What do we always find hard to find for our children????

[GREENY]

I am thinking of starting my own online business and wanted to get the thoughts of you mums everywhere!!
I have a DS who is 4 years old and I find it hard to get decent shoes without having to pay over the odds, though I think it would be ard to sell shoes online for children as they need to be measured properly?
Could I have anyones thoughts on what they find difficult to buy for their children

Thank you all

Scandanavian

grobags with arms AND mitten type things that flip over.

My boys are both in pink tights

Boys clothes that are simple without any Monsters/monkeys/skulls on.

LONG SLEEVED VESTS WITH POPPERS AT THE NECK

cheap trousers that aren't trackie bottom types that actually accomodate a chunky reusable nappy.

LONG SLEEVED VESTS WITH POPPERS AT THE NECK

cheap trousers that aren't trackie bottom types that actually accomodate a chunky reusable nappy.

Swimming trunks for children with normal sized waists rather than sumo wrestlers.

School uniform in September or January.

Hat, scarves and gloves in school uniform colours.

Belts for young children.

Traditional boys clothes (like JoJo Maman Bebe) but cheaper and for children older than 4.

One of my holy grails has been light, simple, unisex "windcheater" rain jackets in plain nice colours, showerproof on the outside, lightly lined - eg with cotton flannel - on the inside, with a hood: neither (a) heavy fleece nor (b) that horrid horrid "mesh" lining, which is of no earthly good.

Like a sort of Uniqlo item for children, light & packable & wearable most of the year without being clammy and plasticky like pac-a-macs are.

Petit Bateau used to do them, but no longer; after about a month's serious dedicated trying everywhere, I found our current ones (in the boys' range, but dd is an amenable sort) in Zara. If there was a company which did those year in/year out, I'd be a regular.

There is plenty of girls clothing out there that is not tarty or covered in logos for 7-11, most children's shops cater for that age group and I have never had a problem with DD's clothing.
I find the next age range 12+ virtually non existant. My DD is 11 but tall for her age but thin and curvy and I know if she grows anymore I will find it harder to get her clothes that are suitable for her age.
I also had the same problem with DS 13, I have hard to order everything from catalogues for years now. He has just had a big growth spurt and is now 5'8 so fits in adults clothes or 16 yr olds.

When they were younger reasonably priced swimsuits were always difficult to get hold of all year round.

I have just discovered Verbaudet nolonger do over 12s

christywhisty - can you please recommend specific chains/department stores/catalogues with nice/age appropriate clothes for 7-11 year old girls?

I have found it to be a hit or miss exercise mostly, and would love to have advice from someone who has got this sussed.

I second swimwear out of season. Children have swimming lessons / go swimming throughout the year so why can I only buy swimwear from January to July?

Most of DD's clothes over the years have come from La Redoute/vertbaudet

odd bits from M&S & Asda and Adams (hasn't fitted into adams heightwise since 9) and Debenhams

Tchibo regularly do a week of children's basics at very reasonable prices ie 3 long sleeve tshirts for under £10
In the last 2 years or so we have bought a lot more from Next, but she is now in 12yr old size so will have to get most of it from their website.

She never looks tarty and only has about 3 items that are Hannah Montanna/HSM which were cheap basics from asda I bought for her school residential trip.
Once dc's hit 12 most of the high street stores don't seem to cater for them.
Apart from Debenhams and the odd M&S (very limited choice) I have not been able to buy anything in a high street store for DS since he was 10.

Sensible vests for girls.
Clothes for older girls that aren't trampy.

boys clothes from age 11 -12 and shoes size 5-6 (adult ) upwards
trousers and swimming trunks for children with normal size waist
clothes that fit round middle for tall slim children
long winter coats
non tary girls clothes - think fat face type style but less pricey - only worth it if you have a younger sib to pass onto

Agree with feetheart, I hate the fact that the only colours for boys are blue, green and grey in most places. Discovered P.OP a scandanavian store (www.polarnopyret.se/Shop. And now how snuggly/cool design pants tops and socks - but they are v expensive, I stock up in the sale! However its worth it cos they wash fab and still look brand new.
I would also pay more for ethically/british made clothes- I think Fabric Flavours uses recyled fabrics??but could be wrong on that.

More elasticated/adjustable child freindly waists - belts and buckles are too hard for little ones potty training.

Trousers and skirts to fit tall skinny girls.

Tank tops, especially 100% cotton but warm and chunky knit ones that can go in the washing machine. They are great for DS but so hard to find.

Also trousers with a stretchy, sweatshirt-rib type material on the waistband, but where the rest of the trousers are normal (eg combats, jeans or cords). They are by far the most comfortable for DS who gets irritated skin from scrunched-up trouser waistbands (as I'm sure many children do).

Trousers in different waist fits. Adjustable ones are ok, but for real skinny minnies you end up with a huge bulge at the sides which isn't comfy and looks naff.

I second warm, practical coats for girls.

I also second modern clothes for 7yrs plus that aren't mini adult clothes or branded.

Toddler and pre school girls clothes in non pale colours. Bright and stain-resistant is good!

Shorts for toddler boys that are slim, not huge combats that look daft with a pair of twiggy legs!

Clothes for mums especially designed to hide the belly. Don't care what else they do, but nice tops and trousers that are specifically designed to minimise the post baby 5-month-pregnant look.

Macs for girls that are thicker than pac-a macs, but not as thick as ski jackets. Mothercare used to do them, but no more.

Hats with two sets of matching gloves for when one gets lost...

All these need to be reasonably priced of course - no more than M&S prices...

Erm, that's it for now