OT: Children's Sizing.. Help!!

[jessp1021]

So I will admit I am a little confused .. I need help figuring out baby/toddler sizing.. when something says 18mo does that mean it should fit up to 18 mo or does that mean 18-24mo?? I am trying to get her some clothes but a little puzzled at what is going to fit.. as a result Baby Gap and Old Navy have become our great friends bc they have the 12-18mo sizing.. any help would be greatly appriciated!!

 

[eh24fan]

Every store is different...that's all I can tell ya. My DS wears 24ms in some places, 2T and 3T shirts in other's...it's a no win game.

 

[jagafen]

If it just says 18m on the label, it will fit up to 18 months, generally. Another strategy (the one I usually used) is to go by the child's weight/height, that sizing information is usually on the hang tags of the garment, and is usually more accurate for fit than just going by a number size. In general, I've found that clothes from Osh Kosh and Gymboree tend to run a little on the bigger side, Carter's and Children's Place are true to size...I'm not a big fan of old navy in general, so I don't know how their sizes run. If you're close to the child's parents, I would suggest the weight/height guideline if you can get that information easily!!!

 

[1hero2princesses]

Yes, kids clothes are just like adults and vary quite a bit in size. 18 months almost always means 12-18 months, so it sizes down 24 months 18 -24 months etc. I find gymboree and gap to run pretty true to size or maybe a little big. I find target stuff generally to run small. Carters, oshkosh to run middle of the road.

 

[rt2dz]

The number size is the max size, but all brands/makers run a little different.

I find Osh' Kosh and Children's Place to run large (and Disney clothes at the Disney Store). I find Gymboree to be pretty on-size, along with Old Navy & Gap. Carters is a little weird. Their sizes tend to run longer (big size wise) with smaller weights (small weight wise)--which is great for my kids (tall & thin), but not so much with friends kids. Target runs on the small size (and Disney clothes in the parks).

 

[Tnkrbelle565]

Definately go by the height and weight measurements on the tags instead of the actual size.

 

[mamaLori05]

Yes, usually the size by itself means up to that size. I have found Baby Gap and Old Navy to be pretty true to size. Children's Place seems to run big in the beginning, but tends to shrink a little, and Gymboree is usually pretty true to size, but sometimes the pants/bottoms run big. I have also found that for whatever reason the Gap and Gymboree clothes seem to be easy to get stains out of. I'm very picky about stains, if I can't get even the tiniest stain out of the clothes, they don't wear them anymore. Maybe it's in my head, but I've been able to get all stains out of the Gap and Gymboree clothing with little work. As far as sizing goes, if you are not sure about something, just get the bigger size because they can always grow into it!!! Anyway, maybe a little more info than you were looking for, but I hope that helps!!

 

[jjhardy]

I go by the weight/height the tag recommends. My daughter is 22 months but still in 12 month shorts/pants and 18 to 2T shirts onesies. She was a preemie and is very TALL but skinny! We had her fitted for a flower girl dress recently and her height was in the range for the 18 months but her chest and weight measurements were for a 12 month.

I love GAP and Old Navy because I get the most out of those clothes because of her sizing...I also love their adjustable waist pants.

 

[jessp1021]

thanks so much for all the feedback!! I have found that Gap and Gymboree run a tad bit bigger for her ( she has had 6 ear infections in just 2mo thus she would not gain weight bc everytime she finally got back to normal she would get another infection and loose weight again, but anywho we had tubes done today so I am hoping to see an increase in weight) I agree that Children's Place seems to shrink after washing it as well. And Target.. oh my.. you would think they were trying to size a babydoll lol!! I think I will start going by the weight guide on the labels. Thanks for all yalls help!!

mamaLori05 I am sooooo the same way about stains!!! I love Gap bc their clothes always feel sooo soft and dd seems truely comfy in their shirts!

 

[NotUrsula]

Yes, usually the size by itself means up to that size.

The glaring exception is Carters. The number on the tag is the bottom number of months, i.e. 6 mos = 6-9 mos, 9 mos = 9-12 mos.

 

[tjlovespooh]

I've always had to go by the height measurements for DS since he's always been tall for his age. He's also more long-torso and has shorter legs. So, I tend to get him larger shirt sizes and smaller pants/shorts (right now he wears a 3T top and 2T shorts). Really, every kid and every brand is different so it can be difficult to buy ahead - I only buy ahead a season or so. I've never bought a whole year ahead (such as buying summer clothes now for next summer, KWIM?).

FWIW, I've found that old navy/gap sizes tend to run smaller than Gymboree and Children's Place.

HTH

 

[irene_dsc]

Other things to consider on sizing:

Depending on the item of clothing, the critical dimension can vary. Shirts tend to be relatively forgiving, but boy clothes tend to be less fitted, and girls tend to be more fitted. Raglan shoulders are also more forgiving than defined shoulder locations. Otoh, my kids often outgrew onesies in torso length first. Overalls and rompers don't have to fit at the waist, while pants are the most difficult because both the waist and the length need to fit at the same time. (Of course, you can always hem, or take in the waist.) Dresses are the most forgiving (unless they are very fitted).

And, once you get past 18 months, forget about sizing consistency, and welcome to size ranges. Not to mention that some clothes you will find in the infant section, and some in the toddler section, etc, depending on the store. Small, medium, large, x-large mean different things depending on whether the clothes are meant for toddlers, little kids, big kids. It can get maddening! And of course, when you buy lots of things used, you don't get the sizing chart help, either - you just have to hold things up and see if they seem true to size. Tho at least you probably won't get shrinkage that way!

 

[mamaLori05]

mamaLori05 I am sooooo the same way about stains!!! I love Gap bc their clothes always feel sooo soft and dd seems truely comfy in their shirts!

I'm glad to hear there is someone else out there as crazy as me!!! Drives my husband crazy, but sooo worth it when I get the comments on how cute my kids outfits are!!

 

[HelenePA]

I still dont know about sizing and I'm going to have #4... my 2 yr old can fit into 5T's or a little boys 4/5... I wanna know what kid they used to come up with their sizes for something places... Most of the time I dont even look at the size.. I look at the hight of the child its "supposed" to fit and go up a size.. it works for us

 

[TexasBee]

And then for added confusion try Hanna Andersson, they use a completely DIFFERENT sizing system (European?). My kids were *both* a 90 at one point (DD going out of it, DS coming into it.)