December 04, 2023

Size is not an expiry date. See how to choose clothes that will last your child longer

Children's clothes are supposed to be associated with fun, joy and freedom of self-expression. Yet parents of toddlers often associate these products with other emotions: impatience, frustration and helplessness. Because, after all, children grow up so quickly, and during lively play things get destroyed. And every now and then you have to buy something new. But are you sure? 
Every day you rejoice when your little one takes another step and learns another new word. You rejoice in her proper development. And this can be... well. Very intense indeed. Especially when we're talking about a child's body.

Statistically, two-year-olds gain 10 to 12 centimetres each year. In the 3rd and 4th year of a child's life, we are talking about a growth of 6 to 8 centimetres, and the following years we are talking about an average growth of 5 centimetres.

Impressive, right? Now, with this knowledge at the back of your mind, take a look at the size chart below.
And yet, apart from the simple "outgrowth" of the clothes, there is also the question of their deterioration, as the materials do not always hold up against concrete, grass and hard ground ;) The conclusion is obvious: outfitting a child in everyday and seasonal clothes is a frequent and, in addition, quite considerable expense.

What amounts are we talking about? One in three parents spends more than two thousand zlotys a year on children's clothes. In contrast, as many as 18% of city dwellers declare that they spend more than 30% of their income on children's clothes [SOURCE]. Quite a lot, isn’t it?

Let's also remember that something has to be done with used or 'outgrown' items. Fortunately, they are rarely thrown away in Poland. Most often they are given away to family and friends - this is what 58% of Polish parents do [SOURCE]. But this is still not the whole percentage. What about the rest? One can only guess. On the other hand, the problem is not always laziness or an unorganised approach.
Sometimes things are so damaged that it is simply impossible to pass them on to the next person.

Circularity, or prudent shopping for the little ones

From a rational point of view, in order to ensure a better future for the new generations, it would be necessary to act according to the circularity principle. In other words, how? Quite simply: pass clothes on and enjoy the benefits of pre-owned fashion. In this way, we use things until they wear out naturally, postponing the need to throw them away.

For example, the option of recycle and revolve. Give garment second life.

Choose fabrics and materials of the best quality

Okay, you already know how to behave when your little one outgrows their clothes. But what to do to wear them for as long as possible? The answer is clear: pay attention to quality.

Before buying, study the label or the description on the website. A high polyester, elastane, polyamide or acrylic content is a bad sign. This may indicate that the garment is created cheaply, with mass sales in mind, and not for comfortable and long-lasting wear. Cotton, linen, wool, tencel or silk are much better alternatives.

You may also be interested in whether the garment has the relevant labels and certifications, such as GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard), Oeko-Tex Standard 100, Fair Trade Certified Cotton, Bluesign or SA8000. They are all synonymous with a careful production process.

Another good tip is to pay attention to the seams and the way they are sewn. The cuts, which are simple to the point of exaggeration without any interesting details, unfortunately speak for themselves: they were made "on the fly" and reproduced in a mass manner. Crooked stitching and threads sticking out on all sides are not a good sign either. They directly scream: ‘We are not suitable for long-term use, and after a few uses you will throw us away anyway’.

Versatility and aesthetics beyond the trends of the moment

Sometimes it's the case that trends change faster than your little one grows. Really! This is exactly the kind of absurdity that fast fashion has led to. Did you know that this fashion industry currently promotes 52 micro-seasons of sales per year [SOURCE]?

Let us resist these harmful practice. Let's buy less, but buy smarter. Because "trendy" is a relative term. It doesn't matter if it's new or pre-owned, as long as it's beautiful, unfussy and timeless.

At KID STORY you will find a large selection of interesting designs that fully meet the needs of parents and toddlers. When creating them, we think not only about aesthetics, but also about making sure the clothes reflect the children's characters and preferred style.

Buying wisely with the future in mind

When buying today, think about tomorrow.

Example? If you are faced with buying a garment that, in an ideal world, would last two, three or four seasons, choose one that is a size or two larger. For instance, if the jacket has an oversize cut, no one will notice the difference. The sleeves can always be rolled up if necessary.

Another piece of advice, less down-to-earth and more uplifting: remember that every consumer choice has an impact on what will happen in ten, twenty or thirty years. Will you choose a sustainable, rational and ecological world? That is up to you.

 

 

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