Clothing "shift change"

[judecorp]

I spent a good chunk of time terrorizing my child today, making her try on all of the current pants in the drawer and then the new pants I bought for fall/school. I had to do this while talking to my aunt on the phone (who did not seem to get that the whining was not enhancing my phone experience, LOL) so it was fun on both ends, let me tell you. But we got it done and I got all of her pants tried on and I have learned something very interesting:

1. My kid is no longer super slim, either that or the Old Navy/Gap jeans get slimmer as they size up. When she wore 2T, they were trim but fit well. 3T was more form fitting but still okay. 4T/4 are TIGHT. Like, they actually fit her but they fit like I would have liked my jeans to fit in high school, which is to say they are not very conducive to climbing and squatting and playing. And Punk didn't like them, she complained they were too tight. Bleh. So there are a couple of pairs of jeans (which thankfully were hand-me-downs and I didn't buy them) that I doubt she will be wearing much, if at all.

2. I imagine I will be sending her to preschool in predominantly elastic-waist pants because they are easier for her to take down to go potty. She still struggles with pulling pants UP and no amount of coercing or encouraging seems to help, so I am going to leave that to preschool to teach. Honestly, after all of their crap, they should be teaching her three languages. But anyway, the bonus of the elastic-waist pants is that they fit forever, because they don't get tight. :)

3. Once again, Gymboree wins for the very generous (*cough* too generous) hip/waist sizing (ditto Hanna Anderssen) but thankfully they all have adjustable waist so I can pull them in a ton. Also, their pants are longer than all of the other pants. But it's funny that their "skinny jeans" are way less snug than the "regular fit" at Old Navy or Gap.

4. All of the issues with my kid's pants being too tight were really triggering for when I was a tween/teen and had a hard time squeezing into junior-sized clothes, and feeling like I was really super obese when in reality I just plain wasn't. But for a few minutes I had a heart-attack moment of "Oh no, is my kid getting fat?" and then I basically had to beat the crap out of myself.

Good times, people, good times. But once the 4T fall clothes are washed, the "shift change" is done. :)

Comments

[enchantedmagic.livejournal.com]

Yeah gymboree IS really great quality. I have an issue with their prints and their style- although this summer collection WAS beautiful. I really always loved Gap jeans it makes me so sad they are sacrificing comfort and sizing for trend. We have some that have gone through a few kids and they are still in great shape. A nice skinny jean is cute to make one outfit but for every day wear- yeah no.

I never sell the clothes- although everything is in really fantastic shape- If I have 2 boys I will probably find someone in real need and give all of our clothes to her. It's my way of giving back to the universe.

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

A lot of my kid's clothes have been handed down to me and I then hand them down to other people. I do re-sell some of her more expensive stuff (i.e. gymbo) if it hasn't been faded or stained, but never the handed down stuff - just the stuff I bought new. I would have saved them for #2 but alas it wasn't meant to be. :)

I've noticed that boys' pants are much more fuller cut so I always buy Punk at least 2-3 pairs of boys' pants (cargos or jeans) - usually at thrift stores - that become her hard core play pants. Thank goodness I did that because it means I have SOME things for #2. :)

[enchantedmagic.livejournal.com]

I buys a lot of boy stuff too. PJs and stuff- because sometimes the girl stuff is just too frilly for my taste- I also have some boy jeans- I've picked up in the gap clearance and such because well it doesn't really matter- they DO fit a whole lot better!! And a lot of it works for both boys and girls- I don't know why they insist in making girls clothes so much smaller- at that age- What is the difference!?! Makes me so mad.

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

I totally agree.