You might remember Zach's recent growth spurt. Tops, bottoms, and shoes were all one size bigger all at the same time. As I have been collecting the clothing extras I have noticed a problem. There are some things that no company or almost no company makes in his new sizing.
It started with a robe. The last time he had a top growth spurt I didn't bother getting a robe. He never wore the old one at home. Just for pajama day in January at school. It wasn't worth the money. But, Zach had a cold and asked me to get him a rob that would fit.
On top he is 18/20 now. Almost everywhere robes stopped at size 14. Suddenly, I remembered another reason why we didn't get a robe the last time. But, L.L. Bean had a suitable robe in his size. We checked a lot of places looking to give Zach choices. It came down to no robe or this robe. It's a good thing he likes this robe.
Zach's hands have also grown. Recently, I started ordering him from Columbia the good gloves for winter. When he was younger, I got 8 pairs of the $8 Target gloves and one pair of waterproof gloves for being in the snow outside. This time, I went with 3 pairs of regular gloves and the one waterproof pair.
I got the Youth Large gloves. It's what the sizing chart said to get him. The waterproof pair in large fits him perfectly. But, the regular gloves run smaller then the sizing chart and are too small for him. So I returned them and went to order a bigger size. No youth XL or men's XS. So I ordered a men's S and am crossing my fingers and praying that it fits! Why three pairs? One for his backpack, one for him to wear, then put back in a pre-determined place outside his room where I can see it. One for him to wear while waiting for a new spare to arrive after he looses the first pair. Although, he didn't loose any last winter so I have hope and confidence.
He had the same problem searching for a spirit wear shirt. Spirit wear is clothing with our town's name on it. We get him a set as he grows. Usually, they sell them through school and we get what he needs there. But, a favorite town store had better options then what the school was selling. So, Zach had some "new spirit" fun getting what he liked. He had to get the adult small long sleeve shirt. Because they don't make youth XL or adult XS.
Logic states that kids XL and adult XS aren't made when a product won't sell enough of them to make money from offering in those sizes. I minored in business management in college. I understand that. It hadn't been an issue with that many things.
It becomes a choice between too big and too small. He already has the youth L versions. They don't fit. But, a men's S is definitely too big. I am probably doing what most parent's do. "They'll grow into it" and get the bigger set. It's complicated with gloves. But, if I didn't find that robe a men's S would have been the backup plan.
It's odd that companies wouldn't make a profit from that kids XL/adult XS size range. Doesn't almost everyone hit that range at some point? It's not like looking for something in a unique color. To me, this is probably a missed profit opportunity. Even if they offer few color options, that size is needed.
Zach is wearing that spirit wear long sleeve shirt today. Frighteningly, it's pretty close to a good fit. It comes down to just a little bit past his fingers. He's going to have it for a while! Another reminder of how close my baby is to adult sizes for everything!
He's still in a medium pants. I don't know if they do this for bottoms. Probably not. For tops, you can say "they'll grow into it". But, bottoms have to fit or the kid will trip all of the time. My final clothing need for him is slippers. A youth 5. That is another hard one to find. But, I understand that one. These kids are too old for the character slippers but less interested in the boring adult-like slippers. But, Zach has asked for plain blue slippers. Wish me luck!!!
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