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Some people will tell you that the best way to buy clothing for kids is to look at the age recommendation on the label. This is because most children’s sizes seem to correspond to the age in months or years of the child that the clothing item is intended to fit. In other words, a “Size 6mo” should fit a baby up to 6 months of age, a “Size 2T” should fit a 2 year old toddler, and a “Size 5″ should fit a five year old child.

Unfortunately, the age recommendation is basically meaningless because:
a) the same size will differ from brand to brand (i.e., the measurements used and the size guidelines are not standard.)
b) kids can grow more slowly or quickly than other children their age.

While this can be problem when buying clothing as a gift, with a little preparation, gift-givers can find clothing that is more likely to fit the intended recipient.

Here are some tips to help make sure that you buy clothing gifts that fit:

• Ask for the child’s basic measurements. Each brand has a size chart, usually on the label, that shows the specific guidelines for each of their clothing sizes; the child’s measurements will help you pinpoint the best size. Height and weight are usually all you need for younger children; for older children, you may also need to know the chest, waist, inseam and/or hip measurement.
• Ask for suggestions. Many parents and children have particular tastes in colors, styles, and so on. Consider asking the parent which type of clothing would be most appreciated and enjoyed.
• Don’t worry about ruining the surprise. Most parents would rather know that you are buying a clothing gift, than to find out that your well-intentioned, but poorly fitting, gift needs to be taken back to the store.
• Keep safety in mind. Watch for tags, drawstring loops, or other small parts that could be swallowed or catch on things and avoid buying clothing that has these parts.
• Check out the fashions. As children grow up, they may prefer to wear clothing that has their favorite cartoon or action character on them or which looks like what their friends wear.
• Review the return policy. Despite all efforts to find the right size, it is still possible to purchase an item that does not fit. Make sure that the retailer you bought it from offers a solid return policy.