How To Buy Kids Clothes That Last – Top Tips For Durability
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Want to know how to buy kids clothes that will last longer than a few months of rough play? Here are lots of top tips to help you spot durable clothes that will go the distance.
Kids grow at a really fast rate, and as a mum of two, I know that keeping them clothed can sometimes feel like an endless cycle of buying, wearing, and replacing.
But what’s worse is when you’ve bought something new for your kids to wear, only to discover the item of clothing isn’t fit for purpose. Whether the stitching has come undone after playing with their pals or the item loses shape after just a couple of washes, it’s a frustrating experience.
As well as being frustrating for you, and a strain on your bank balance, buying poorly made clothing can mean that your kids clothes end up in landfill. With 92 million tonnes of clothes ending up in landfills each year, it’s important that we do what we can to avoid adding to that figure.
Thankfully I’ve got lot of clever tips to help you buy kids’ clothes with longevity and durability in mind.
How to Buy Kids Clothes That Will Last
It’s a bit of a minefield, so to help you out here are 7 clever clothes shopping tips on how to buy kid’s clothes that will last. This will help ensure the clothes you buy (new or old) live to a ripe old age and tread much more lightly on the earth.
I have focussed mainly on kid’s clothes here, but these tips can apply equally to all clothing:
- Look For Quality Fabric
- Prioritise Well-Made Seams & Stitching
- Look For Clothes That Allow For Growth
- Check The Neckline
- Check The Buttons And Zips
- Look For Clothes That Have Multiple Functions
- Shy Away From Fashions
Look For Quality Fabric
When it comes to longevity, the fabric is everything. Natural fibres like organic cotton, wool, and linen tend to wear better than synthetic alternatives. They also wash well and maintain their shape over time, compared to synthetic fabrics, which have a tendency to pile and feel scratchy.
As well as looking out for natural fibres, try to opt for heavier, thicker, fabrics with closer weaves or knits. These tend to be more durable and long lasting, and more likely to stand up to rough play and general wear and tea.
A quick way to test the durability of fabric in a shop is to hold it up to the light. If you can see through it easily, chances are it won’t stand up to the ways kids play.
If you’re shopping online, you obviously can’t do that. So types of fabrics that tend to have a longer life include denim, corduroy and heavy-knitted cotton fabrics. Those with a small component of elastic, for example, lycra, can also be beneficial for retaining the shape and longevity of clothes.
Prioritise Well-Made Seams & Stitching
Finding durable clothing isn’t just about the material. The way it’s made is equally important. Sturdy stitching and reinforced seams make a world of difference in how long an item will last.
When buying kids clothes, in particular, look for double stitching, especially around high-stress areas like knees, elbows, underarms, the crotch, and cuffs. Avoid clothes with loose threads or flimsy seams, as these will unravel quickly. And if you’re buying trousers, check for reinforced knees – a feature that can significantly extend their lifespan.
Look For Clothes That Allow For Growth
Adjustability is another key factor in making clothes last. When kids have growth spurts, they tend to grow up rather than out. As such, I recommend looking for adjustable straps, or roll-up cuffs that allow garments to grow with your child. In waistbands look for elastic AND drawstrings for both a stretch and a pull-in.
Some brands even design clothing with clever extensions, such as trousers with extra hem length that can be let down as needed. These can make a big difference in how long a piece of clothing remains useful.
Check The Neckline
My kids hate wearing clothes with tight necklines. They find them a pain to get on and off and can hurt their ears. Plus, if the neck isn’t stretchy then it means the whole garment is at risk of stretching out of place when they are trying to yank them off their heads.
As such, it’s best to check that the neckline is stretchy and wide enough to go over their head. A good ribbed fabric around the neck will help with stretch and will mean the item won’t stretch out of place.
Check The Buttons & Zips
It’s also important to consider the fastenings. There is nothing worse than all the buttons on a garment falling off within a few days of wearing. Don’t be afraid to give them a tug to test the quality of the stitching of them!
Buttons do offer one benefit though – they are an easy fix. Zippers on the other hand wear out and are hard to fix, so are not always the best choice for longevity. However, if you make friends with a good repairer they can replace a zip in a jiffy!
Look For Clothes That Have Multiple Functions
When shopping for kids’ clothes, it’s a good idea to look for multifunctional garments so that you can get more wear and more value from the item. Whether it’s a pyjama top that can double as a daytime top, leggings that can double as a pair of tights, a coat or jacket that’s reversible, or something else, it’s a great way to make your clothes go further.
Shy Away From Fashions
As someone who spent the 1980s dressed in my (much) older sister’s hand-me-downs from the 1970s, I’m a firm believer that you shouldn’t buy kids’ clothes based on how fashionable they are – especially if you plan on handing them down. Trust me, I spent my childhood dressed like a member of Abba whilst my friends dressed more like Bananarama. I remember the shame only too well!
A good stripe or a single colour will never go out of fashion. Meanwhile, character-based clothing will be out as soon as the new Bluey or Hey Duggee comes along! Look to the long-term item and clothing will still look appealing in the wardrobe next year (or on the next child!).
More Sustainable Kids Clothing Resources
If you are looking for more resources to help you shop sustainably, then you can also check out my post on where to buy ethical kid’s clothes. And if you are looking for more durability chat, then don’t miss my handy guide on how to take care of school shoes, to help make them last longer.
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Great points to look out for – can I add my four extra points as well?
1. T-shirts can also double up as PJ tops if, like me, you seem to get given bottoms with no matching tops
2. Try and be a bit less forgiving on your child always being in perfect clothes – if they are messing around outside then put them in something old that may already be a bit stained or worn at the knee and get plenty more wear out of it.
3. Head to charity shops, Boot Fairs and Jumble Sales (do they still have jumble sales?) and pick up some cheap second hand garments. I got a fabulous designer hoodie on my last visit to a charity shop for just £3 younger son absolutely adores it!
4. Likewise accept second hand clothes from friends and hand on the ones your child has outgrown to younger siblings or friend’s children.
Great tips Rosie – thanks for sharing!
Scandinavian clothes are usually sized much more generously so last longer. I love Polarn O.Pyret, it’s not as cheap as the usual kids places but they often have offers. My 2.5 year old has been wearing a pair of their jeans for nearly a year now, which I would say is pretty unheard of in toddler clothing. My pet peeve is clothes not going over cloth nappies, my son was a big baby and it was very hard to get him trousers to fit over the nappies (he’s slimmed down now). Again good old PO.P fit really well, and I thought it was better to buy a couple of pairs of good fitting trousers than spend the same on several that didn’t fit, very wasteful! They sell well on eBay too, so I pick up used stuff there funded by what I sell.
Ooh, I didn’t know that POP clothes run larger: great tip!