All parents want to dress their children in clothes that look cute but feel comfortable. But with so many options available in the market today, it's hard to know which fabric will suit your baby. It's also challenging to determine which materials are safe and healthy. To help you out, we’ve listed a few tips below on choosing the best fabrics for different seasons for kids:

Importance of choosing the right fabric

Fabric is an important factor to consider when purchasing clothes for your child. As a parent, you will want the best for your child, including clothing that will keep them comfortable and healthy. Whether knit, woven, or blended - each fabric has a specific function to offer: some insulate better than others; some allow for excellent breathability; some are stretchable while others are more rigid. The tricky part is knowing which fabric you must use through the changing seasons to keep your little one safe and happy. Below are our recommendations on the best fabrics for each season to help you keep your child comfortable all year long. Read on!

WINTER

It can be tricky to dress your little one for the winter season, because too many layers can restrict their movement, while too little may fail to keep them warm. The clothes you choose must keep your child warm without sacrificing comfort or looking bulky. We've identified three fabrics that will help you ace winter fashion for kids.

1. Fleece

This fabric is light and warm, making it an excellent choice for winter wear. It's also machine friendly, so you can easily put your kid's clothes in the washer.

2. Wool & Cashmere

Wool and cashmere are natural fabrics known for their durability but also appreciated for being soft against the skin, making them a great choice for winter clothing. These fabrics keep your child cosy while still being gentle on the skin. The best part is that they look luxurious.

3. Polyester

Polyester is a synthetic fabric that contains a blend of polyester fibres and other materials such as cotton or wool. Polyester is often used in sportswear because it's lightweight, breathable and quick-drying. It's also wrinkle-resistant and machine-washable.

Go ahead and explore warm blazers, jackest, hats, gloves, sweatshirts,  hoodies, quilted skirts or overcoat dresses to help your little one win all her winter looks.

SUMMER

Summer is a fun season to be out. It's warm and kids can play outdoors to their heart’s content. But sometimes, it may get too warm and uncomfortable. That's why it makes sense to stay cool when the temperature rises and cotton is an excellent fabric choice to wear for the summer season.

Cotton

Cotton is a breathable, soft and flexible fabric that absorbs sweat and moisture from the body, keeping temperatures balanced at a comfortable level.

Cotton fabric will stay cool against your child's skin by allowing her body heat to escape through evaporation from the fabric, helping her feel relaxed and playful. 

Summer clothes are made from cotton and include various options like shorts, half-sleeved T-shirts for boys or tops for girls and even capris too. They’re comfortable and stylish and you can explore our entire summer range at our website or at a store near you.

SPRING

Spring is a great time to spend outdoors with friends. The weather isn't too hot or cold, so you must choose light and airy clothes. Cotton, linen, cotton blends and soft denim keep your kids comfortable while they enjoy their outdoor playtime! Here are some fabrics to pick for springtime fun

1. Cotton

This fabric works well during the spring season because it is breathable and dries out quickly, even if the child gets wet playing outside. It is also comfortable and soft, making it a good choice for your child's springtime wardrobe.

2. Linen

Linen is an excellent option for spring weather because it's lightweight and breathable. It is a durable and stain-resistant natural fibre made from the flax plant. It's perfect for outerwear during springtime because it dries quickly

3. Cotton blends

Cotton-blend fabrics consist of at least 50% cotton fabric along with other fibres like polyester or rayon. The blend helps the material to breathe, resist wrinkling and retain its shape. Blends are a good choice as they have the durability of cotton with some stretch and also provide comfort. Clothes made of cotton blends are often worn during springtime because they keep one warm without causing sweating problems.

4. Soft denim

Soft denim is another great option for spring weather because it's lightweight and durable. Soft denim is made up of cotton, polyester and elastane, which make it stretchable and allows one to move around freely without worrying about damaging the fabric.

A spring wardrobe must include denim shirt or dress, denim pants, light-coloured shirts (including T-shirts), shorts and pants.

MONSOON

During the rainy season, use fabrics that are breathable and absorbent. Also, use quick-drying material that only requires a little time to dry after being washed or exposed to rain.

For rainy-season, we recommend these fabrics:

1. Rayon

Rayon is a breathable fabric, making it ideal for hot weather. It's soft and smooth to the touch and proves comfortable during monsoon season. Wearing rayon T-shirts or shorts will prevent your child from getting soaking wet when playing outdoors in the rain.

2. Thin Cotton or Linen

Wear lightweight cotton or linen clothes during the monsoon season. Avoid wearing chiffon, silk and other extremely light fabrics.

3. Bamboo

Bamboo fabric is ideal for the monsoon season because it's lightweight, easy to wear and quick-drying. It absorbs water quickly without feeling heavy on the body and will be just as comfortable when you run into a downpour! Bamboo fabric combines two excellent properties - it dries quickly and absorbs quickly too.

Monsoon clothing typically includes lightweight cotton T-shirts and pants, long shirts with full sleeves for boys. For baby girls, you can buy a floral cotton dress or frock that's easy to slip on and off, or pants with elastic waistbands to help keep out rainwater and prevent them from getting stuck in your shoes.

AUTUMN

Autumn is a season that brings its own set of challenges as it marks the transition between summer and winter. This weather can be unpredictable, so it’s better to use light jackets or coats along with any stole to cover your child during autumn.

We have made a list of fabrics that will help you keep your child warm and comfortable during autumn:

1. Cotton

Cotton fabric is breathable and lightweight, which makes it ideal for use in the fall season. It is also easy to wash and dry, so you don’t have to worry about repeated washes dulling the fabric. In addition, there are many different colours and designs available in cotton. You can choose between short-sleeved shirts and long-sleeved ones or T-shirts and shirt dresses.

2. Wool

Wool is another great fabric choice for fall. It's warm, soft and breathable.

You can find many types of wool, such as cashmere, merino wool or alpaca. Try pairing them with cotton to prevent the fabric from feeling too heavy on your child's body.

A lightweight wool sweater paired with jeans or joggers or pyjamas or suede leggings will keep your child warm and allow him to move about comfortably.

What to Look for, When Buying Fabric for Kids

When selecting a fabric for your kids' clothes, you must consider the following factors:

• Softness and breathability - The fabric should be soft to touch so that it does not irritate your child's skin or cause itching.
• Comfort - The fabric should be comfortable to wear without irritating your child’s skin or causing hot spots on their body parts such as on their elbows or knees. The fabric should also be flexible and shouldn’t be too tight around their wrists or ankles, which might cause pain when they move around during playtime.
• Maintenance - The fabric should be easy to wash and maintain so that you do not have to spend too much time cleaning and drying it after they get stained.
• Durability - It makes sense to buy clothes that will last a longer time than those that will fade or start ripping after a few washes.
• Skin-friendly - The fabric should be skin-friendly so your kid does not develop allergies or rashes.

Using the wrong fabric on a child's skin can cause problems:

Allergic reactions to clothing are often caused by the formaldehyde finishing resins, dyes and glues used in processing fabric. The resulting condition is known as 'textile sensitivity or contact dermatitis'. (1), (2)

Some of the most common symptoms include:

• red, itchy and inflamed skin
• redness in the face or neck area (especially around the collar)
• itching and swelling of the hands, arms and legs
• Dry, flaky skin that can become red and irritated with bumps or blisters

If your child develops any of these symptoms after coming into contact with a particular fabric, you should immediately consult a doctor.

Precautions for Clothing and Fabric Allergies in Children

If your child has a fabric allergy, you must avoid all clothes that contain that particular substance. Sometimes, it can be challenging to eliminate fabric allergies because textiles may contain unknown chemicals and dyes. Here are some ways to reduce the chances of a fabric allergy:

• Wear clothes made of natural fabrics like cotton and linen. (3)
• Wear light-colored, dye-free clothes.
• Wear loose-fitted, light clothes when it's hot and humid.
• Do not wear clothes that are treated with chemicals to make them wrinkle-resistant or dirt repellent.
• Avoid clothes that are marked to be washed separately as this suggests dyes might bleed from the fabric.
• Do not use fabric softeners, as they may contain ingredients that cause allergic reactions.
• If your child is sensitive to certain textiles or clothing, consult an allergist. 

Clothing and fabric labels that help you pick safe products for your children

When you buy clothes or fabric for your children, look for these labels to ensure they are free of harmful chemicals: If a garment has one of the following labels, you can rest assured that it's safe!

Hypoallergenic - this means that the product is less likely to cause an allergic reaction in sensitive people.

Anti-allergenic - this means the product is unlikely to cause an allergic reaction and is safe for people with allergies.

Allergy-Free - this means that the product has been tested for allergic reactions and is free of harmful chemicals.

Made Without Dyes - this means that the garment is free of harmful dyes, which may get absorbed through the skin and cause allergic reactions.

Non Toxic - this means that the product does not contain harmful chemicals, such as phthalates or lead.

Organic - this means that the fabric uses materials grown without pesticides or synthetic fertilisers. 

Choosing clothes that use organic materials whenever possible is best since these items will be free of harmful chemicals or dyes that may irritate your skin over time.

Conclusion

We know how daunting choosing the right fabrics for your kids' clothes can get, especially when so many options are available in the market today. We hope you found our tips helpful and feel empowered to make the right choice of fabric for your baby's wardrobe.

FAQs

1. What properties must you look out for in a fabric for kids?

The right fabric for kids should be soft, smooth and comfortable. It should also absorb moisture well, so that your child doesn't get too hot or cold while wearing it.

2. What are the cons of using the wrong fabric for kids?

Fabrics that are too thick or heavy can make your child feel hot, especially during the summer. Likewise, too-thin fabrics won't keep them warm enough when the weather turns cold. Both these conditions will make your kids cranky, irritable and at worst, may make them sick.

3. Which is the most common fabric used in children's clothes?

The most common fabric used to make children's clothes is cotton. It is soft, comfortable and absorbs moisture well. 

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