Chilly days have arrived and along with them so has the need to start making some room for introducing and sorting the warm clothes in the closet. For parents, this might seem to be a somewhat difficult task when it comes to picking the ideal clothes for their kids, because there’s always the struggle of buying more than necessary as well as buying the wrong items which is where this blog post comes to the rescue.
It’s important to understand that while kids may not feel cold as much as we do, because of their accelerated metabolic rate, their bodies still get cold which can be seen through the cold extremities. Besides, seems like our grannies were right after all, we’re more likely to catch a cold when the weather is cold and we aren’t dressed properly.
Layering
One of the easiest ways to decide on the suitable clothing pieces is to consider layering as it would point out the essentials; since it should consist of base, mid and outer layers, you can make up your mind when shopping for kids’ clothes thinking in terms of these layers. What I like about it is the fact even in case your child gets hot and sweaty, you could always easily remove a layer.
Base - Now, let’s start with the basics: the base or inner layer demands for items that are moisture-wicking, considering it’s the one closest to the skin, so look for underwear that’s made of materials known for this very property – if you don’t like synthetics such as nylon and polyester, organic bamboo and merino wool are good options, more so given they don’t hold onto odours either.
Middle - Moving on, a little boy jumper is a great choice for indoor and outdoor activities when it comes to the mid layer because it’s designed oversized so as to fit slouchy, leaving enough room for you to add in a T-shirt or a button down shirt underneath it. In case you’re worried about discomfort, skin irritation and redness, especially when not layering with anything under, look for jumpers that are 100% cotton.
Third - As for the outer layer, while it also should have a relaxed fit so as to provide the necessary space for the base and mid layers, it’s mandatory to have properties like insulation, breathability and weatherproofing (i.e. be wind and water-resistant); This goes for jackets, pants and snowsuits.
Accessories - Finish up dressing them with accessories such as hats, mittens and scarves – they’re also essentials because they prevent the cold from making its way through the hands, neck and head.
Feet - As for the feet, apart from choosing waterproof boots with inner lining for extra warmth and rubber soles that provide traction and stability, you ought to choose the socks well, not only paying attention to the material but thickness too, so your child doesn’t end up with shoes that feel too tight.
Additional Considerations
If you’re having doubts about whether or not certain clothing pieces should find themselves in your shopping cart, or whether or not your child should wear them, here are some aspects you need to have in mind:
Versatility – When you want to buy less items, the focus is on how versatile an item can be. Take the little boy jumper, for instance, which goes well with just about any outfit you can combine: it goes well with jeans, or tracksuit, it can be worn on its own, it can be worn with shirts, and it’s ideal for the warmer autumn days just as much as it’s perfect for the winter cold.
Quality – Though kids grow up fast, there are still items you’d get to use more than just one season, that is as long as you choose items of quality. Nowadays, it’s much easier to come across clothes that are made of natural materials in affordable prices, so why go for something cheap that might not even last that one season when you can buy a durable alternative.
Weather and Activity – There are all sorts of clothes meant for the cold, from those particularly warm and thick, to those not all that thick, and the choice you make partly depends on the climate where you live or travel to.
If the temperature doesn’t drop below zero, you wouldn’t need to buy particularly heavy insulated snow jacket and pants for your child, when you could do well with a little boy jumper, regular jacket and jeans, for example.
In terms of activities, if your boy is known for being energetic and spends most of the time running and playing, you wouldn’t have to do too much layering playing because he can easily start overheating and sweating, so it’s advisable to think before you decide to turn your boy into something that resembles the Michelin man.