PFAS65/ 100Good
Overall49/ 100Poor
Nautica Girls Jeggings

Macy's · School Uniforms

Nautica Girls Jeggings

Good

Lower concern; basic apparel with no known PFAS-prone treatments.

Verdict · SkipCotton-blend jeggings with no established safety red flags; standard apparel construction and lower PFAS concern support routine purchase.

Nautica jeggings are standard cotton-blend pants with no disclosed water-resistant or stain-resistant finishes. No public PFAS claims or testing available.

Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.

Material

Cotton blend jeggings, standard construction

Brand disclosure

Brand is silent on PFAS

Lab data

No public lab test

What’s concerning

♾️

Category baseline

The starting point for this type of product, before anything specific to this product is counted.

70/ 100
♾️

No PFAS disclosure

No public statement from the brand about PFAS in this product.

85/ 100
💨

Formaldehyde / VOCs

Cotton-blend jeggings typically receive formaldehyde-based resin treatments for wrinkle resistance and shape retention. Residual formaldehyde may off-gas or leach during early wear and washing; pre-washing reduces this risk significantly.

Source, ATSDR
70/ 100
🎨

Azo dyes and color fastness

Dark-dyed jeggings may contain azo dyes that can release aromatic amines under sweat or friction. Mass-market apparel is not systematically tested for banned azo dyes, though no specific Nautica product violations are on record.

70/ 100
⚠️

Antimony in polyester component

Polyester in the blend may contain antimony as a catalyst from synthesis. Antimony migration from synthetic fibers worn against skin is generally low, but becomes a consideration during storage or if fabric degrades.

70/ 100
🫧

Microplastics

Synthetic elastics in jeggings degrade over time and repeated washing, potentially releasing microplastic fibers. This is standard for all elasticated synthetic apparel and increases with heat exposure and age.

Source, EPA
70/ 100

What’s reassuring

Base material not linked to PFAS

The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.

100/ 100
⛏️

Heavy metals

No published recalls or reports of toxic heavy metal contamination in Nautica girls' jeggings. Routine industry oversight by Consumer Product Safety Commission limits this risk in US-sold children's apparel, though third-party testing would be required to confirm absence.

Source, FDA
95/ 100

The full breakdown

What it's made of and why it matters

Nautica Girls Jeggings are a cotton-blend fabric, typically cotton with polyester for stretch and durability. Cotton itself is a natural fiber with low inherent chemical risk, but blends require synthetic fibers and processing aids. Standard jegging construction involves dyeing, finishing resins (often formaldehyde-based), and elastic components, all of which are common to mass-market children's apparel.

The brand's record and disclosure

Nautica is a mass-market Macy's house brand with no published chemical safety certifications (such as OEKO-TEX or GOTS) readily available for this line. The brand maintains silent stance on PFAS and broader chemical management. No recalls or substantiated safety controversies specific to Nautica girls' jeggings have been reported in public databases.

How it compares in its category

This product sits in the middle-to-lower tier of transparency typical for mainstream department-store children's apparel. Certified organic or eco-labeled alternatives (e.g., cotton certified under GOTS) offer greater chemical assurance, but carry higher cost. Comparable mass-market jeggings from Old Navy, Target, or Gap follow similar construction and disclosure patterns.

If you buy it

Wash before first wear to reduce loose dyes and residual finishes. Use mild detergent and avoid high heat (warm water preferred) to preserve elastic and minimize microfiber shedding. Replace when elastic degrades noticeably or seams show wear, typically after 1-2 years of regular rotation. Air dry when possible to extend fabric life and avoid heat-induced breakdown of synthetic components.

What we don’t know

Basis
Model estimate, 72% confidence, not a lab result
Lab test
None on record for this exact product
Brand statement
Macy's has made none

Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.

More school uniforms grades

How we score, every product runs through the same public 0-100 rubric based on materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls. See the full methodology → Spotted a mistake? Report an error.