Bundling Up: How to Choose Winter Clothes for Kids

The average American family spends about $1,700 on clothes annually. If you’ve got more than one or two kids, then this number grows each year.

Let’s face it, buying children’s clothes isn’t cheap, especially when it comes time to buy winter clothes.

Big jackets, warm pants, and winter boots are some of the most expensive clothes on the market. And, you only wear them a few months out of the year.

Here’s how to choose winter clothes for kids in a way that will stretch your budget and the use you get out of them.

Buy Winter Clothes in the Fall

Depending on where you live, you might not need a large snow jacket for the winter months.

If you live in a place that has milder winters, buy winter clothes on sale in the fall. You’ll be buying fall clothes, but they double as winter clothes!

A lot of fall jackets from places like REI, Patagonia, and The North Face tend to work great as a winter jacket as well.

This is a great way to snag warm clothes on sale while also ensuring that you’re going to use them for more than one season.

If you do live somewhere that’s a bit colder, buy your winter jackets in the springtime each year when they go on sale. 

Children’s jackets don’t change much in style, so if you buy a large coat on sale this spring, then by the time they use it next winter, it’s still going to be stylish.

Be sure to always buy a size up, as kids grow fast throughout the year!

Invest in Quality Materials

This is a great tip to follow when purchasing clothes for any member of your family, but it’s especially important when you’re looking for winter gear.

Fashion experts recommend to always invest in quality when you’re searching for staple items of a wardrobe. 

This means that if you’re going to buy a coat that a child can grow into over the next few years, you’re going to want to buy one that’s going to last that long.

Other items that you can buy that will last a while include winter caps and hats, sweaters, and undergarments like leggings.

If you’re going to buy a winter cap for a child, then be sure that’s it’s made out of high-quality material such as wool or cashmere.

These options are stylish and affordable but also high-quality. If a winter cap is wool, then it’s going to last over the years until your child grows out of it.

Focus on Fit and Comfort

When it comes to baby winter clothes, you’re going to want to focus on fit and comfort.

Babies are more susceptible to the cold than older kids, so you’re going to want to ensure that they’re wearing a jacket that fits them around the chest and body.

If the jacket is too loose, they’re going to risk catching colds, and that’s no fun for you or the baby.

If you have to, double up on jackets. Fleece jackets are great for use as a middle layer. On top of the fleece jacket, you’ll want to wrap them up in a down jacket or a synthetic insulated jacket.

Down jackets are best for extremely cold climates, but you’ll need to invest in a water-resistant jacket to ensure that they’re protected.

As far as comfort, well, this is the key to ensuring that your children wear their jackets and snow gear!

Most children tend to throw off their jackets whenever they can because they’re heavy or uncomfortable. To avoid this, make sure their winter clothes fit them and that they feel comfortable in them.

Features to Look for in Winter Clothes

What should you look for when purchasing winter clothes for children?

If you can find them, buy clothes with extendable sleeves and pant legs. These kinds of clothing allow you to extend the length of various parts of the clothes by up to two inches, which is great if you want a lot of life out of them.

It’s also a great idea to look for jackets with thumbhole cuffs. These allow children to pull their sleeves down over their hands, which provides them with more warmth.

If your children play a lot out in the snow or if your family takes frequent trips up to shred some snow in the mountains, then look for gear with:

• Reflective accents
• Glove leashes
• ID labels
• Waterproof material
• High-quality insulation

There’s nothing worse than buying a new snow jacket and then having your child somehow lose it when they’re out in the mountains.

Finally, you’ll want to ensure that all their jackets have hoods on them. This is crucial not only for warmth factor but for any rain or snow days that you experience as well.

Elastic closures are a huge plus, too, as they can help your children wrap their ankles and wrists more tightly so that cold air doesn’t enter.

Investing in the Safety of Your Children

Buying winter clothes for kids doesn’t have to be hard or expensive. What you’re doing is investing in the safety of your children and ensuring that they stay warm and healthy all winter long.

Be smart about when you buy winter gear and what you buy. Look for sales online and in stores throughout the year and try to snag deals when gear goes on sale.

Also, try to always buy high-quality items with features that are going to keep your kids warm. If they’re warm and comfortable in the clothing, then they’re more likely to use it for years to come.

Did you enjoy this article? Head over to our Kids and Teens section for more articles about how to parent children.