Children’s clothes need to stand up to a lot: playing, washing, crawling and everyday spills. Yet when shopping online, it’s not always immediately clear whether a garment is suitable for the purpose you’re buying it for. A nice photo or a familiar brand name tells you little about fit, material or care.
Use this practical guide to compare children’s clothes by checking the product details. It’ll help you find the right T-shirts for babies, girls’ clothes, boys’ clothes, hoodies and sweatshirts from brands including Chicco and Tommy Hilfiger.
Age labels such as ‘6 months’ or ‘3–4 years’ are useful as a starting point, but children don’t all grow at the same rate. So, focus on the European size in centimetres. For example, a Chicco T-shirt in size 062 is designed for a height of around 62 cm, while size 074 is suitable for a height of around 74 cm.
For Tommy Hilfiger, check the size guide too. The product information lists, for example, size 98 for 3–4 years, size 104 for 5–6 years and size 116 for 9–10 years. If you’re unsure, measure your child’s chest, waist and height.
Cotton baby clothes can be made from 100% cotton, or from a blend with elastane. This affects how they feel to wear and how much stretch they have.
A material claim doesn’t guarantee a particular wearing experience. Check the fabric’s thickness, finish, seams and care label too.
A short-sleeved T-shirt is practical on its own or under a cardigan. A children’s hoodie is more useful for playing outside in changeable weather, while a sweatshirt without a hood can be comfortable for school or travelling.
Look out for details that make a difference in everyday use:
Measure your child’s height without shoes and compare it with the size information on the product page. Common sizes for babies include 056, 062, 068, 074, 080 and 086. For toddlers, you’ll often see size 092 or larger.
Don’t automatically buy a much bigger size ‘for later’. An oversized T-shirt can get in the way when your child is crawling or playing. Also check whether the style is a standard fit, a gender-inclusive fit or a set with several pieces.
The composition should be clearly stated on the product page or label. The selected range includes:
‘Organic’ describes the origin or certification of the cotton, but doesn’t by itself tell you how thick or hard-wearing the garment is. So always check the full product specifications.
Follow the washing and care instructions on the label. The right temperature, drying method and ironing setting can vary from one product to another. Clothes with elastane, prints or ribbed details may benefit from careful washing. A garment that fits easily into your everyday laundry routine is often more practical than one with complicated care requirements.
Why it suits this profile: This short-sleeved T-shirt is made from a straightforward 100% cotton fabric and is designed for boys around 74 cm tall.
The size, colour, intended wearer and material composition are all clearly stated. So you don’t have to rely on the product photo or age guide alone.
100% cotton; short sleeves; size 074; blue print.
Why it suits this profile: According to the product information, this gender-inclusive hoodie is made from 100% certified organic cotton. Its neutral light grey colour makes it a versatile choice for everyday wear.
The size can be checked against a size guide, and the composition is specified. That lets you compare the hoodie based on facts rather than brand image alone.
100% organic cotton according to the product information; kangaroo pocket; hood; ribbed trims.
Why it suits this profile: The two-piece T-shirt and shorts set is practical for active days, holidays or when you need a complete outfit in a hurry.
You won’t end up with a separate T-shirt that still needs matching with suitable bottoms. The product information clearly states that this is a two-piece set.
T-shirt and shorts; size 122; dark blue; 95% cotton and 5% elastane.
We’ve put together a complete, up-to-date list of products that meet these strict selection criteria and the applicable European safety regulations.
Measure your child’s height and compare it with the EU size in centimetres. Use age only as an additional guide. For larger sizes, also check chest, waist and hip measurements if they’re listed on the product page.
Not necessarily. According to Tommy Hilfiger’s own product information, certain hoodies and sweatshirts are made from 100% certified organic cotton. This tells you about the type of cotton and its certification, but not, by itself, how the garment feels, how hard-wearing it is or how it fits. Check the construction and care instructions too.
That depends on how quickly your child grows, how often the clothes are worn, the material, seams, prints and care. For frequent wear, choose clothes that fit well, check the washing instructions and rotate several T-shirts or sets. That way, you won’t need to wash the same garment every day.