Buying children’s clothing gifts that fit
Black Friday is upon us and I’m sure that holiday gifts are on a lot of your minds. Clothing is not usually suggested as a kids gift idea because it can be a tricky gift to buy. But, when you account for children’s growth and tastes, clothing can be both a fun and practical gift.
Here are some tips I’ve come across that help ensure that the children’s clothing gift you buy – particularly for someone else’s child – is the perfect fit or, at least, that the exchange process is easy.
Get the Scoop: Let the child’s current measurements, tastes, and clothing needs guide your purchase. The outfit that you think is adorable or useful may not be viewed in the same way by the recipient or their parents. Parents are typically very willing to offer suggestions.
Buy by Measurements, not Size: Use the child’s measurements – rather than the child’s age – to find clothing that will fit. Sizes are not consistent across brands and may not fit as expected. Height and weight are the most common measurements used. As children get older, you may also need to know their waist, hip, inseam, chest, and arm length measurements; again, it depends on the brand.
Balance Sizes and Seasons: Consider buying clothing that is one size larger than what the child’s current measurements indicate, particularly if you are shopping early. Children grow quickly and may be larger by the time they receive your gift. A caution about buying seasonal clothing: the size you buy needs to be fairly accurate in order to make sure that clothing items fit when they are appropriate to the weather.
Check Return Policies: Make sure that the store you buy from has a return policy that is clear and has a time limit that allows the gift to be returned after the date it is given. And, if you are shopping online, check to see if the return process is easy and affordable (such as free shipping) before you check out.
Provide a Receipt: Always ask for a gift or fit receipt so that the gift can be exchanged at full value or returned for a full refund. When a receipt is not available, most stores will only exchange the item for other merchandise, and only at the price that the item is currently available for; post-holiday sales often mean that the item will be exchanged for less than what you originally paid for the item.
Buy Local – to the Recipient: While clothing from your local children’s boutique may be fun, unique, and supportive of your local economy, it will likely be donated to someone else’s child if it does not fit the child you bought it for and it can’t be returned. When you are not sure about a child’s measurements and tastes, and do not live in the same city as them, consider buying clothing online or from a chain store that is also available in the town where the child lives.
Happy shopping!
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