Clothing for Kids Buying Guide

Kids develop opinions about what they want to wear at a very young age and often inexplicably. The key is to negotiate with them until you both think you've come out the victor. This is one set of inevitable battles of childhood. Are you excited yet?

Questions to Consider

If you manage to wrest any control from your tykes, ask these questions of your children's clothing:

• Will it take the abuse my child will put it through and come out clean and presentable?
• Will it fit in 3 months? 6 months? A year? 3 years?
• Is it durable enough (in strength and fashionability) to become a hand-me-down?
• Does my child think it's comfortable?
• Will s/he be interested in wearing it in the future?
• Is it versatile?
• Is it worth the price?
• No rules are set in stone for how boys should dress versus girls.
• Children often choose to express their identities through clothing. Listen up.
• Their tastes will change throughout the years. Do not get too worked up about any particular trend.
• Read our Men's Guide To Getting Dressed and Figure-Flattering Clothes for Women for some more mature style advice.

Girl's Clothing

Since we know shopping for boys and girls can be quite a different experience, we've broken the shopping guides down by gender. Check out the complete Guide to Girl's Clothing for a overall look at girl's clothing. Covers sizes 4-6x and 7-16. Next step? We've broken it down in two easy to follow guides: Casual and Dress Clothing. Get ready to shop!

Boy's Clothing

Getting your son outfitted will be a snap.  Here's how to get started: Check out the complete Guide to Boy's Clothing to consider all the options. Covers sizes 4-7 and 8-20. Once again, we've broken it down for your shopping pleasure. You pick: Casual or Dress Clothing.

Style Tips of the Moment

• Sporty is always fashionable and comfortable.
• Shirts from favorite sports teams,  team-themed  clothing, rugby shirts,  tank tops,  track pants  and sneakers  will let your kid play like s/he wants.
• Preppy has gone mainstream.
• Your daughter can wear a polo shirt  with nice khakis  or a skirt. 
• Your son can dress up in a polo shirts,  argyle vest  and khakis. 
• Don't be afraid of pastels and soft fabrics.
• Urban clothes give your kid the hip-hop vibe.
• Track Suits,  Timberland shoes,  t shirts  and baggy jeans  keep your child stylin'.
• Hip clothes change year to year.
• Your child could want dress just like the teenagers, except more modestly.
• Check out our Women's Spring Style Guide and extrapolate the styles for your daughters.
• This year is lacy, white, strong and hippie.
• Boys can take advantage of the continual march towards a male fashion sense.
• Don't be afraid to mismatch prints in formal wear.
• Classic clothes can work as a great basic fashion layer.
• Solid print  shirts and boys  or girls  jeans can work every day.

Seasonal Styles

• Read our guide for Back to School to make the fall transition easier.
• This Halloween Guide is a perfect place to start your search for the scariest (or cutest) costume.
• The Guide to Winter Clothes will keep your kids snuggly and warm this winter.
• Want the cutest holiday card ever? Read our Holiday Clothes for Kids article and you can't go wrong.

Footwear

Boys  and Girls Sneakers	Boys  and Girls Dress Shoes	Boys  and Girls Sandals

External Links

• eHow -- How to teach your kids to do laundry.