As your child grows older, you’ll need to buy more clothing to fit their growing body. Figuring out when and how much clothing to buy for each stage of their development can be tricky. In this article, we have some tips you can use when buying new kids’ clothing.
Room to grow
A good way to get the most out of your kid's clothes is to purchase items that have room for them to grow. Items that fit perfectly won’t work for long, and you’ll find you need to replace them quickly. If you choose clothing with a bit of growing room, you can get an extra few months out of the items. Don’t go buying things that are far too big and expect your toddler to be happy to wear them; just opt for items with a bit of growing room rather than things that are snug to fit. Remember you can always turn up long trousers if needed to allow for growing room.
Number of items
When shopping for new kids' clothing, buying everything they need and more can be tempting. However, you need to set limits as kids grow so quickly it's likely that they will need more clothing in a larger size in six months. Only buy the items you think your kids will get a good amount of wear from, rather than a huge selection of clothing items that they may only wear once. Some parents end up with clothes that their children never wear because they simply grow out of them before they have a chance to wear them.
Material
Another important factor to consider when choosing kids' clothing is the material. Fabrics that will be close to your toddler or child's skin should be soft and gentle. Cotton is a great fabric; it’s breathable, so your child can run around and enjoy playing without becoming too hot. Other fabrics that aren’t as close to the skin can be more hardwearing, especially if your child is running around and playing outside. Denim and corduroy are great strong-wearing fabrics that can help to protect knees and elbows from falls and scrapes; these are best on the outside of clothing, kept away from your child’s delicate skin. Organic kids clothes are perfect for children with extra sensitive skin and those prone to skin conditions. No pesticides are used to produce organic clothing, so there's less chance of skin irritation. In addition, organic cotton is better for the environment and is softer and more breathable.
Weather and season
When you’re buying kids' clothing, purchase items suitable for the current season. Your child will grow quickly, and in a few months, they will need more clothing for the next season, probably in a larger size. Make sure your child is dressed comfortably for the weather, don’t dress them in summer clothing for the winter and winter clothing for the summer, no matter how great they look; always choose items suitable for the current season.
Color and pattern
Clothing is all about expressing who you are as a person, and your child will enjoy the process of defining themselves by choosing their own clothes. Children love bright colors and patterns, and it's great to get them involved in choosing their own clothing when they’re old enough. Choosing their clothing might help them to get dressed quicker in the morning and put a smile on their face for the day. However, if you have too many bright colors, it can be hard to create an outfit that goes together and looks good. A good way to combat this is to select colorful t-shirts and pair them with plain trousers or plain skirts. The same goes for dresses, choose colorful dresses and pair them with plain jackets and tights or leggings. This combination will allow you to mix and match your kid's clothes to produce a huge range of different outfits.
Buying new kids' clothes can feel like a chore, but it can also be fun. Give your child a chance to choose between a few styles that are all in your price range; getting them involved with the activity will help them to develop their own style and feel happy about wearing the clothes they’ve chosen.