Help! Clothing for a tall and stocky 4 year old DD

[umck2014]

I need some help please.

My DD is 4 and is 112cm tall. Her height and weight is bang on 97-99% for her age. We love the outdoor and she lives in leggings and jeans but atm i'm finding a hard time trying to find anything that fits her. It's even harder now with the lockdown, i don't even go into town with her and try on stuff.

I've been buying Boden (mostly in sales!) for her in the last 2 years and they used to fit perfect. I love that they are so durable esp their leggings, they truly last. Unlike a lot others they either get ruined in wash or i'd find holes on the knees after only a few wear...

Now that she's 4, she need to wear 7-8 dresses/top, however, i find their leggings to be too long but too tight in the waist now.

I was looking at Gap earlier, and is it just me, their style has gone awful for a preschooler? Their toddler stuff is still cute, and the teen ones are nice too. But anything i've seen in between are very granny like

Please can someone direct me to the right direction for something that are lovely and durable for a tall stock little girl?

Frugi might fit the bill.

Oh i've heard of them but never come around to try them. Will look them up now thanks Whathappenedtothelego

My DD was similar and I found Next and M&S were most reliable as she has a long torso and arms. John Lewis leggings also pretty good.

My DD is very fussy and won’t wear anything she deems to be “too tight”. I’ve found H&M kids good for joggers/looser jeans. Some of their stuff has a 2 year size range so they are a bit more generous. They are reasonably priced but have all washed well.

I also like h&m once they are out of toddler sizes. They do some brushed leggings which dd had and are so warm and cosy. They were great when she did forest school..

Height wise you'd be looking at a 5-6 (usually 116cm). Boden is slim fitting I've found, my teenage DS has jeans from there as he needs a 26W 30L. Cheaper brands tend to be wider fitting on average.

Have you tried zara? The kids clothes come up quite big and long

@rogerthatoverout

My DD was similar and I found Next and M&S were most reliable as she has a long torso and arms. John Lewis leggings also pretty good.

@rogerthatoverout Thanks! I used to buy from M&S quite often but i did find their quality has gone down (but it has also been reflected on the pricing). Going to check out JL now. And if you don't mind me asking, did you DD grow out of this stage?

@TheUpholder @Findahouse21 Oooh i haven't! She actually doesn't have anything from H&M. Will definitely add that on the list to check out.

@Kowari She's almost outgrown her 5-6 Boden leggings/tops/dress (she has long arms) Last weekend I ordered some tunics and dress for xmas the next size up - hopefully they'll fit! Didn't manage to get her any leggings/trousers as the sizing is just off. I agree they are definitely more for the tall and lean.

@Tweetypietwo no i haven't! Haven't shopped in Zara for ages. Having a look now :)

@umck2014 she just turned last month 7 and has slimmed down but is still pretty tall (138cm) and she's athletic, so broad shouldered and wearing 11-12 top half and 10-11 bottoms, but like other posters have said, she also doesn't like tight clothes so they have a bit of give for her.

I had this with my son for a period. I think a good idea for tops is to go for t-shirts and hoodie- I never found long sleeved tops to fit well. Also, I see that you have favoured more expensive brands but ASDA jeans and school trousers were always the roomiest for my son. Also, next seem to do loose trousers for girls. Another idea would be to go for tights with comfy dresses/skirts?

Have you tried 'boys' clothes? They are often a looser fit. I found Next to be quite wide as well.

I always find Zara kids clothes really tiny! I've never managed to squeeze my DC into any which is a shame as they're lovely. I also find the M&S leggings crazily small for my DD and can't get then on her.

I agree with Next and John Lewis both coming up quite large. Also Bluezoo at Debenhams and George at Asda both on the larger size.

Does she like dresses or tunics? I often put my tall DD in a dress or tunic with leggings, as a t-shirt leggings is almost certain to end up with her midriff on show. She does wear her brothers old clothes, mostly joggers and hoodies and she seems to like them.

@rogerthatoverout i suspect mine will be the same as she's very agile for her age. No doubt she'll get athletic when she starts school and hopefully will start slimming down a bit. I'm only 5'6' but athletic built and DH is 6'2 so she's never going to be small. I just hope she can slow down. She's just growing up way too fast.

@Earache2020 That's a good idea - actually she's been living in hoodies (with a tshirt underneath) with leggings for a while as she finds it most comfortable (great for play!) The only reason i've gone for more expensive ones in recent years is purely for quality purpose. I used to buy clothes that didn't last (though they are cheaper to buy, i don't seem to have much luck with them - they don't hold up shape or shrink in wash etc). But honestly i haven't bought from Asda (but have done in Sainsbury's and Tesco in the past) I will definitely have a look next time i'm in the shop. :) I just had a look on Next, a lot of the ones i think she likes are out of stock.

I think HM (tops and dresses) & Frugi (tights and leggings) are winners so far I like Zara too but i think they are too 'fashionable' for her (or me?) They'll just get ruined. i just know it.

@kowari no... it's funny my DS is 14 months and he's been wearing his sister old clothes (and i don't careeeeee) But no i don't think i'll dress DD in boys clothes. Maybe i grew up being a tomboy - i'd like her to be a little more girlie but not OTT princessy if you know what i mean.

@CoffeeSTAT WIll definitely check out Asda and JL. I love the hoodies and leggings combo. The problem is finding the right leggings! - have bought so many that never seem to stay up!