Fast fashion is cheap for a reason. Originally conceived as a way of keeping costs down for budget buyers, the world of fast fashion has boomed, and as its popularity increases, more corners are cut in order to save a pretty penny. A mix of poor-quality fabrics, rushed designs, cheap and unethical production methods and the environmental cost make fast fashion for your kids less appealing. Fast fashion is not always a savvy investment.
While adults increasingly turn away from fast fashion, there seems to be a reluctance to have an honest conversation about high-quality designer clothes for children. Of course, when it comes to dressing our children, there are other things to consider. People will often bemoan how quickly their growing kids outgrow their clothes or proclaim that children are far too boisterous to have anything too nice. And so we decide that throwaway fashion — although not great for us — is fine for our children. But is fast fashion really the best choice for our kids?
In this post, we break down why you should invest in designer clothes for your children.
For the environmental cost
In recent years, our attitudes to “fast fashion” and casual consumerism have changed drastically. We’re now less interested in cramming our wardrobes full of cheap garments and stocking up on plastic bottles, and more invested in considering the environmental impact of our shopping habits. We’ve become aware that the things we buy for our wardrobes, cupboards and fridges have eco-ethical dimensions. And while the cheap price points of fast fashion may initially be appealing, resounding questions of where the clothes come from and the labour conditions of those who make them, as well as the carbon footprint of the clothes that we purchase, quickly show that the pennies saved are not always worth the cost to the environment. In fact, fashion is now widely accepted as the second-largest polluter in the world, just behind oil.
Luxury designer children’s clothes last longer and are made ethically. Unlike budget fashion that is made is bulk and designed to wear out quickly, luxury children’s clothes stand up to the test of time and are made in a much lower quantity. It’s simple maths, really — the more you pay for your children’s clothes, the fewer clothes you end up buying and the lesser your impact on overflowing landfills. Luxury clothes can be handed down between siblings and friends or resold on thrifty websites. The extra pennies make up for the peace of mind that you’re making a savvy environmental investment.
For longevity
One of the most pervasive myths surrounding children’s clothes goes something like, “children outgrow their clothes, so there’s no point in spending too much money on them.” And there’s certainly some truth in that. Children are constantly growing, and far more than adults, a child’s size will change drastically over periods of time. Children also tend to be far more active than adults — running, jumping and rollicking around — whether they’re decked out in designer clothes or not. But is that really the full picture, or is this mentality a false economy?
Most parent’s lives are punctuated by the whirr of the washing machine. Whether you’re dealing with food stains from overenthusiastic meal times, grass stains from a rowdy game of rounders or some indistinct stain that you’d rather not know what it was, children’s clothes are in constant need of a good wash. But washing takes its toll on cheap clothes. After a few spins in the washer, budget fashion quickly falls apart. Luxury fashion, on the other hand, tends to be higher quality and can stand up to multiple washes. Luxury well-made clothes last longer and continue to look just as good, no matter how mucky your little one.
For when you need something extra special
Whether your child is a little tomboy, a boisterous adventurer or a fancy dress fan, there are times when you need something a little fancy. A wedding; an important family party; your little one’s birthday — a child’s social calendar is full of occasions that require something special.
Investing in well-made, beautiful luxury children’s clothes means that you’ll never be caught out — whatever event may arise. Whether you go for a beautiful designer dress or a charming three-piece suit, investing in these special-occasion essentials saves you a mad dash to the shops.
Designer clothes may seem the reserve of celebrity kids and trust-fund babies, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Designer clothes are a savvy investment for parents looking to save money, time, and the environment!
Author Bio: David Graff is the founder of David Charles Childrenswear, an iconic British designer childrenswear company.
