When winter is around the corner, you’ll undoubtedly see your favourite department store’s racks start to fill up with a wide selection of winter coats for your kids. If you live in a cold climate, a winter jacket is pretty much a given for each member of your family. The question is, how can you find the best coat for your each of your little ones? Let’s take a look at some of the guidelines you can use when searching for the right winter coat.
These days, most of the jackets available for kids are perfectly suited for the kinds of activities most kids do in the winter: playing in the snow, sledding, skiing, etc. Look for a jacket that features a warmth factor but still allows your child to as freely as possible. Don’t let your child be the kid in that famous movie scene where he can’t put his arms down, and his mother says, “You can put your arms down when you get to school.” Your child should be able to easily raise his arms over his head without his wrists being exposed or his tummy being exposed. A winter jacket is no good to a child if he can’t wear it to comfortably enjoy all of the fun stuff that winter has to offer!
Another important consideration is whether or not the jacket is washable. Kids get messy when they play outdoors, and wintertime is no exception. Be sure that you can easily throw the jacket in the washing machine and dryer; don’t buy a jacket for your kid that has to be dry cleaned or that affordable jacket could end up being much more expensive than you think.
When it comes to the actual look of the jacket, this is a chance to have some fun! Let your child choose one that expresses their personal style. There are all kinds of choices out there, from subdued colours like black and navy to wild colours and designs that have a distinct “kids only” vibe. Now is not the time to be conservative (unless that’s what your child prefers). Bright colours will bring some fun into those gloomy winter days.
Incidentally, if you fancy yourself a bit of an amateur photographer, bear in mind that bright colours and patterns look best against the snow. Black will look harsh and white will wash your child out (not to mention the fact that white coats get dirty very easily). For the best outdoor winter photos, dress your child in brightly coloured outerwear.
A final word of advice: Always have your child try on the jacket before you buy it. Don’t assume that a size 8 in one brand is the same as a size 8 in another. And when they go to try on the coat, be sure they wear a sweater or something else similar to what they would actually wear under the jacket to ensure you are getting an accurate fit.