Affordable Ethical Children’s Clothing

As a young family we felt trapped in a dilemma between choosing affordable children’s clothing from fast-fashion giants — companies that prioritise profits over people and the environment —and high-end sustainable brands that, while committed to ethical production, come with a hefty price tag. This left us compromising on our values when money got tight, but the kids kept growing!

At Dale Kids, we’ve set out to prove that ethical and sustainable clothing can be both high-quality and affordable.

1. Fair Wage Commitment: We collaborate exclusively with suppliers who are Fairtrade certified or members of the Fair Wear Foundation, ensuring that all workers receive a living wage.

2. Affordable Pricing: We offer our shirts at a consistent price of $15, deliberately avoiding the typical markups associated with ethical clothing.

Why This Matters

Worker Exploitation

Our major supplier is in India, where the textile industry employs approximately 45 million people. However, the minimum wage for garment workers in India is less than half of what's known as a living wage - the minimum workers need to meet their basic needs.

This isn't right. 

We hate the idea of buying clothes for our family made by people that aren't paid enough to support theirs.

By partnering with suppliers who are Fairtrade certified and/or Fair Wear members, we ensure that workers receive a living wage, promoting fair compensation and improved living standards.

Environmental Degradation

Conventional cotton farming is notorious for its heavy use of pesticides and water, leading to soil depletion, water scarcity, and ecosystem damage. In contrast, fair trade cotton promotes sustainable farming practices that protect the environment while ensuring farmers receive a fair price for their crops.

Making Ethical Fashion Affordable

A common misconception is that ethical and fair trade clothing must come with a hefty price tag. But research out of the University of NSW found as little as a 1% increase in the price of a garment—or 20c on a $20 item—is on average what it would take to pay a living wage to Indian garment workers.

This inspired us - and so we've set out to prove that quality ethical clothing can be affordable - and that the affordable fashion industry can uplift rather than exploit.