Finding Unique Children's Clothing In Northern California

By Clinton Arnhold


If you're like many people, you're tired of the run-of-the-mill children's clothing in Northern California. You've learned that buying cheap clothing is often disappointing. The clothes shrink after one washing, or their colors bleed and ruin all the other clothes around them. They're badly sewn, come apart at the seams, and make you vow to never buy mediocre, badly-constructed clothing for your kids ever again.

Luckily, the area also has several companies that offers apparel for the young ones that is worthy of serious consideration. They have a multiple admirable qualities like:

- Kids love the feel of fine quality, hand-loomed cotton in cute hand-block prints. Parents like that the products are ethically manufactured by skilled artisans using top rate natural dyes.

- This apparel can be passed down to younger ones when outgrown because they are stylish, casual, and made to be durable.

- The prints used on this clothing are original, and comes in both muted and vibrant colors

- These finely constructed clothes are handmade using heritage textiles, guaranteeing a natural hypoallergenic quality. The range of materials are created by the hands of artisans and include silk, wool, and wholesome cotton.

One such amazing heritage textile known as Kalamkari, has been in existence since the 13th century, originating in India. This is a complex process where a special pen, known as a kalam, is used in a fabric decorating craft that involves seventeen separate steps. Today, in Andhra Pradesh, a southeastern state, where weavers and artisans have shared their craft through many generations, this material is still manufactured.

The all natural dyes used in these clothes are created using plant stems, flowers, bark, leaves, minerals and choice metals. Each article of apparel is washed as many as 20 times after dying, before the fabric is deemed steadfast and ready for sale.

- Some of the children's clothing is designed with hand-block printing, which has a history of over 250 years of usage in India. First, a design is transferred to a specially prepared wooden block. Each distinct color requires a separate block, which give the appearance of a flat relief carving. Each block is then pressed steadily and firmly on the cloth in a slow and labor-intensive manner which yields unique and artistic results

- What could be nicer than t-shirts that are 100% fair trade and certified organic? Organic cotton uses no pesticides or synthetic fertilizer while it is grown, and GMO (genetically modified seeds) are ever used. All weeds are removed by hand during the growing process, and a fine balance between insects and their natural predators is maintained by using only healthy soil.

Fair trade, as defined by The World Trade Organization, is a partnership that has its basis in transparency, dialog, and respect, that aims to create more equality in international trading practices. The buyers agree to pay an acceptable price that provides the cotton producers and artisans a sustainable livelihood. Consumers who purchase these products get fine quality while doing their part to support social change.

Quality clothes for children are readily available.




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