Why I’m Ditching Polyester For My Kids, And 11 Brands I’m Shopping Instead
Here are 11 kids’ clothing brands that prove you don’t have to settle for polyester to score pieces that are cute, durable, and affordable.
As someone who lives in a small town, far from the convenience of superstores, a bi-weekly online Target order for household essentials used to be a part of my regular routine. As part of these twice-a-month digital shopping trips, it became quite common for me to throw in a clothing item or two for each of my kids. I’ll be the first to admit that I’m a bit of a shopaholic when it comes to clothing and I couldn’t get over the next-to-nothing prices I was scoring for the most adorable kids’ pieces. But, I didn’t realize that I was essentially paying for plastic clothing—yes, I’m talking about polyester—and, consequentially, my children’s future health.
Why Everyone Suddenly Hates Polyester
Polyester has become a hot topic as of late. And as silly as it may sound on first impression (is wearing any one specific kind of fabric really that bad?), the truth is there are many reasons to steer clear.
Frequent exposure has been linked with decreased fertility. It can cause allergic reactions. And, while it has not yet been proven that polyester exposure increases likelihood of developing cancer, the fact that the topic is on the table speaks volumes in and of itself (at least it does for me).
Aside from the havoc it wreaks on the human body, polyester is also terrible for the environment. Because it’s cheap to produce, it’s contributed to the rise of fast fashion. And all of these cheap, uninspired fashion pieces are finding their way into the landfill where, because they’re not biodegradable, they’re taking up space in a big way.
Scary, big-picture concerns aside, I think we can all agree that wearing polyester isn’t exactly comfortable. Because it’s made from plastic, the material doesn’t breathe nearly as well as natural textiles (such as cotton or linen). This means it’s really great at trapping heat and creating a breeding ground for odor-producing bacteria—yum!
While I can’t afford to completely overhaul my kids’ wardrobes in one fell swoop (I currently have two and am expecting a third), I’ve recently made a vow to avoid polyester going forward. While of course those cute, $4 toddler tops still tempt me from their product pages on the Target website, I’ve become resolute in changing my shopping habits.
I’m adopting a “less is more” mentality and choosing quality over quantity. I’m also being more selective in where I’m doing my shopping. While natural fiber offerings can be found at most major retailers (my wallet is relieved I don’t have to give up shopping at Old Navy for my kids entirely), some brands certainly place a higher priority on quality materials and, as a result, lend more success to your anti-polyester shopping trips.
11 Brands to Shop for Natural Material Kids’ Clothing
Here are some of the brands I’ve tried personally and will continue to shop in the future.
Coop Kids
Launched in February 2025 by parent company Pink Chicken, Coop Kids is a kids’ clothing brand that prides itself on its nostalgic designs and use of organic cotton. From baby to kids, boys and girls, the designs offered up by this brand are the kind of pieces your kids will actually wear on the regular (and enjoy wearing). I added a handful of Coop Kids pieces to each of my kids’ wardrobes this spring and they ended up being some of their most-worn this summer—the clothes are truly so soft and thoughtfully designed. With sizing extending up to age 12, I know it’s one I’ll be coming back to for many years to come.
Playground Long Sleeve Dress Cheerleading, $52
Baby Picnic Romper Red Gingham, $48
Tea Collection
If you’re in need of everyday wear for either boys or girls, Tea Collection is a truly excellent one-stop option for ages 0 to 16. Because their pieces are really fun, my kids legitimately love wearing them and, I can personally testify, the constant washing and drying doesn’t prevent them from holding up over the years. I often find myself subconsciously reaching for this brand when I’m picking my kids’ outfits out—the comfy-but-cute factor is hard to resist.
Tiered Skirted Twirl Dress, $49
Gymboree
Since my kids moved into toddler sizing, Gymboree has been a favorite of mine. Their seasonal collections in particular are especially darling. While the brand definitely still makes use of polyester in a number of its items, I believe the product description skimming to be worth the effort. I’ve found the quality to be excellent for the price point and have passed pieces down from child to child with hardly any noticeable wear.
Boys Plaid Button Up Shirt, $32
Girls Striped Linen-Blend Tiered Dress, $33
Girls Eyelet Linen-Blend 2-Piece Outfit Set, $40
Rylee + Cru
While not every piece on the Rylee + Cru website has an anti-polyester stamp of approval, the quality and design of this brand’s pieces as a whole make it worth sifting through. One of my favorite aspects of shopping this brand is their ability to design collections across ages and genders that coordinate seamlessly—from infant, to teen, to pieces for mom. Their use of pattern and color are playful, capturing the essence of childhood while also being very chic.
Quilted Jacket Blush Fleur, $88
Relaxed Jogger Burgundy Stripe, $55
Petit Sézane
I’m not sure kids’ clothing gets any more stylish than Petit Sézane. If you yourself are a fan of Sézane, then you don’t need me to tell you how luxurious the brand’s pieces are—every one I own feels and wears like a work of art. While these kids’ clothing pieces definitely fall within the “investment” category, you can shop with confidence knowing that quality is a priority and, as a certified B corp, so is ethical production. Consider choosing items that can be reworn by subsequent children (regardless of gender) or staples that will lend themselves to frequent wear—such as outerwear, shoes, or basic tops and bottoms.
Azélie Dress Floral Faïence, $95
Amour Choco Crème Sweat-Shirt Navy Ecru, $75
Octave Boots Smooth Olive Green, $150
Ivy City
Ivy City is a celebration of girlhood. As such, it’s really really fun to peruse their website if you have a daughter (hello, mom and mini matching). While not every item on the site is 100% natural fiber composition, there are many truly adorable 100% cotton dresses and rompers available. The viral mini rosemary cowgirl boots are also 100% leather.
Mini Roselyn Dress in Desert Blossom, $68
Baby Roselyn Romper in Desert Blossom, $38
Mini Dallas Jumpsuit in Denim, $68
Mini Rosemary Cowgirl Boots, $118
Little Planet
If you love Carter’s but don’t love how difficult it is to navigate the synthetic materials among their product offerings, then Little Planet is the step-up you’re looking for. I have yet to purchase a Little Planet piece I didn’t love. I’m personally a big fan of seasonal dressing and have loved outfitting my kids in their fall and holiday pieces over the years. Sizes range from newborn to eight years, making it easy to craft bundled orders for multiple kids and save on shipping.
Baby Girl Organic Cotton Gauze Bubble in Botanic Muse Print, $18
Kid Organic Cotton Western Jacket, $40
Kid Recycled Microfleece Pullover, $20
Baby Girl Organic Cotton Floral Print Long-Sleeve Top, $20
Quince
Quince has become one of the internet’s worst-kept secrets. The brand hangs its hat on its ability to offer premium items at a fraction of the price offered by well-known retailers. While recently browsing the site for myself, I was excited and impressed to see that many of the kids’ clothing options were composed of natural materials. Because the pieces are reasonably priced, this is definitely a brand I’m planning to return to more often.
Organic Cotton Long Sleeve Skater Dress, $23
100% Organic Cotton Poplin Long Sleeve Button Down, $25
Boys 100% Cotton Denim Jacket, $30
Little Co. by Lauren Conrad
Available for purchase at Kohl’s, Little Co. by Lauren Conrad is a top-find when it comes to quality at an affordable (ie: parenting budget-friendly) price. The pieces are soft, stylish, and mix and match across genders and age groups seamlessly. The sibling matching options are particularly adorable. This brand also covers all the bases, with sizing available from baby through “big kid.”
Kids 4-12 Little Co. by Lauren Conrad Quilted Shacket, $32
Kids 4-12 Little Co. by Lauren Conrad 3-Pack Organic Cotton Core Tees, $29
Baby & Toddler Girl Little Co. by Lauren Conrad Smocked Babydoll Top, $16
Baby & Toddler Little Co. by Lauren Conrad Sweater, $26
GAP
If you prefer to stick with what you know, it doesn’t get more classic than GAP. While you do have to check individual product listings, the iconic retailer offers a wide variety of natural textile clothing pieces across age groups—some even being organic! I know my two and four-year old personally love the Disney character collaboration pieces.
Baby & Toddler Mix & Match Pull-On Joggers, $10
Gap × Disney Baby & Toddler Graphic T-Shirt, $9
Kids Relaxed Everyday Joggers, $24
Baby First Favorites Organic Cotton Footed One-Piece, $23
Ariat
Whether you’re an active, outdoorsy family, love Americana-inspired outfitting as much as I do, or your kids just really love cowboy boots, then it’s worth giving the Ariat website a perusal. While they may not be the most budget-friendly back-to-school shoe option, these boots are stylish, leather-crafted, and durable enough to last through whatever your children put them through. Heirloom quality and built for an active, fresh-air filled childhood. (And yes, if you have a little Swifty at home, she’d probably be thrilled to receive a pair of these boots).
Tombstone Wide Square Toe Western Boot, $100
Casanova D Toe Western Boot, $120
There is no such thing as a perfect parent. Or, for that matter, a perfect way to parent. Even with the best of intentions, I’m sure some polyester will inevitably find its way into my kids’ dresser drawers from time to time. I’m making an intentional decision to choose progress over perfection. And having a handful of retailers I know I can turn to is going to make that pursuit a lot more obtainable.