Shopping for kids’ clothing can be so frustrating! And I’m not even talking about the arguments over the appropriateness of buying tank tops for a four-year-old in November in New Jersey, or why buying white anything for anyone still in the Spilling Stage is a very bad idea.
I’m talking about the huge disparity among manufacturers in terms of sizing clothes. 
My seven-year-old is small and slender. For school this year, I bought him size 8 Slim pants. They just fit in the waist; I was this close to returning them for 8 Regular, but I was afraid that those would fall off.
He needed some new jeans a few weeks ago, and I was at the Old Navy website getting some jeans for his older brother, so I figured I’d piggyback the two orders.
Let me tell you, buying jeans or pants for a teenage boy is easy. Just measure and shop. That’s all there is to it! Pants are sized by waist and inseam, so there are no tricks involved here.
Not so with the little kids (or with girls–that’s a whole different story right there!) Size 8 Slim at the school-uniform company and size 8 Slim at Old Navy are very, very different. Old Navy is a lot more generous with the fabric–especially around the waist.
After my younger son put on his new jeans and they immediately fell to the floor, I checked the label on the jeans, the package, and my receipt to make sure I’d ordered the right size. Yes–8 Slim. I don’t get it. Luckily, I didn’t have to return those jeans. I found a hidden “magic waistband” inside when I checked for the size label. The waistband had an elastic insert that was adjustable through the use of cleverly-placed buttons. Nice!
If it were up to this mom, all pants would be sized the same way teen boys’ and men’s pants are: waist and inseam. All this guesswork makes me crazy!
COUPON TIME
20% off orders of $75 or more at The Children’s Place 
Valid online only. At checkout, enter web coupon code HA299.
Valid through: November 16, 2009
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TODAY ONLY!
$20 off orders of $50 or more at dELiA*s 
Use promo code 20DEL50 at checkout.
Valid through: November 12, 2009.
This coupon is valid for one-time catalog or web purchases only. This coupon is not redeemable for cash, nor is it valid towards any previously purchased merchandise or the purchase of merchandise certificates, gift cards, clearance, or red line items.
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