What's most important when purchasing kids' clothes?
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The Question:
Christine from South Orange, NJ - Age 30 / Girl - 13 months
“I want soft fabric in clothing. Plus, a wide neck for easy dressing makes life so much easier. They need to be well made. My daughter’s in day care, so her clothes get “hard” wear.
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Erica from Philadelphia, PA - Age 30 / Girl - 2 years / Boy - 9 months
“Cost is the most important thing I consider. I mostly purchase from the thrift stores.
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Chris from Brooklyn, NY - Age 49 / Girls - 3 years & 1.5 years
“Quality is key. We definitely do not like any graphic applications (logos, brand names, floral treatments, rhinestones, etc) on clothing. Articles of clothing that are designed well, not the mundane usual stuff, is what we look for. If it is colored bubble-gum pink, we aren’t likely to buy it.
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Shauna from Churchbridge, Saskatchewan - Age 29 / Girl - 17 months
“Quality, and style. I like to look for clothes that will last through washing and wearing over and over again. Also, my daughter is tall and slender, so I need to pay attention to the way it is made (example: adjustable waist pants).
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Denise from Pleasanton, CA - Age 32 / Boys - 8 years, 6 years & 1 year
“I look for a quality product, something that will last for three boys. I look for a good value. I look for organic or made in the USA.
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Jovie from Lancaster, CA - Age 33 / Girl - 15 months
“I want a quality product. It needs to be comfortable to the child (no tags). I want it to be stylish.
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Lucy from Brooklyn, NY - Age 38 / Boy - 10 months
“The price is the most important. I would say the quality of the clothing is very important. The fit of the item. Not everything fits well.
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Natasha from Breckenridge, CO - Age 34 / Boy - 6 years / Girl - 2 years
“I want the clothes to be comfortable. No rough edges or plastic threads that itch. They need to be cute. I try to buy natural (cotton) materials.
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Heidi from Vallejo, CA - Age 37 / Girls - 3.5 years & 1 year
“I want a product that is durable. I don’t want holes in pants because of crawling or things like that. The clothing should hold up for child. Just because it is durable, cute should not be compromised. They need to be affordable, too.
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Heather from Farmington, CT - Age 36 / Boy - 2.5 years / Girl - 8 months
“I want uniquness, something that I won’t see other kids dressed in. I try to stay away from mainstream shopping (no Children’s Place, Carters, Gap…). I want something that stands apart — Janie and Jack, Babystyle, See Kai Run, boutique shops (and believe it or not, Old Navy has very inexpensive but nice/different looking clothes)
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Brandi from Colorado Springs, CO - Age 36 / Boy - 6 years / Girl - 3 years
“Comfort is the most important thing I consider while purchasing clothes for my children. Next would be style. I want them to be cute. Price is always something i keep in mind. (in that order).
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Sherrie from Truro, Nova Scotia - Age 35 / Boys - 12 years, 10 years & 10 months
“Where its made and what it is made of are the two most important factor for me. I want my child in natural fibers. I like cottons on my children.
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Patricia from Monroe, LA - Age 45 / Boys - 6 years & 4 years / Girl - 19 months
“Most of the products I buy are reasonably priced. With three child I need to be cost conscious. Next on the list is style. Quality is also important. I want the product to stand up to the children’s lifestyles.
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Karen from Angleton, TX - Age 47 / Girls - 11 years & 9 years / Boy - 7 years
“When purchasing clothes for the kids, i want the best bang for the dollar. The kids want to buy fancy expensive stuff. However, I buy heavy duty and inexpensive items. I make them buy the expensive items with their allowance.
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Margaret from Great Falls, MT - Age 46 / Boy - 6 years / Girl - 4 years
“I look for clothes that are a good value. I want them to last until they outgrow them. I tend to buy things that are cute and trendy for my daughter.
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Angela from McLean, VA - Age 43 / Girl - 6 years
“The most important thing is that it is cute (she is a girl and likes pink
The next thing is that it’s functional (aside from dress up clothes, will last for play). Is it comfortable - she will try something on and if it has rough edges or bothers her in any way she will not wear it. We are at the age where she must like it. She has a VERY well developed sense of what she likes/does not like and rarely will wear something if she does not like it or if it makes her uncomfortable.
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Patty from Nashua, NH - Age 42 / Girl - 2 years / Boys - newborn twins
“I base a lot of my decisions on the reputation of the brand. I want a product that is sturdy and not cheaply made. I want it to hold up for the time frame my child wears it
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Maureen from Dublin, OH - Age 43 / Girl - 2 years
“I like my daughter’s clothes to be unique. I do not like to buy what everyone else has. They have to be durable yet fashionable.
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Danielle from Lowell, MA - Age 39 / Girl - 18 months
“The first thing that draws me to an outfit is the style. I like cute stylish outfits for my daughter. I want durability as well.
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Michelle from Fargo, ND - Age 38 / Girl - 18 months
“I want a product that is easy to put on (example snaps instead of buttons). I want my child to be comfortable in her clothes, but still cute. I buy quite a few sweatsuits so my child is comfortable at daycare.
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Stephanie from Culpeper, VA - Age 37 / Boy - 6 years / Girl - 2 years
“I look at what material is used first and foremost, then I look at cuteness, trends and colors; also have to admit that I look for clothes that are made in the USA.
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Ande from Dallas, TX - Age 26 / Girl - 4 year / Boy - 6 month
“The key features I look for when purchasing my children’s clothing are style, durability and comfort. All moms want their children to look great. I want that too, but I also want to know that my kids can wear that outfit over and over again without worrying about things such as wash wear and worn out knees.
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Emily from Surrey, British Columbia - Age 29 / Girl - 2 years
“I purchase clothing based on the material type and feel. I want it to be comfortable for her to wear. The price relative to the quality is also a factor. I am very careful about the content on clothing (i.e. cartoon characters, sayings, etc). The seasonality of the clothes is important too.
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Joanna from Boston, MA - Age 40 / Girl - 2 years
“Price is the first item I think about when purchasing clothing. The color and uniqueness is important. I don’t like the cheesy, flashy designs of most American brands. I like simplicity.
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Heather from Sacramento, CA - Age 35 / Boys - 6 years & 18 months
“I want them to be eco-friendly, and in line with our school guidelines (comfy, not media covered) and for me— attractive!
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Katie from Big Pine, CA - Age 29 / Boys - 3 years & 8 months
“Good quality and that it is not that expensive. I also want my child to look fashionable.
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The Wrap-up
Our survey indicates that the moms are very discerning when it comes to clothing purchases. 
Price doesn’t reign supreme, it takes a real blend to win them over: durability, value, comfort and above all… style!
- Style - 18 moms (69%)
- Quality/Durability - 16 moms (62%)
- Price/Value - 11 moms (42%)
- Comfort - 11 moms (42%)
- Natural Materials/Organic - 5 moms (19%)
- Made in USA - 3 moms (12%)
- Brand Reputation - 1 moms (4%)
- Easy to put on - 1 moms (4%)
Next month, The Giggle Guide™ moms are asked, “What are the key features you look for when purchasing children’s shoes?” A perfect fit for the upcoming shoe show and shoe buying season.
