Buying Children's Clothes That Last

FAMILY · GLOBAL

Buying Children's Clothes That Last

Sizing and growing room, fabrics, safety points and passing things on

Children's clothes are outgrown long before they wear out, which changes what is worth paying for.

Sizing

Age labels are a rough guide and vary enormously between brands. Height in centimetres is the more reliable measurement, and most brands publish it.

Buying a size up works for jumpers and coats and badly for trousers and shoes, where a poor fit causes tripping and discomfort.

Fabrics

Cotton and cotton blends breathe and wash hot. Look for a little elastane in leggings for recovery, and check the weight, since thin fabric wears through at the knees within weeks.

Reinforced knees, flat seams and generous hems that can be let down all extend the useful life.

Safety points

Nightwear in the UK must meet flammability requirements and carries a label stating so. Drawstrings at the neck and hood are restricted for good reason, and cords, ribbons and loose toggles near the face are a strangulation risk.

Check buttons and appliqué are firmly attached on anything for a baby.

Washing

Wash before first wear, cool and inside out, and skip fabric softener on anything absorbent. Treat stains promptly with cold water for milk and blood, since heat sets them.

Where to spend

Coats, shoes and anything worn daily. Everything else can be second-hand, since children's clothes are frequently barely worn.

Buying second-hand

Children's clothes are frequently barely worn, and resale platforms, charity shops and local swap groups are excellent value. Check zips, seams and the knees, which is where wear shows first.

Avoid used items where safety matters — anything with damaged fastenings, and never a used helmet.

Dressing for the weather

Layers rather than one thick coat, and waterproofs with taped seams for anyone who plays outside. Spare clothes in the bag for nursery.

Uniform and school

Buy the cheapest items that meet the requirement and spend on the pieces worn hardest — shoes and a coat. Check the school policy on branded items, which has been loosened in many places to reduce costs.

Label everything, including shoes, since lost property is where most of it ends up.

What children actually need

Far less than the lists suggest. Enough for the washing cycle, something warm and waterproof, and shoes that fit. Everything beyond that is preference rather than requirement.

Clothes that a child can put on themselves encourage independence and save arguments.

Buy a second of anything that is worn constantly and washed constantly.

Passing things on

Resale, swaps, charity shops and textile banks. Clothes with a name label are easier to return when lost.

Label everything for nursery and school.

WHERE TO BUY

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