Buy second hand or be prepared to spend a little more.

Investing in fewer items that are higher quality and more durable is environmentally responsible. You are not only helping the environment by keeping clothing out of landfills, but you are saving money in the long run by not having to re-invest in clothing as often. When your kids have outgrown their Beans, you pass them along to another family member, or re-sell them on our Vintage Beans page.

In light of the tragic events that took place in Bangledesh, I have been asked by many customers to share information about where Peekaboo Beans is made, and what conditions are like in our factory. I am also asked frequently ‘why are these clothes so expensive.’  There is a lot that goes behind a price tag, and when the entire process of manufacturing is handled responsibly, we can expect to pay more for a quality product.

Peekaboo Beans is manufactured in Dongguan, Southern China, which is a very developed district with many garment factories and the support of companies, like fabric and thread suppliers, dying mills and printers nearby. The buildings are built to be factories!

In Dongguan there is competition between factories to have and keep experienced workers.   Workers have the option of finding alternative jobs elsewhere if they are not treated fairly.  That alone is encouragement for factories to treat their people right, but on top of that, the regulations in Dongguan for working conditions, minimum wages, and over-time, are strictly controlled and monitored by the government.  In fact a factory owner can go to jail if he requires too much over-time of his employees.

The pressure of overseas clients changed the industry in China to introduce safety standards and improve working conditions, which results in increased manufacturing costs substantially. Unfortunately what happens in many cases is buyers move to other “cheaper” and less developed countries to get their clothing manufactured.  In addition to the low labor costs in Bangladesh and other developing countries, generally these imports are duty exempt.  With the increasing demand of cheap  product in the western world, the savings on import duties and low labor costs is not enough, therefore additional cost saving measures are required, combined with corruption, mainly the workers pay the price.

Peekaboo Beans founder Traci Costa, production manager Michaela and lead designer Calli visit the factories in China at least twice per year. They have developed a wonderful relationship with the factory ground floor team, communicating daily with them regularily.

Why not manufacture in Canada?

Many customers have asked me why Peekaboo Beans is no longer  produced in Canada.  Peekaboo Beans was produced in Vancouver from 2006-2009 and moved production offshore in 2010.  The residing fact is Canada is not a manufacturing country.  The conditions in Canada are often poorer than what you would see in other countries.  We do not have skilled labour force to manage big productions and we do not have the support companies to work with (ie: screen printers, fabric mills etc).

In fact all the fabric, trims, notions – absolutely everything needed to make our garments was imported from China and the 5-10 sewers in the factory were landed immigrants from China. At the end of the day, if you take into consideration the import duties applied by the government on goods made in China, we are paying upwards of what local production would cost, however we are limiting the environmental impacts of the multiple shipments required to get raw goods here and we are creating efficiencies in the production process.  Simply put, we are producing with people who know what they are doing and are good at it.  We do still have factory partners in Vancouver for small production runs that are manageable.

Driven by abundance and generosity

Peekaboo Beans is fueling the economy in abundance, whether with the people working at the Playground, the courier services, lawyers, graphic designers, office supply companies,  logistic companies, consultants, printers and our own Stylist entrepreneurial businesses, among others. Everyone who touches Peekaboo Beans at any point it its development is treated with fairness, equality, respect and generosity. Myself included.

I have aligned myself with Peekaboo Beans because I believe in the same values. I believe in quality, in creating abundance and living generously. I am proud to tell people that we are not expensive, but that we care about real value in the whole entire chain. Peekaboo Beans is a socially responsible company and we care deeply about the legacy we are leaving in the lives that we touch.

We all have a choice to make when it comes to buying clothing for our children. Consumers are educating themselves and making deliberate choices as to where to spend their money. Annie from Phd In Parenting wrote recently that boycotting made in Bangledesh is not the answer. What we need to do is support companies that function ethically and with social responsibility.

I may not have all the answers that consumers are looking for, but I can definitely find them. If you have unanswered questions about Peekaboo Beans manufacturing, please email me vicky@peekaboobeans.com.

Learn more about our continued work with Playground Builders in Afghanistan (and the world).

But not for Peekaboo Beans; we are so far ahead of the race you can’t even see us. We are a company that puts families first. A company that doesn’t require you to choose your work over your family. If your kids are sick, you stay home with them. If your kids have a school recital  you go – no questions asked. If your kids have a PD and you need to get a few things done, you bring them to work.

One step at a time, we are changing the way the work force prioritizes families. I’m so proud to be a part of such a progressive company, and one that has its priorities in line.

Our Peekaboo Beans booth will be on display for two days:

Sunday February 17th from 9:00-5:00 pm
Monday February 18th from 9:00-5:00 pm

Here are some highlights from last year’s event!

The  Sensory Processing Disorder Parent Support Network posted on their page: How many kiddos here are never thirsty? Or always thirsty? Always hungry or never hungry?

My 6 year old son Joel has a sense of urgency about eating and drinking. He doesn’t seem to notice that he’s thirsty or hungry (or that he needs to pee for that matter) until it is the ABSOLUTE last second!   Just like another person who posted on the thread, I’m not sure Joel feels it until he is extremely hungry or thirsty. Today was such a roller coaster ride of ups and downs that all came down to a late breakfast, a later lunch, and not enough snacks or drinks. After I had realized that his explosive meltdown and ensuing laying under the dining room table was related to him being too hungry.  I asked him why he didn’t just ask me for a snack. His response? He wanted me to just know that he was hungry without actually telling me? I need to work on being better prepared with snacks on the weekends.

As for peeing, I think most of the time it’s just that he’s too busy playing to take the time to run to the bathroom. So when he does go, it’s a mad dash and panic to get to the toilet before he explodes!

Do your kids tend to have an urgency around eating, drinking and peeing?

SAFETY

1. Chin guards – never worry about  pinching delicate skin when you zip up a zipper. 

2. No small parts. Unlike some kids clothing that is full of embellishments, ours contains no small parts, so there’s no risk of choking. (Especially great for those sensory kids who put clothing in their mouths.)

3. Tangle free strings – our drawstrings are tacked down so they won’t come out. Another bonus, our hoodies do not have drawstrings. 

FUNCTION

4. Twill tape hem – to stabilize our garments. You’ll also notice that it keeps the ends of our shirts from curling up.

5. A-Line Shape – all of our tops have a great shape, with extra room for little bellies. 

6. Flatlock stitching – no bumpy seams to irritate kids! 

7. Easy zippers – we’ve found the best zippers for little hands, with flat round zipper pulls to make learning to dress easy. 

8. Quality fabric – thick and durable to last! Our products are meant to be passed along to siblings or friends (or even sold on Vintage Beans). 

9. Pre-shrunk – nothing like finding a great outfit only to have it shrink beyond use after you wash it. That will never happen with Peekaboo Beans. All of our fabrics are pre-shrunk to ensure perfect fit! 

 10. Thumb holes – find me a kid who doesn’t love them! Great for keeping sleeves down when layering.

FUN

11. Versatility – our collections are meant to mix and match. And now with our FUNdamentals basic collection, you can add pieces throughout the year!

12. Reversible styles! Every season we bring out pieces that are reversible, (like jackets and vests), or convertible (dresses that turn into skirts, or pants that zip off into shorts). It’s our way of making pieces more versatile and fun! 

Do you know a child that would love Peekaboo Beans? Email me for more info, vickyb.stylist@peekaboobeans.com or to place an order with your own personal shopping account.

We dread mornings at our house. Not the getting up at 6 a.m. (if we’re lucky). Not the multiple diaper changes (two year old and 8 month old). It’s our six year old – and her ongoing battle with seams, socks and fabrics.

Our daughter has tactile sensitivity, meaning things most kids would never notice about getting dressed can be a major source of aggravation for her, and by extension, my wife and me. Most days I’m the one getting her dressed while my wife deals with the baby and we pray our son stays in bed for a few minutes.

For the longest time it was the same routine in my daughter’s room:

“How about this? You like this colour”.

“No! It pinches me!”

“Ok, how about these?”

“No! Those hurt my legs!”

“Fine – what do you want to wear?”

“My bathing suit?”

“Honey, it’s a school day”.

Queue meltdown.

Finding clothes that meet her needs and seemingly were made with her in mind has been a godsend. Little things that most people don’t even consider – flat seams, thumb holes in the arms allowing her to avoid bunching when she puts on a jacket, loose fitting legs with a snug elastic waist – make her Peekaboo Beans clothes her undisputed favourites. That makes her life (and our mornings) 100% easier.

It’s not well understood why some kids have tactile sensitivities, the upshot is the same. She can love an item of clothing in the store, or even to try it on for a few minutes. But actually wearing it – sitting, moving, running, generally being a child – can be an ordeal if the fabric, fit and design aren’t right.

Some might think our daughter is just being a Princess, wanting what she wants when she wants it. Believe me, that was our first thought too. After dealing with this for years and finally reaching out for help to doctors, psychologists and Occupational Therapists, we know understand that she’s not doing this on purpose. Her tactile sensitivities are part of a real disorder, Sensory Perception Disorder (SPD) and it’s something she can’t control.

Now, that’s not to say she isn’t a Princess. She is. Very much so. That’s also why Peekaboo Beans works for us. Anything considered stylish, fun and even “cool” by our own redheaded diva are rare and prized indeed. Right up there with Justin Bieber and iCarly. There are lots of “cool” clothes though, she can go to the mall and find stores full of faux-80s glam clothes she simply adores – on the rack. And she will beg for them, occasionally even getting them, but despite the early onset peer pressure of Elementary school she still can’t bear to actually wear them.

I’m so thankful my wife discovered Peekaboo Beans; it’s made all the difference for our daughter, allowing her stay “cool” while staying warm, relaxed and comfortable at same time.

Neal Dawe