Style doesn’t have to be sacrificed when it comes to sustainable fashion for the little ones. Alissa Montbriand of Pacifier Kids Boutique notes brands, such as Quincy Mae, offer clothing made of organic materials—as seen in this darling denim dress. Photos: Julia Mary
A children’s boutique emphasizes the importance of hypoallergenic and organic products.
Pacifier Kids Boutique, which has locations in Woodbury and throughout the Metro, is seeing an increasing demand from shoppers seeking organic, sustainable and safer products for babies and children. The business’ proprietor, Alissa Montbriand, explains that infant apparel undergoes more rigorous testing than adult clothing because babies’ skin can absorb chemicals more easily. “We have seen an increasing trend in parents being extremely interested in organic fabrics and GOTS-certified fabrics,” Montbriand says.
Montbriand explains that certifications, such as OEKO-TEX and GOTS, which stands for Global Organic Textile Standard, indicate that fabrics have been independently tested for harmful substances and help shoppers feel more confident about the materials used in children’s clothing—without sacrificing functionality or style. “Basically, it means it’s been independently tested for harmful substances,” she says. “There are many different certifications that you can get.”
Eco-friendly, practical and stylish—these three words can be used to describe Boatilus. The children’s water shoes made by seventh-generation shoemakers are created out of recycled plastic and oyster shells.
Montbriand also highlights the importance of breathable and hypoallergenic fabrics, especially for babies with sensitive skin. “One [brand] in particular is Kyte,” she says. “It was developed because the founder’s child had extreme eczema.” The company created bamboo sleepwear designed to be gentle on sensitive skin. “The bamboo material itself is highly breathable, hypoallergenic and helps prevent rashes that babies can get quite easily,” she says.
Sustainable clothing can also provide long-term value for families, Montbriand adds. “Using higher quality fabrics means clothing can often be passed down to multiple children,” she says. “While it may cost more up front, families often get more use out of it.”
When selecting products for the boutique, Montbriand says many recommendations come from customers, parents and staff members. “When we evaluate products, we go to different [trade] shows,” Montbriand says. At the time of this writing, she says, “We just got back from the ABC Gear Show in Las Vegas where they introduced the newest car seat and stroller enhancements.” These products are also offered at Pacifier.
Gone are the days of worrying about what might end up in your little one’s mouth. Mushie’s food-safe silicone toys and its feeding products, which are offered at Pacifier Kids Boutique, are made without BPA, lead, phthalates and PVC. “They also capture all the different developmental stages,” Alissa Montbriand of Pacifier says.
The store prioritizes brands with environmentally conscious practices and safer materials. One example is Boatilus, a children’s water shoe brand made from recycled plastic and oyster shells. “They really have a story behind them,” Montbriand says of the seventh-generation shoemakers. “They’re taking materials that would otherwise end up as waste and turning them into a durable shoe for kids. Parents like getting something that will work well for their kiddo and their kiddo’s needs while also supporting a company that’s thinking creatively about reducing environmental impact at the same time.”
Montbriand says many baby gear companies are also moving toward flame-retardant-free fabrics in car seats and strollers. Instead of relying on added chemicals, some brands are using naturally produced fibers that still meet flammability safety standards. “If a little kid is sitting in the car seat for many hours, those chemicals can get on their skin as well,” she says.
Quincy Mae is just one of the many brands sold at Pacifier Kids Boutique focusing on organic materials and ethical sourcing. “Using higher quality fabrics means clothing can be passed down to multiple children. While it may cost more up front, families often get more use out of it,” Alissa Montbriand of Pacifier notes. Quincy Mae is one of Montbriand’s go-to brands.
As for her favorite brands currently sold in the store, Montbriand notes Nuna for car seats and strollers, Quincy Mae for organic apparel, and Mushie for silicone toys and feeding products. “They have a lot of silicone toys, but they also capture all the different developmental stages,” she says of Mushie, adding that the company’s feeding products are made without BPA, phthalates and PVC. Whenever possible, Pacifier also works with local and small businesses, such as Colored Organics, a local pajama company near Minneapolis’ North Loop neighborhood that uses organic fabrics.
The interest in environmentally conscious baby products and organic fabrics is expected to continue growing as more shoppers start to prioritize safer materials, sustainability and transparency; from clothing and sleepwear to toys and car seats, families are increasingly looking for products that support both their children’s well-being and the environment. “We know families care about the world their children are growing up in,” Montbriand says. “When we can bring in brands that prioritize safer materials, reduce waste and still make products that work really well for kids, that’s something we feel good about supporting.”
Pacifier Kids Boutique
Instagram: @pacifierkids
