Buying Occasion Clothing for Children

FAMILY · GLOBAL

Buying Occasion Clothing for Children

Fabric comfort, sizing for the date, and getting a child to keep it on

Children's occasion clothing is bought for a photograph and worn for eight hours, and the two frequently conflict. Comfort determines whether the outfit survives past the ceremony.

Comfort decides everything

Scratchy linings, stiff collars, tight waistbands and anything that restricts arms will be pulled off. Check the inside of a garment — lined and soft-backed is worth more than any detail on the outside.

Velour, jersey and soft cottons work well for younger children. Structured formal fabrics suit older children who understand why they are wearing them.

Size for the date, not today

Children grow unevenly and a garment bought two months ahead may not fit. Buy close to the date where possible, and check the garment measurements rather than trusting the age label.

If in doubt, size up and have the hem taken up, which is quick and cheap.

Practical details

Fastenings a child can manage, or an adult can manage quickly, matter enormously with toilet training and nappies. Poppers at the crotch and a back zip rather than a row of buttons make the day considerably easier.

Check the outfit allows a nappy change without full undressing for babies.

Bring a change of clothes

Always. Food, drink and outdoor photographs happen, and a child in a stained outfit for the second half of a wedding is unhappy and so is everyone else.

Shoes

New shoes for an occasion cause blisters. Wear them indoors for a few hours across several days first, and bring a familiar comfortable pair for the evening.

Photographs

Pale and heavily embellished fabrics behave unpredictably under flash and in bright sun. If the day will be photographed, it is worth seeing the outfit in daylight before committing.

Mid-tone colours photograph more reliably than pure white, which blows out in bright conditions.

Buying for siblings

Coordinating rather than matching outfits usually looks better and gives each child something they will wear again. Order everything in one batch so dye lots match.

Order early, since children's occasion ranges are seasonal and sizes sell out.

What actually gets worn again

Separates are worn far more than a single formal outfit, and a good jumper or trousers survive several occasions. Buy one statement piece and pair it with plain items you already own.

Check the care label before buying, since dry-clean-only children's clothing is generally worn once.

Washing and reuse

Check the care label before buying, since dry-clean-only children's clothing is worn once. Separates get worn again far more than a single formal outfit.

Pass it on afterwards, since occasion clothing is barely worn and holds up well.

WHERE TO BUY

Ready to shop Petite Maison Kids? Use the link below to visit the official store.

→ Shop Petite Maison Kids — official site

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