Kids grow fast - and their clothes can barely keep up

You buy your baby the cutest little outfit, and two months later, it’s already too small. The pants are too short, the onesie won’t snap closed - and that price tag starts to sting when you realize it has only been worn twice or even less.

In the first year especially, babies grow like crazy. On average, they shoot up about 25 centimetres - which means a new clothing size every 2 to 3 months. Not great for your wallet… and not exactly sustainable, either.

How many sizes does a baby go through in a year?

If you're a first-time parent, you might be surprised at how quickly kids outgrow their clothes. Don’t worry - you’re not alone. Here’s a quick size breakdown for you:

• Size 50/56 - usually fits for the first few weeks
• Size 62 - around month 2
• Size 68 - from the 3rd or 4th months
• Size 74 - by about 6 months
• Size 80 - toward the end of the first year

Of course, every baby is different. But one thing’s for sure: they grow. Fast. And without warning.

Shopping for kids - often harder than it sounds

Whether you’re standing in a store or scrolling online, it can be surprisingly difficult to find kids’ clothes that are cute, practical, and affordable.

There’s the budget items with monster trucks and glitter cats (usually made of polyester that barely survives a few washes), or the high-end designer baby wear that makes you feel like you’re dressing a toddler for Fashion Week.

And then there is the gorgeous organic and GOTS certified clothes - rainbows, leaves, foxes, and minimalistic prints - but 60 francs for a T-shirt? Really? For two months of wear?

But the worst are seasonal items. Swimsuits, rash guards, and swim shorts - all super useful for summer, but only worn for a couple of weeks. And cool sets can easily cost 100 to 150 francs - for something that might be worn three times in holidays? Ouch.

Let’s be honest: parenting is already a lot. Shopping clothes shouldn’t add even more to the stress.

Grow-with-me kids clothes - clever or overrated?

More and more brands are creating “grow-with-me” styles. These are pieces designed to fit longer, thanks to clever tailoring:

• Pants with adjustable waistbands
• Tops with fold-over cuffs
• Dresses that go from size 74 to 86 with a few quick snaps

And honestly - they’re great! Especially for basics, where a perfect fit isn’t the most important. But even the stretchiest clothes stop fitting eventually. And for items like jackets, or hats, the concept has its limits.

So “grow-with-me" clothes are surely a great addition to the closet, but they can’t replace everything.

Why secondhand is often the easier (and smarter) option

When it comes to baby and toddler clothing, secondhand just makes sense. Most items have only been worn a handful of times, and often come in matching bundles. And the prices? Way lower than in stores.

It’s also the more sustainable choice. A single T-shirt uses about 2,500 liters of water to produce. Buying secondhand saves money and resources, and keeps perfectly good clothes from ending up in the bin.

Things to keep in mind when buying secondhand

Secondhand shopping is great, but here are a few quick tips to make it even better:

• Check the condition - Look out for stains, tears, or stretched seams
• Choose durable, comfortable materials - Like cotton or wool
• Buy a little bigger - They’ll grow into it - promise!
• Look for bundles - Sets save time, money, and shipping costs

Where to buy & sell pre-loved children's clothes

On many secondhand platforms, it’s hard to know what you’re really getting. Photos can be misleading, descriptions are often vague or missing entirely - and you’re left wondering if it will really fit.

Circlin takes a different approach: Instead of just static images, sellers upload short videos of their items. This means you can see how the clothes move, how they really look, and what shape they’re in - before you buy.

Circlin also automatically detects the item type, size, brand, colour, and condition - and creates a clear, consistent description for each listing. That means fewer surprises, more trust when you shop.

And because it’s so quick and easy for sellers to upload items, Circlin is full of well-presented listings - no endless scrolling through blurry photos and incomplete info. Just real, trustworthy secondhand shopping.

Kids grow - and your wardrobe strategy can too

Whether you go for grow-with-me clothing, secondhand, or a mix of both - you’re making a smart choice. It doesn’t have to be new to be good. And it’s okay if it’s not perfect, as long as it works for your everyday life.

With a bit of planning, the right platform, and a more relaxed mindset, kids’ clothing can go from being a headache to a simple part of a sustainable, conscious family lifestyle.

Circlin is currently in development - an app designed to make secondhand shopping easier, more transparent, and better for everyone.

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