5 Ways To Discuss Fast Fashion With Your Kids

Helping children understand the story behind their clothes

Earlier this week, I watched a short feature about fast fashion with my kids. It sparked a really interesting conversation and was a great reminder that children have a natural curiosity about the world around them – and that includes the clothes they wear!

So, how can you start these conversations in a way that’s easy for them to understand? In this article, we explore 5 ways you can talk to your children about fast (and slow) fashion – from exploring where and how clothes are made to getting creative with your upcycling.

1. Explore where and how clothes are made

Start by exploring how clothes are made - from growing the cotton or making synthetic fibres to the people who sew the garments. There are lots of great videos and resources to help with these conversations. 

• Watch: Where Do Clothes Come From - a short video about where and how clothes are made, tailored for young children, with suggested activities included

• Show: Take a look at the “Made In” label on one of your child’s favourite items and talk about where it was made, and from what materials

• Explore: 10 Cotton Facts for Little People with Inquisitive Minds - a Ducky Zebra resource that shares fun and surprising facts about cotton

2. Discuss the value of quality over quantity

Fast fashion often promotes the idea that more is better – but we know that sustainability comes from making thoughtful purchases. Talk with your child about how well-made, durable clothing lasts longer and is a better investment for both the environment and their wardrobe.

• Activity: Take a walk through their wardrobe together. Which clothes are their favourites and why? Is it because of the comfort, the memories attached, the durability, or the design and style?

• Discuss: You could also create a “favourite clothes” list and discuss how quality over quantity can lead to a more sustainable wardrobe

3. Make sustainable fashion fun and creative

Kids love to get creative! Encourage them to think about how they can reuse and upcycle old clothes rather than always buying new ones. The concept of slow fashion, where we buy less but invest in better, can be introduced in a fun and hands-on way.

• Watch: How to be fashionable without harming the planet - In this Newsround clip Kavita shares lots of fun, creative ideas for making the most out of your clothes

• Activity: Have a go at upcycling, by turning an old T-shirt into a tote bag. This video shows you how, with no sewing or sticking required!

4. Explore the true cost of clothes: people, planet and ethics

The true cost of clothes isn’t just about the price tag. It’s about the people who make them and the environmental impact they leave behind. Discuss how fast fashion often involves unfair wages and unsafe working conditions, while slow fashion brands prioritise fair trade, ethical practices and sustainable materials.

• Watch: BBC Newsound Shein: Find out how low-cost clothing is made 

• Watch: BBC Newsound Inside a UK Clothes Factory  - featuring a group of teenagers trying a day's work in a UK clothes factory. They explore what our clothes are made from, where they come from, and the effort that goes into making them.

• Discuss: Ask your children how they would feel if their clothes were made by someone who wasn’t paid fairly. This could open up a conversation about fairness, ethics and why we should be mindful of how our clothes are made.

5. Highlight the power of sharing, repairing and recycling clothes

Sustainable fashion isn’t just about buying less – it’s about making sure your clothes get the most use possible. Swapping clothes with friends, passing down items to younger siblings, repairing things that get damaged and recycling worn-out clothes are all ways to contribute to a more sustainable future.

• Resource: Use tutorials on YouTube or Instagram to learn simple repairs, like sewing on a button or patching a hole. 

• Fun fact: Did you know that mending clothes is part of a growing sustainable trend called visible mending? Your kids might enjoy transforming a small tear into a unique design by adding a patch or embroidery!

Talking about sustainable kids' clothes can be just as fun, as it is important. Even small changes today can lead to big things over time. It’s all about starting good habits and feeling comfortable questioning and challenging the 'norm' around us. We’d love to hear how you’ve been talking to your children about these topics. Share your tips and ideas with us!

About the author:

Sally Dear is a mum of two and founder of award-winning Ducky Zebra - a sustainable childrenswear brand, based in the UK. Sally focuses on creating timeless, child-led designs for babies and children up to 6 years old. All of her designs are made from GOTS organic cotton and are free from stereotypes (because she believes in more than just pink for girls and blue for boys).