The Kids’ Clothes Conundrum

Have you ever bought an irresistibly on-trend outfit for a child in your life? If so, I’m willing to bet it was worn just a handful of times (or perhaps not at all).

Gendered children’s fashion is a twentieth century invention and — surprise!— it was invented by marketing pros hoping to sell more clothes. The sad truths are that while kids’ fast fashion creates unnecessary clutter for parents, the sheer quantity of it all contributes to our oversized environmental problems.

Today I speak with clothing designer Laurel Thompson about how to avoid purchasing adorable future trash for the children in our lives.

Here’s a preview:

[3:30] The history of children’s clothing: How the post-industrial revolution impacted wardrobe longevity

[8:00] Exactly how the design of kids clothes has devolved to the detriment of mothers everywhere

[17:00] From fabrication to construction: 10 things to look for when shopping for children’s outfits

[22:00] How to talk to the grandparents in your life about responsibly acquiring kids’ clothes

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