Finally, someone has figured out how to make kids clothing that grows with your child. And, yes. It’s cute, too! 

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A new line of sustainable kids clothing is now gathering funding on Kickstarter. Find out how Nula Kids can simplify your life and your little girl’s closet.

There are lots of sustainable clothing brands out there, and plenty that offer organic, toxin-free options for the wee ones. The only problem is that while these high-priced alternatives may be better for us and the planet, they’re outgrown almost before we can say “aww!”

Friends Ashlie Kodsy and Erica Murphy firmly believe that living low-impact lifestyle means choosing fewer, longer-lasting items, so they decided to start a children’s clothing line for families who feel the same.

Nula Kids is a line of playful children’s garments (little girls only, for now) that are designed to grow with your kids for at least three years. Kodsy and Murphy spent more than a year researching different textiles for the line, finally settling on an organic cotton/hemp blend that is extremely long-lasting, sustainable fabric. The designs–simple tops, bottoms, and dresses–are a result of the designers’ love for vintage-inspired textile prints and playful, innocent children’s clothes.

While there’s no doubt that the outfits are adorable, I questioned how Nula Kids could really last three years on an active child. After all, clothes have come with adjustable straps and elastic waist bands for decades, but that doesn’t mean they can keep up with a growing child.

“Most designers include elastic in kids clothes for ease and comfort, but they are not designing styles that will fit for a long time,” explained Murphy. “We’ve worked to perfect the details of how each style fits (each one has gone through many prototypes) and added design elements to make sure they actually look good for three years. Our clothes do not look like they are two sizes too big the first year.”

Closer inspection reveals clever design elements that will allow your child to wear the same garment for three years without looking like they’re swimming in a hand-me-down, or squeezing into something that’s too small.

The waistband of the Lucy Shorts is made with button-hole elastic, which is more adjustable than a regular elastic waistband. In addition, the “paper-bag” style looks good, and intentional, even in the first year, when it’s going to be gathered at the waist.

The Addie Dress has add-on pieces that attach with hidden snaps to make the dress longer.

The Isabeau Jumpsuit has a one-inch wide elastic band at the bottom of the pants and clean finished seams on the inside. So, the pants are easy to cuff and look perfectly normal even when rolled several times. The pants hit at the ankle, so they will not drag the ground or wear thin at the fold lines.

Yes, Nula Kids still costs more than the average garment you could snap up in a Target clearance sale, but you’ve got to think, will that top or pair of pants really last your child three years? Probably not.

Want to see Nula Kids produce their first collection right here in the USA? Consider making a contribution to their Kickstarter project here.

Images: Nula Kids

The post Organic, Vintage-Inspired Kids Clothing That Fits For 3 Years appeared first on EcoSalon.

Kids grow up so quickly, and a great green way to keep up with their constantly changing clothing size is to wield your craftiness and upcycle what you already have on hand to fashion darling garments for them. From cheery dresses made from pillowcases, vintage tablecloths, and daddy’s old button-down shirts, to a cardigan made from a flour sack, here are seven ingenious examples of designers upcycling what you’d least expect to create showstopping wardrobe staples for little ones.

Vintage Tablecloth Sets a New Standard as a Gorgeous Dress for Girls

The dress seen at the top of this post was fashioned from a vintage 1950’s tablecloth! The next time your tablecloth gets an indelible stain, consider repurposing it into a sweet summer dress for your daughter.

Vintage Ties Upcycled into One-of-a-Kind Onesies

Your little guy can mix business with pleasure by wearing one of these tiesies to his next formal event, or just to be hip on a daily jaunt! This organic cotton bodysuit features a vintage tie applique that is sure to cause heads to turn, and lots of cooing from admirers.

A Pillowcase Becomes a Bright & Cheery Dress

Your daughter really could make anything look adorable, as evidenced by this pillowcase dress. Who knew bedsheets could look so amazing outside the boudoir? Once you update or redecorate your bedroom, don’t throw old sheets to the wind. Make them into clothing instead!

Upcycled Knits Turn Patchwork Girl’s Dress

Do you have a ton of t-shirts tucked away? Piece them together into a patchwork dress of various colorful knits, as seen here in this upcycled ‘Pocka Pookah Posies’ Soren Dress. This is also a great way to preserve the memories often tied to T-shirt purchases, on a snipped scale.

Upcycling Mens’ Button Down Shirts into Girls’ Summer Dresses

Father’s Day is around the corner, and the dresses above were created from daddy’s button-down dress shirts. If the dad in your house has retired some of his duds, what cuter way to celebrate his day of honor than by dressing his little girl in one of his shirts, by turning it into a dress?

Woman’s Skirt Twirls into a Knot Dress for Girls

Speaking of cast-off clothing. We all have funky patterned skirts hanging around that we’re never going to wear again! Turn yesteryear’s fashion blunder into today’s fabulous dress for your daughter. Can you believe this knot dress was upcycled from a woman’s skirt?

A Summer Cardigan Cooked Up from Reclaimed Flour and Seed Sacks

One of the most impressive upcycling feats yet, these handcrafted, one-of-a-kind enchanting summer cardigans were made from reclaimed flour and feed sacks!

Inspiration is in the materials all around us. Before purchasing clothing for your kids, consider upcycling the fabrics in your home to create clothing as unique and original as your child.

Images: Blue Eyed Betty, Chirp and Bloom, The Measure

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