For me, there's nothing worse than jeans that don't fit right. Waist is big enough, thighs are too small, or any combination of other factors. Being an adult woman on the plushier side I've come to expect these problems. However my three year old shouldn't. These are not issues or emotions young children should have to deal with.
Being premature along with a father that has an insane metabolism has resulted in some interesting outcomes for the girl who got her mother's calves, thighs and height, but her daddy's skinny booty. Here's where we run into the bane of many a parent's existence in fashion today: The Skinny Jean.
Don't get me wrong, I adore the legging look for under skirts and with boots. But my daughter's jeans shouldn't be so tight in the legs that I'm lifting her off the bed to get her into them. Same goes for the boy equivalent. My son only wore that mistake when the laundry wasn't done. At this point I'm sure many of you have become frazzled trying to find a store with some alternative to this dreaded creation for your daughters.
I come to your rescue friends. Below is a list of retailers who sell boot or straight cut (not cling to every part of you) jeans for your wee ones.
The Best:
Crazy 8: Bootcut Jeans- 6-12M to 14 (Everything 4+ is available in slim, regular, and plus/husky)
We love Crazy 8 because of their adjustable waist bands and three additional sizing options within each actual size of jean. Long legs but skinny waist? Fear no more, the slim version is your solution. In addition though the list price is $19.98, more often than not you can score these on sale for $8-$12. Crazy 8 always has amazing sales.
The Children's Place: Bootcut 6-9M to 16 (Regular, slim, and plus sizing varies between styles)
The downside is: No adjustable waistband on children's sizing. The upside? Price. $7.50 on sale right now and they run sales often. Regularly $19.50.
The Between:
Target: Bootcut Jeans- 4 to 18 (Regular, slim, and plus availability varies between sizes)
Down side, no options for your toddlers. At least during the time of this post research. We recognize Target changes stock frequently. Up side? Pricing: $8.99-$10.79 on sale. Regularly $14.99-$17.99.
Old Navy: Bootcut Jeans- 12-18M to 16 (Regular, slim, and plus sizing varies between styles)
Price ranges from $8 to $16 when on sale, around $19.94 msrp. Adjustable waistband is a bonus. However we're throwing this one in the Betweens on principal alone. We aren't thrilled with the fact that they've made their Boyfriend Jean in sizes for toddlers and elementary school ages. The connotation isn't something that should be applied to such young children. It isn't difficult to change the name for your younger patrons.
Gap: Bootcut, Straight, and Flare Jeans- 12-18M to 18 (Regular, slim, and plus sizing varies between styles)
We say between with Gap because their sizing is... interesting when compared with other brands. In addition the regular retail price for jeans even for 12-18M sizing is a wallet screaming $29.99. Sales don't lower them much below the $23 mark either and for a spend thrift Mom, they're a huge no.
The Worst:
Gymboree- Bootcut Jeans- 4 to 12 (Regular, slim, and plus available)
Zero options in anything but a skinny for under size 4. Non-adjustable waistband in everything 4+. $16.99 on sale. $32.95 regular price. Ouch. They seriously cost more than Gap jeans? That's a wallet screamer. On the rare occasions they do have bootcuts available for Toddlers, the fit is horrendous.
**Post may be updated with more retailers at a later date.**
Being premature along with a father that has an insane metabolism has resulted in some interesting outcomes for the girl who got her mother's calves, thighs and height, but her daddy's skinny booty. Here's where we run into the bane of many a parent's existence in fashion today: The Skinny Jean.
Don't get me wrong, I adore the legging look for under skirts and with boots. But my daughter's jeans shouldn't be so tight in the legs that I'm lifting her off the bed to get her into them. Same goes for the boy equivalent. My son only wore that mistake when the laundry wasn't done. At this point I'm sure many of you have become frazzled trying to find a store with some alternative to this dreaded creation for your daughters.
I come to your rescue friends. Below is a list of retailers who sell boot or straight cut (not cling to every part of you) jeans for your wee ones.
The Best:
Crazy 8: Bootcut Jeans- 6-12M to 14 (Everything 4+ is available in slim, regular, and plus/husky)
We love Crazy 8 because of their adjustable waist bands and three additional sizing options within each actual size of jean. Long legs but skinny waist? Fear no more, the slim version is your solution. In addition though the list price is $19.98, more often than not you can score these on sale for $8-$12. Crazy 8 always has amazing sales.
The Children's Place: Bootcut 6-9M to 16 (Regular, slim, and plus sizing varies between styles)
The downside is: No adjustable waistband on children's sizing. The upside? Price. $7.50 on sale right now and they run sales often. Regularly $19.50.
The Between:
Target: Bootcut Jeans- 4 to 18 (Regular, slim, and plus availability varies between sizes)
Down side, no options for your toddlers. At least during the time of this post research. We recognize Target changes stock frequently. Up side? Pricing: $8.99-$10.79 on sale. Regularly $14.99-$17.99.
Old Navy: Bootcut Jeans- 12-18M to 16 (Regular, slim, and plus sizing varies between styles)
Price ranges from $8 to $16 when on sale, around $19.94 msrp. Adjustable waistband is a bonus. However we're throwing this one in the Betweens on principal alone. We aren't thrilled with the fact that they've made their Boyfriend Jean in sizes for toddlers and elementary school ages. The connotation isn't something that should be applied to such young children. It isn't difficult to change the name for your younger patrons.
Gap: Bootcut, Straight, and Flare Jeans- 12-18M to 18 (Regular, slim, and plus sizing varies between styles)
We say between with Gap because their sizing is... interesting when compared with other brands. In addition the regular retail price for jeans even for 12-18M sizing is a wallet screaming $29.99. Sales don't lower them much below the $23 mark either and for a spend thrift Mom, they're a huge no.
The Worst:
Gymboree- Bootcut Jeans- 4 to 12 (Regular, slim, and plus available)
Zero options in anything but a skinny for under size 4. Non-adjustable waistband in everything 4+. $16.99 on sale. $32.95 regular price. Ouch. They seriously cost more than Gap jeans? That's a wallet screamer. On the rare occasions they do have bootcuts available for Toddlers, the fit is horrendous.
**Post may be updated with more retailers at a later date.**