What To Look For
Most adults can fondly recall their mother yelling at them as they ran out the door, "Don't forget your jacket!" The same is true for modern kids as well. But with the plethora of kids jackets available on the market, it can be difficult to choose. The first delineating decision needs to be the child's typical use for the jacket--to stay warm, dry or both. Knowing that makes it easier to find the perfect jacket for your child's needs.
Common Pitfalls
While it's relatively easy to find a good kid's jacket, many parents don't find the best jacket because they shop as if they're shopping for themselves. You can buy a jacket that isn't very flexible; while a specialty jacket like a wool pea coat or fashionable raincoat is a great fit for most adults who have several jackets that they wear from year to year, kids grow too quickly for most specialty jackets to be the best choice. Instead, it's often better to buy a jacket that allows your child to wear it regularly in many types of weather.
Where To Buy
Like many children's items, you can find kids' jackets in just about any clothing store with a children's section. You can pick up a jacket at a discount store like Wal-Mart or Target, but check the quality of the jacket carefully before you purchase it to ensure it's going to withstand the wear and tear you know is coming. Many specialty stores like Gymboree and Gap often have jackets, as do sporting goods stores like Dick's Sporting Goods.
Cost
Kids jackets vary widely in price. If you're looking at an infant or toddler's jacket, you can pay about $8 to$30 at a discount store for a lightweight jacket and go up to $80 or more for a heavier jacket at a specialty store. For older children, these price ranges can easily almost double, with most lightweight discount jackets starting around $20.
Insider Tips
Ensure you check any drawstrings on a jacket before your child wears it. The Consumer Product Safety Commission has issued guidelines for strings on children's outerwear as there have been tragic consequences when a child has a drawstring stuck on playground equipment.
Children's clothing always seems to be in store about 8-12 weeks ahead of the season. Make sure you don't wait until the middle of the season to pick up a needed jacket, else you'll likely instead find next season's offerings.
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