Image credit: Hanna Andersson
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One day when he was ten years old, my son showed me a large, itchy, red rash on his chest. He had been wearing a new Cardinals athletic jersey he had received as a gift. It was something he was super excited to wear, but at the time, I had no idea that the fabric had been dyed with chemicals commonly known (by dermatologists, anyway) to be skin sensitizers.
Today, we avoid mass-produced clothes that come in shades of red or blue, two of his favorite colors, due to the acute reactions he experiences. But the larger problem is athletic clothing in general.
EcoCult founder Alden’s recently released expose, To Dye For: How Fashion Is Making Us Sick—And How We Can Fight Back, showed me exactly why this is happening. It details the journey of mother and researcher, Heather Stapleton, as she searches for the truth behind her son’s rash from a synthetic sports shirt. Luckily, she had access in the lab to a mass-spectrometry testing method called non targeted analysis, to determine what may have caused her son’s reaction.
The halogenated disperse dyes found in his (and my own son’s) new shirt are commonly used to color textiles made entirely from synthetic fibers, including polyester and nylon, two materials used in the manufacturing of athletic clothing.
It’s terrifying to know that exposure to fashion that’s made specifically for kids can cause my son to break out in big patches of hives, and even worse knowing that there are so many kids out there wearing the very same chemical-laden fabrics on a daily basis.
There’s more to it than dyes alone. Some athletic clothing is designed to be sweat-wicking and stain-resistant, which are achieved through the use of PFAS—a class of chemicals that have been found time and time again to contribute to premature development, hormone imbalances, and even chronic conditions later in life from fertility issues to cancers.
But it doesn’t end there. Athletic clothing has also been found to contain BPA and phthalates, both of which have been found to cause disruptions to the endocrine system, a vital part of the proper growth and development of children.
Without the inclusion of a mandatory ingredients list, or proper regulation on the chemicals used in textile manufacturing, it’s hard to say whether or not the clothes you buy for your children are truly safe to wear. With that in mind, there are certifications to look for, including Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), bluesign, and Oeko-Tex, that can help you identify brands that exclude the use of dangerous chemicals.
But if your child has sensitive skin or chronic health conditions, you should try to avoid synthetic clothing altogether, even if it has one of these labels attached to it.
We were curious about just how many kids’ clothing brands are out there making truly non-toxic sports clothing for our youth. While the list we came up with is small, we hope that the reality of the situation will strike the hearts of industry professionals, and they will expand the choices for families like mine.
What we love: Crann Organic was founded by a mother on a mission to create clothing for kids with sensitive skin. It uses GOTS-certified organic cotton to create non-toxic, hypoallergenic styles in a variety of fun, sensory-friendly colors and patterns. You can find all the basics, including tees, sweats, hoodies, and underwear.
Our review: The comfiest, softest, and most colorfast of included brands, Crann Organic was easily my son’s favorite. He’s in love with the tee, which he can wear in his favorite color blue, and the hoodie and sweatpants, which he says are both warm and breathable. It’s safe to say he’s obsessed with Crann Organic’s sweats, and requested another pair for the upcoming chilly season.
Available in: United States and Canada
Size range: 2 to 12
What we love: New Zealand-based brand Sonnie was developed by two moms looking to provide quality and style for their children right at home. The idea was to offer long-lasting, high-quality organic clothes for kids, which blossomed into a wide range of track suits, tees, shorts, hoodies and the basics made from GOTS-certified organic cotton in a variety of fun hues.
Our review: Although the emerald green crewneck was delivered ever so slightly damp, it braved the wash and came out feeling super soft and cozy. My son loved how it fit, and how it can be layered with a number of other pieces for extra comfort. He noticed that the green organic cotton did shed a few fibers, but not so much as to be noticeable on his undershirts.
Available in: Worldwide
Size range: 1 to 11
What we love: Another brand focused on skin-friendly clothing, Hanna Andersson features an extensive collection of kids’ clothing for ages two to fourteen years old. All of the brand’s offerings are Okeo-Tex-certified and tested for hundreds of harmful chemicals. The children’s athletic line is PFAS and BPA-free and affordable.
Our review: The cutest Pikachu tee arrived for my son, who was tickled pink to find character tees in fibers that wouldn’t irritate his skin. He wanted to try it on immediately after it arrived, but it had a certain smell that was reminiscent of some type of cleaner, so it went to the wash straight away. After it washed, he tried it on and wore it for an entire day of walking around in the Arizona heat without any reaction—which we consider a win.
Watch out for: Pieces from the children’s athletic line may contain a blend of cotton, polyester, and spandex UV melange jersey, but are still Oeko-Tex-certified.
Available in: Worldwide
Size range: 2 to 12
What we love: You may not have expected to see Patagonia in this list, but the brand has put tremendous effort toward chemical management and transparency. Its children’s selection is filled with pieces that are made from bluesign-certified blends and regenerative organic certified cotton. You can find everything your child needs for athletic wear, including a few options that are undyed cotton—in case you need to avoid dyes altogether.
Our review: I’ve never seen my son so excited for undyed fabric. He tested the undyed Patagonia tee, which he nearly refused to take off when laundry time came around, and reported that it was quite possibly his new favorite tee ever. He tried it on with every outfit he owns, pairing it with jeans (which he usually hates), sweatpants, and his favorite pair of shorts, all in a week’s time.
Watch out for: Many of the options in the kids’ selection are made from a blend of synthetic fibers, including polyester and elastane, but are bluesign-certified.
Available in: Worldwide (additional shipping fees for international shipping outside the US)
Size range: XS to XXL
What we love: A gold mine for Tencel lyocell, TenTree is at the forefront of natural fibers in athletic clothing made for kids. The brand uses fibers including hemp, organic cotton, and recycled polyester to create comfy, well-fitting pieces for the little ones. TenTree is transparent about its fibers, materials, and manufacturing processes, and includes material details on each product listing to help you find the types of fabric your child needs.
Watch out for: TenTree does use some recycled polyester, which can be irritating to children with particular sensitivities. TenTree also doesn’t offer teen or preteen sizes, which is why I don’t have a review for it.
Available in: United States, Canada, Europe, United Kingdom
Size range: 12 months to 5T
