in response to rising demand for the production of textiles that posed no health risks.

“Poison in textiles” and other negative headlines were widespread at that time and indiscriminately branded all chemicals used in textile manufacturing as negative and dangerous to health.

The Oeko-Tex® Standard 100 was developed through the collaborative efforts of labs in Austria and Germany. It is a globally uniform testing certification system for raw textile materials, intermediate and end products at all stages of production.

Tests for harmful substances can include substances that are prohibited or regulated by law. These tests are carried out to find chemicals that are known to be harmful to health such as; carcinogenic dyestuffs, formaldehyde & heavy metals. They are also carried out for substances, which according to current knowledge are harmful to health but are not yet regulated or prohibited by law, such as; pesticides, allergy-inducing dyestuffs or tin-organic compounds. Precautionary parameters that safeguard health are also tested such as; colorfastness or skin-friendly pH value.

A tested textile product is awarded one of four Oeko-Tex® product classes based on its intended end use. The more intensively a product comes into contact with the skin and the more delicate the skin of the user, the stricter the human ecological requirements it must meet.

Briefly, Product Class 1 is the most stringent and certifies that the textile is safe for babies and children up to the age of three and includes underwear, and bedding. Alba of Denmark, our popular Danish brand produces all of their baby and children’s clothes to Oeko-Tex Class 1 certification.

Product Class 2 covers textiles that, when used as intended, have a large part of their surface in direct contact with the skin.

Product Class 3 covers textiles which, when used as intended, have little or no direct contact with the skin.

Product Class 4 includes home furnishings for decorative purposes such as carpets or curtains.

All of our clothes are covered by one of the two levels of certifications to ensure that Elves in the Wardrobe only provides the highest quality organic baby and kids clothes. Your little ones’ health and safety is always our number one priority.

If you need more information please get in touch, we are more than happy to help!

enquiries@elves-in-the-wardrobe.com.au