Finding kids tops that are long enough

anne

All through my childhood I found tops were too short in the body and often too long in the arms, owing to my long torso.

Now my daughter is having the same issue.

I am pretty keen on her not wearing leggings as pants, but she has quite a few pairs now and it is getting harder and harder to keep her adequately covered because she is a tall girl (taking after DH, not me) and growing fast. A tunic top I got her last year now does not completely cover her bottom. I went to (Australian) Target and Best and Less looking for some long tops - just something like a long sleeved Tee - and found nothing. We did get her a banded cap sleeve Tee shirt but even that is not going to be adequate for very long.

She does have a couple of sweaterdress which she wears with leggings and over a tee but sometimes she just wants one layer on top.

How strict are you with kids and leggings coverage? And is anyone else facing this problem?

14 years ago

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10 replies

Latest reply was from Isabel

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

How old is she Anne? We sometimes have problems with shirt length. I've had to start buying my dd tops in the Jr. section for the length- but she's 11. For her- as long as the booty is covered I let her wear it with leggings.

14 years ago

anne

Veteran

She has just turned seven. I buy at least an 8, sometimes a 10 for her (not that I buy much for her anyway, she mostly has handmedowns and gifts and wears uniform at school)

14 years ago

Dusty

(website)

Active Member

Hmm.... most of DD's long tops come from Gymboree, but you don't have that over there (although I think I've heard rumors that it's coming) and you are getting close to the upper end of that anyway. My kids both have long torsos and I often end up having to size up a little even if i just want a top to wear with jean.

Hmm.....other ideas to wear with leggings - knit dresses (like Hanna Andersson) or just use a regular tee and slip a denim skirt on over the leggings.

I let DD wear leggings as pants now, but she's two. Plus, she's still in diapers - I think she'll have to have her tushy covered if she's wearing leggings once she moves to undies.

14 years ago

RoseandJoan

Veteran

I here you Anne, my two year old is wearing age 5 clothes because of length issues, the UK is a cooler climate so I normally throw a denim skirt over the leggings. The girls both have jeggings and the extra coverage allows for shorter tops, could jeggings be an option?

14 years ago

Louise

Veteran

I see a lot of kids at work in leggings and a short top and my head is screaming "but they are leggings and need a skirt or dress over them!" so I think even kids should not wear leggings as pants x

14 years ago

Inge

(website)

Moderator

Yes, I was also thinking tunics and dresses over the leggings instead of regular length tops? A denim skirt is always cute too, but perhaps it's too hot for that right now?

14 years ago

Megan

Active Member

Anne, Jay Jays are now making XXS tops in long length....might they be an option?

Otherwise, try Supre for their XXS sizes or Ice for their XS sizes. I know both of those stores are a bit teeny bopper for your 7 year old but they do regular tees and tops.

I actually got a top that is long enough for me to wear with leggings in the kids section at Kmart the other day. It's red and grey stripes and really cute.

14 years ago

anne

Veteran

Thanks ladies- some great tips here

Dusty - yes she has some knit dresses and has been using them like this

All those suggesting denim skirts - this is a great idea and makes me wonder where her denim skirt has gone - she used to have one, in fact she used to have several but I may have culled them. She has a red corduroy skirt she sometimes puts on when I insist on bottom coverage and I must remember it

Julie - yes I am loving jeggings too and have bought her 2 pairs. I agree that with kids jeggings means they can wear normal length tops

Inge - it isn't really hot, since it is winter here. but DD hates wearing any more layers than she has if she get hot from running around.
I have been looking out for tunics and found little - I am sure there were more around last year. Part of the problem is that for her birthday she got 2 striped pairs of leggings so she'll need plain tops to wear them with (not say shirt tunics - but she doesn't like wovens much anyway)

Megan - thanks for those shopping tips! Great to hear some someone who is petite like you. We don't have any of those shops in the town I live in but 50km away there is a Kmart and Supre is in the city where I may visit in the school holidays so they are definite options.

Thanks again!

14 years ago

Theresa

(website)

Veteran

Yep Anne another one with that problem here too!

G is fine - she's got long arms, but otherwise clothes seem to fit her well (she's actually more round with shorter legs so length isn't an issue except for her arms).

But, E, well she is not at all tall for her age, but she is very slim, so anything that fits around her is absolutely too short.

I've gone the denim skirt over the top route for her purely because I haven't found anything that suitable either.

Another downside to her size is that she is a bit too old for a lot of the clothes that do fit around her, so its hard to find things that aren't too babyish!

14 years ago

Isabel

Veteran

WOW, we really are all the same in the end ! I have the EXACT same problem. And I am pretty strict ( my daughter is 7 ). I am strict because so many girls in her class where micro - shorts and skirts that I I don't want to make an exception. I tell her these are just our values, but other people have their own values - so that she doesn't judge.

I also do the skirts with the tights and the top. The other think I do, because my mom sews, is I make tops into 3/4 length sleeves so that it looks purposeful or I just roll up the sleeve. Sometimes, my mom sews in a ruffle or "layer" at the bottom to make it longer.

Good Luck

14 years ago

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