What do parents look for when shopping for kids clothes?

Question

Im a fashion design student and Im creating a childrenswear line for my senior fashion show. Besides price, I'd like to know what parents look for when they shop for clothes for their kids. For example do you look for the function of the clothes or is it all about style and trends? If so, what are you looking for? Thanks for your input.

Answer 1

Color, versitality, durability, cuteness, sometimes trendiness, and definately how nice it looks like no low cut tops for girl children.

Answer 2

I always look for durability and quality. I have three girls and the clothes are handed down to each girl. Price is not usually an issue if it is good quality, but I love getting great quality clothes on sale or at a great price.

But now that my girls are older and are making their own fashion statement quality is not so much an issue but fashion. My oldest (11 years old) refuses to wear anything from Winners, Sears, or the Children's Place. She only shops at the Jacob Jr or the Gap. I just discovered that Jacob Jr. has great quality clothes and the prices are very reasonable, probably cheaper than what I was spending at Sears. My oldest will only wear what her friends are wearing, and my two youngest are following in her foot steps.

So in the past, I did not mind paying over $250 for a snow suit as long as it lasted, but I am not going to pay such insane prices now because it's all about style.

Answer 3

Well being that I have an 8 yr old girl, I look for style and trends but I also look for the fit, 8 yr olds are bigger now so I want some thing thats going to fit her right. Like H&M;their clothes are cut so small so its hard for me to find things in her size. I like things that don't have too much going on as far as colors and designs because I like to mix and her clothes and I don't like crazy colors that you can't find shoes or sneakers to go with. And last but least the quality, especially in jeans because kids play and dirty their clothes so...the GAP has some of the best jeans. Hope I helped.

Answer 4

I am raising a 3 year old grandson and a 2 year old granddaughter. I look for things that are cute and comfortable but there are other things I look for too. I look for things that are different and that cannot be found at Walmart. I want to dress them differently than all the other children at church. I also will drive an hour south of my home to a specialty children's store because they have adjustable waist pants, shorts and skirts for the children. My grand kids are skinny and yet they are tall so we need the length of a 3T but the waist is often way too big. So Osh Kosh and The Children's Place stores have adjustable waist clothes. That is the most important to me.

Answer 5

I was recently talking to a friend who said her sister in law would always return the "cute clothes" and buy comfortable things for her daughter instead. I think this speaks volumes, because I never thought about kids being uncomfortable in certain clothes. I think cottons and cotton/spandex blends are what she really looks for in childrens clothes because they are easy to clean and allow the kids to play, and well, be kids!

I think that comfortable/ functional clothing with good style would be the way to go.

Answer 6

I think that parents look for practical clothing, as in things that are comfy and are going to last a while. But, it's not all about that- there's always a time where they just buy something because it looks fun and fashionable. Good luck and I hope I helped!

Answer 7

nothing flashy
I'd say fashionable clothes that are fuctional!
hehe
Well, when I say fashionable clothes, I don't mean women and men things in a "mini version" because there has to be a fine line between adult and kid clothes.
I have no idea about boys, but..
if I had an preschool/kindergarten aged girl:
+nice jeans [[maybe with a cute design on them]]
+fun shirts with patterns [[like dots, stripes, etc]]
+polo
+jean skirt [[knee-length]]
+cute shoes
++flats
++uggs [[they make teeney uggs, even for babies!!]]
++sandals//flipflops

But don't make something non-functional.
If they can't play in it, don't make it.
Because when you're a kid, most don't care what they look like.
They care if they can move around while they're playing with their friends.

Answer 8

Well, parents usually look for trends. They don't want to get their kids something that was "in" in the 80's, you know. We also look for function. We want to know if they can wear it for awhile, and if it's good in, like, any weather. We don't like clothes that are too provacative and make them look at least 3 years older than they are. So basically, here's what I'm talking about.
Scenario:
I'm going shopping for my 12 daughter. Polka dot shirts are in now. I go to the store and look around. I see a polka dot shirt that is cotton, long sleeved, and has a collar. I wouldn't buy it because it looks like it was worn 20 years ago. I see a polka dot shirt that is silky, short-sleeved, and has an open back. I wouldn't buy it because it is not appropriate for her age. I see a silk polka dot shirt. It is 3/4 sleeves, a collar, goes down to the waist, and has a belt on it. I would buy this for my daughter because it's "in", it's good for her age, and she can wear it in any season.
Hope this helped!

Answer 9

Im a mother of a 4 yrs old girl, i love my daughter looking nice always whether shes in the house, at school, church or to a party. I usully like her dressing in name brand clothes to b-day parties, at church i look for styles eg it can be a nice cute little skirt with and inner blouse and a cute little blouse over it, or just a nice casual dress, for weekends when I go to the store I prefer her wearing a pair of shorts or jeans skirt with my cute tank top blouses or blouses that say hello kitty or something, and at school i prefer her wearing long jeans with some casual shirts, so for me i like a lil bit of everything and it depends on the occassion. Oh colours a major factor as well, I love bright colours for my daughter such as pink!

Answer 10

Parents love clothes that are...

1. Durable - they want clothes that can last for a long time

2. Cute and Clever - Parents love clothes with cute phrases or slogans

3. Color - Parents look for clothes that can go with other pieces in the child's wardrobe.

4. Comfortable - Parents like clothes made from comfortable materials like cotton. They don't like anything to tight or frilly that their child won't like wearing.

5. Cartoons - When shopping with their parents, kids adore clothes with their favorite cartoon characters. (Like: Dora the Explorer)

Answer 11

I have four sons and I look for some thing different for all of them my 14 year old looks for style my 12 year old looks for comfort and fit he is kind of chunky so not all styles are comfortable for him my 5 year old looks for bright colors like reds ,blues and greens also easy to put on that way he does not have to have help at preschool if he goes to the little boys room and my one year old is all about comfort stuff that is cute but lets him be mobile with out feeling restricted