Parade Organics Brand Review
We all want the best for our babies, and that includes a better planet.
Yet, at the same time, it can sometimes feel as though raising a baby means saying good-bye to any attempts at lowering your carbon footprint. After all, between clothes and toys that are outgrown within weeks to the sheer number of disposable items like diapers and wet wipes that get used and thrown out, sustainable parenting can feel impossible.
Parade Organics is a sustainable, fair-trade, Canadian-owned company that challenges this notion.
With a very diverse range of products for newborns, infants and toddlers, many products we already buy for our little ones can be replaced with Parade Organics’ sustainable, fair-trade alternatives. But in a market where sustainable fashion companies are popping up all the time, is Parade Organics the real deal?
In this honest review, we will break down exactly how we felt about the company, from pricing to product quality:
About Parade Organics
This Vancouver-based company has been in operation since 2004, which certainly gives them an air of credibility that not every organic clothing company can match. Given the fact that consumers are more concerned about the environment than ever before, many start-ups are looking to take advantage of eco-friendly branding without following through when it comes to their inventory.
Parade Organics, of course, have been committed to sustainability before it was a buzzworthy trend. Here are just a few ways that the company has ensured their products are both fair-trade and environmentally-friendly:
● Their clothing and blankets are made from 100% GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) cotton, which means that it was farmed without harsh pesticides and chemicals
● Their collection is produced in an Indian facility with fair pay and safe, equitable labour standards
● Company representatives personally check-in on facilities twice a year
Diverse Inventory
The first thing that we noticed when shopping Parade Organics’ well-designed website is that it has no shortage of inventory. Whether you prefer two-piece outfits or onesies, want tasteful pastels or fun bursts of colour, or want to shop for newborns or kindergartners, Parade has something available for you.
As organic fashion companies can unfortunately sometimes have smaller collections, we were definitely happy to see a store that offered us a ton of variety.
Curated Clothing Sets
If shopping is less of a hobby for you and more of a necessary evil, you might not want to invest hours of your life scrolling through webpages or skimming racks of baby onesies. Parade makes things easy for you by offering curated clothing sets.
Save time and energy by buying two-piece outfits or kimono bundles that pair well aesthetically, while also saving money when compared to the items separate prices.
Proudly Canadian
Parade Organics’ Canadian roots are not just a line on their About Us page on their website. Instead, the store proudly embraces its heritage with a number of Canadian-themed products.
For example, you can make sure your baby’s outfit reflects your family’s patriotism with fun tee shirts featuring moose, geese, grizzlies and other Canadian mascots. Parade’s book collection also offers parents the option to teach toddlers the alphabet while also educating them about Canada’s unique wildlife.
Of course, you do not have to be Canadian to understand the appeal of a small business thriving in the world of ethical fashion, but the sense of homegrown pride is certainly a nice touch.
Toys To Tinker With
Parade Organics are not just for clothing! They also sell wooden toys, along with stuffed animals, teethers and books. Fussy babies who struggle with bath time might find some comfort from one of Parade’s unique rubber bath toys that come in the shape of whales, turtles and ducks.
Overall, we loved the fact that Parade is essentially a one-stop-shop for all our holiday shopping needs when it comes to our loved ones with babies. Looking for a fun learning toy that also adds a splash of colour to a nursery? Try this rainbow stacking tower.
Reasonable Pricing
We will be completely honest with you-- we love fair-trade and sustainable products, but we also know that ethical business practices can sometimes translate to unaffordable prices for many families.
That was why we were quite pleased to see that Parade Organics has maintained reasonable, affordable prices on their collections. Rompers and blankets, for example, average at about $32 CAD, while many toys fall within the $20-$50 CAD range.
For super budget-oriented shoppers, Parade Organics also offers a sale section, with discounted products such as $12 tee shirts.
Overall, you are likely to spend comparable amounts of money at a local department store, so why not opt for a more ethical choice?
Comfy Cotton
Parade’s 100% organic cotton is a cozy, comfy treat for babies. With absolutely no synthetic materials, you can rest assured knowing your baby is being dressed and swaddled in soft cotton without any harmful pesticides. We were particularly fond of these ultra-adorable harem pants, which we got in beautiful solid colours for our boys.
Store Hours and Shipping
Vancouverites are lucky: both of Parade Organics’ brick and mortar locations are in the city, one in the historic Gastown district and the other in a Granville island loft. Both locations offer both in-store shopping and curbside pick-up. If you aren’t in Vancouver, no need to fret.
Shipping is available both across Canada and internationally, although Canadian shoppers get a special treat-- free standard shipping on orders over $29 CAD, and just $5 shipping on all orders under this threshold.
Our Thoughts
Needless to say, we were very impressed by Parade Organics. Wherever we have found issues with sustainable and fair trade clothing in the past (limited inventories, high prices, etc.), Parade has found a solution that keeps the needs of consumers, garment workers and the environment all taken care of.
Overall, Parade Organics is a proudly Canadian, fair trade, sustainable company with over a decade of experience producing organic and cruelty-free products. When we gave them a try, we were certainly satisfied with what we found, and we hope that you will be too.