Children’s Clothes

Until the twentieth century, children were often thought of, treated and dressed like miniature adults. Today, children’s clothing is special. It is designed just for them and does not look like adult clothing. Children’s clothing is a separate division in the clothes industry.

Children’s clothes are sized according to age body size. Size groupings include babies’, toddlers’, and children’s.

Clothes for babies are usually sized either by body weight or by age in months. Body weight ranges from 8 to 10 pounds (3.9 to 4.6 kilograms) or from 12-18 pounds (5.5 to 8.5 kilograms). Age in months ranges from 6 to 12 months, or from 12 to 18 months.

Toddler sizes follow the same pattern although they may also have numbered sizes. A toddler size 2, for example, is for a child 18 to 24 months old.

Preschool children clothes are often sized by age, ranging from 4 to 8. Sizes for school-age children run from 8 through 18. They are based on body size and weight.

It is necessary to buy children’s and babies’ clothes slightly larger. They grow fast, and buying large ones means the clothes can be worn a longer time. Parents should avoid buying clothes for babies with buttons or trims that can be pulled out. Infants pull, chew, and tug at their clothes. Therefore clothes with trims and fancy fasteners are not practical and may even be dangerous. It is better to look for children’s clothes made of sturdy materials especially if you are buying play clothes, such as easy-care cotton blends and knits. Reinforced stitching and fabric at the seams and knees is helpful. Grippers are the easiest fasteners for small children to handle themselves – and small children take pride in what they can do for themselves. If a garment has buttons they must be large enough for a small child to handle.

Children’s clothes should be of bright colours and prints, made of natural fabrics, such as cotton, linen, wool and silk or natural blends. Some more sophisticated clothes are planned for older children with a fashion appeal.

III Make up a plan of the text.

IV Translate the paragraph in italics in a written form.

V Questions for discussion:

1. Why wasn’t children’s clothing a separate group of clothes last century?

2. How is it divided nowadays?

3. What do numbered sizes mean?

4. Why is it better to buy larger sizes for children?

5. What should parents avoid buying?

6. What fabrics are preferable?

7. Why is it important to buy children’s clothes made of natural fibres?

8. What is admitted for older children?

TEXT C

I Mind the following words and word-combinations:

1. millennium - тисячоліття

2. an option – вибір, альтернатива

3. to fit – підходити

4. to adjust – пристосовувати

5. a torso – торс, тулуб

6. to benefit – мати вигоду

7. to suffer from – страждати

II Listen to the text and be ready to answer the questions:

1. Why is sewing at home good if you have a non-standard type of figure?

2. How can you dictate your own style to commercial products?

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