Standard 16Size Categories for

Children, Men, and Women

Infants’ & Children’s Wear Lines

• Pre-fall (“Back to School”) is one of the three main production seasons for manufacturers– Fashion producers

present new styles, fabrics, and colors

• Spring/summer

• Winter/holiday

Trends in Infants’ & Children’s Wear

• Styles designed for older age groups have begun to migrate to the children’s market.

• Licensing of children’s apparel has become big business.– Disney– Mary Kate & Ashley

• Safety trends also affect production– Fabrics used in the children’s apparel industry must

meet flame-retardant standards.– Clothing must not cause tripping or catch on objects.

                                                

Classifications for Infant’s & Children’s Wear

• Clothing is organized by gender and sizes.– Infant

– Toddler

– Young children (sizes 2-6X)

– Girls (sizes 6-14)

– Boys (sizes 6-20)

Infant Size Categoriesbased on a relationship of infant height and weight

• Age-Related Clothing Sizes– 3 months– 6 months– 12 months– 18 months– 24 months– 36 months– 48 months

• General Clothing Sizes– Newborn – Small– Medium – Large– Extra Large

Infant clothing should be selected

by height and weight rather than

by age.

• Toddler Size Categories

– 1T (25 lb)

– 2Y (27 lb)

– 3T (33 lb)

– 4T (38 lb)

Toddlers are young children, usually between 1 and 2½ years of age, who are actively moving or walking.

• Clothing sized by trunk (body) length.– 2 (20’ Waist)– 3 (20’ ½ Waist)– 4 (21’ ¼ Waist)– 5 (22’ Waist)– 6 (22’ ½ Waist)– 6X (23’ Waist)

Preschoolers are children between the ages of 2½ and 5 years.

• Represents the largest share of the apparel industry

• Industry manufactures new lines for five different seasons each year

• Retail life of a line is approximately ten weeks

Women’s Wear

Classifications for Women’s Wear• Sportswear

separates– Tops

– Bottoms

– Sports attire

• Dresses– One- or two-piece

– From casual to dressy

• Evening and bridal – Cocktail dresses

– Wedding gowns

– Other dressy/formal attire

• Maternity

• Outerwear– Coats

– Raincoats

• Suits– Indoor jackets with

pants or skirts

• Active wear– Dancewear

– Jogging suits

• Swimwear andbeachwear

• Intimate apparel– Foundations

– Lingerie

– Sleepwear

– Loungewear

• Accessories– Scarves

– Gloves

– Handbags

– Belts

– Hosiery

– Hats

– Jewelry

– Umbrellas

• Footwear• Miscellaneous

apparel– Uniforms

– Aprons

– Smocks

Men’s Wear

• Fashion marketers present new lines twice a year: fall/winter and spring/summer– Fall/winter lines are most important

• Different seasons determine fabric weight• Sportswear market has become style conscious,

resulting in apparel makers showing new sportswear lines four times a year

Classifications for Men’s Wear• Furnishings

– Dress shirts– Neckwear– Underwear– Hats– Socks– Sleepwear– Robes

• Work clothing• Footwear

• Sportswear– Sports shirts– Knot shirts– Sweaters– Shorts– Slacks– Exercise wear– Swim trunks

• Heavy outerwear– Parkas– Ski pants– Jackets

• Miscellaneous apparel– Rainwear– Uniforms– Caps

• Tailored apparel– Suits– Overcoats– Sports coats– Dress trousers