When you’re dressing a baby or young child for summer, there’s a lot to think about. Sun protection. Comfort in the heat. How something holds up to sand, water, and the kind of mess that only a small child can generate in under four minutes.
But one thing that often gets overlooked, that probably shouldn’t, is what the fabric itself is actually doing to your child’s skin.
We choose organic cotton for almost everything we stock and make, and there are quite a few simple reasons for this. In this blog we will explain why, no jargon or over complication, just simple explanations.
First, What’s the Difference?
Conventional cotton is one of the most chemically intensive crops in the world. It accounts for roughly 6% of global pesticide use despite covering only 2.5% of agricultural land. Those chemicals don’t disappear when the cotton becomes fabric; residues can remain in the finished garment and come into contact with skin.
However, organic cotton is grown without synthetic pesticides or fertilisers, using methods that are better for the soil, the water, and the people who grow it. When it’s certified, through GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) or similar, that certification covers the entire supply chain, from the field to the finished product. Not just the growing part.
The difference isn’t just environmental. It’s physical. Organic cotton tends to be softer, more breathable, and less likely to cause irritation, particularly in children with sensitive skin or eczema.
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Why It Matters More in Summer
In warmer months, children’s skin is working harder. More surface area is exposed. They’re sweating more. They’re spending time in and out of water. They’re spending hours in direct sunlight.
All of that means the skin is more penetrable and more reactive than usual. Fabrics that might be fine in autumn, a little scratchy, a little stiff, can become genuinely uncomfortable or even aggravating in the summer heat.
Organic cotton helps in a few specific ways:
It breathes better. The fibres haven’t been chemically processed to within an inch of their life, which means they retain more of their natural structure. That structure allows air to circulate, which keeps skin cooler and drier.
It’s softer against sensitive skin. Children with eczema, heat rash, or contact dermatitis are often advised to stick to natural, unprocessed fibres. Organic cotton is one of the safest choices.
It doesn’t hold heat the way synthetics do. This matters more than people realise. A child in a polyester vest on a warm day is a child who is going to be uncomfortable. Organic cotton regulates temperature far more effectively.
It washes well at lower temperatures. Which matters in summer, when you’re washing things constantly. Lower temperature washes are better for the environment and better for the fabric — organic cotton doesn’t degrade the way cheaper materials do after repeated washing.
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What to Look For
Not all ‘natural’ or ‘cotton’ clothing is organic, and not all organic clothing is equal. Here’s what we’d look for:
GOTS certification (Global Organic Textile Standard) is the gold standard. It covers the organic status of the fibre and the conditions under which it was processed and manufactured. If something says GOTS certified, you can trust it.
Oeko-Tex Standard 100 means the finished product has been tested and verified to be free from harmful substances, even if the cotton itself isn’t organic. It’s a different kind of certification, but still meaningful.
Fairtrade tells you about the conditions for the people who grew and made the fabric, rather than the chemical composition. We care about both, so we look for brands that hold multiple certifications where possible.
Brands like Frugi, Kite, and Little Green Radicals — all of which we stock — hold GOTS certification across their ranges. Our own Edith & Blanche Originals line uses GOTS-certified organic cotton throughout.
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A Word on Price
Organic cotton costs more to produce. Certified supply chains cost more to maintain. Brands that do this properly pass some of that cost on, and honestly, they should. The price reflects real choices made at every stage of production.
What you tend to find is that organic cotton garments last longer, wash better, and hold their shape more reliably than cheaper alternatives. The cost-per-wear often ends up being lower than a faster, cheaper option that bobbles after three washes and ends up in landfill.
We’re not pretending organic cotton is accessible to everyone at every price point. But for the pieces you reach for most, the everyday summer basics, the things that go through the wash four times a week, we think it’s worth it.
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What We’d Suggest for Summer
If you’re building a summer wardrobe for a baby or young child and want to lean into organic cotton, here’s where we’d start:
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A long-sleeved rashguard or sun top — organic cotton versions offer both comfort and a layer of UV protection
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Lightweight dungarees or a romper — versatile, cool, and easy to get on and off (an underrated quality when you’re dealing with a wriggling child)
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A soft, wide-brimmed sun hat — organic cotton hats are much more comfortable to wear all day than synthetic alternatives
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A simple set of everyday tees and shorts — the things that get worn every day deserve to be the best quality
You can browse everything in our Summer Picks collection, it’s been curated with exactly this kind of thinking in mind.
In Short
Organic cotton isn’t a gimmick or a premium add-on. In summer especially, when skin is more exposed and more reactive, it makes a practical difference to how comfortable your child is.
We choose it because we believe children deserve to be dressed in things that are good for them and good for the planet. And because we’ve seen — in our own kids and in the feedback we get from customers — that it actually works.
Any questions about specific products or certifications? Come and find us in the shop, or drop us a message at hello@edithandblanche.com. We love talking about this stuff.
