Why are children’s clothes so expensive?
Last week I read a comment from Mrs. Melinda on Quora, complaining about the unbelievable prices of children’s clothes in recent years. Below that comment, there are many comments expressing interest in this issue. That prompted me to do some research at some famous fashion brands, and I was really surprised at how ridiculously expensive they were.
What questions should I ask about this problem? Logically, the smaller the product, the lower the price, because less material is used and less sewn. But in reality it is not like that. I’ve seen children’s suits cost as much as adult versions. Yeah, they’re adorable, but does that make sense when children grow up so quickly?
So why are children’s clothes expensive? Follow the article below now!
1. The production process takes a long time
Basically, the cost of a set of clothes is made up of 3 things: the material, the time of the seam (the salary of the seamstress) and the additional materials. We often think that the smaller the product size, the lower the price because they use less materials and fewer seams. But in reality things are not that simple.
For example, when producing a children’s bodysuit, our factory takes even longer than adult outfits. Stitching & embroidering small details such as sleeves, shirt patterns, and inner seams requires a lot of operations and requires high precision.
In addition, the production process of children’s clothing is also greatly affected by safety regulations, from designing styles, choosing fabric materials, threads and decorative motifs,… all must be complied with safety standards for children. At our factory, the quality of children’s apparel is inspected more times than any other item before being packaged and shipped for sale.
All this shows that producing a piece of children’s clothing often takes much longer than we think. For this reason, it’s not surprising that the clothes are more expensive for kids.
Read More: Critical Differences Between 3 Styles: Sleepsuit, Romper vs Bodysuit
Read More: How to Choose Safe Clothes for Your Little Baby
2. Producing children’s clothing requires high-quality materials
Every manufacturer understands that children’s skin is delicate and sensitive so it can easily cause problems with just a small scratch. Therefore, if they do not focus on investing in high-quality materials, their products will not be chosen. Parents want to give their children the best, and ensure their child’s health 100%. They will not spend money on cheap products that can cause them problems. In fact, if we look at the quality of children’s clothing over the past 10 years, we will easily see a positive change in quality.
Some commonly used materials when producing children’s clothes include Cotton (100%), Silk, Linen,… They are all high-quality fabrics and the price is not cheap. According to BabyCenter, fabric prices account for up to 40% of the selling price of a typical children’s clothing product. This explains why children’s clothes are so expensive.
Read More: The Best Infant Fabrics and What to Avoid
3. Strict standards for children’s clothing manufacturers
To become a reputable children’s clothing manufacturer in the market, it is certain that companies must meet the most important industry standards. We are talking about child safety standards such as (ISO) 9001, OEKO-TEX by ECO PASSPORT, or sustainability standards such as GOTS, WRAP, SA8000, Bluesign,… If If you want to export products to countries like the US, Canada, Germany, Japan, etc., children’s clothing manufacturers must do even better.
Meeting the requirements of each certificate requires each manufacturer to spend a significant budget. And this also means that the cost of each set of children’s clothes also increases.
4. Babies are the apple of the parents’ eye
Finally, the biggest and most important reason has to do with our parenthood nature. As a mother, I just want to “give my cute little angel the best”. Remember how happy and joyful when “I held his hand the first time”. I have many friends who can’t buy a single set of clothes for a whole year but don’t hesitate to spend up to $300 per month to buy clothes for her 10-month-old baby.
If you are a parent, you certainly understand this psychology. We often go crazy and treat our children like princesses and princes. I may be ugly, but I want my children to always be gorgeous and adorable. Unfortunately, manufacturers also understand this psychology of ours, and there are many brands that do not hesitate to increase their prices.
One fine day, you can see a hand smocked dress with a retail price of $350, don’t be too surprised. Each product has its own customer base, and such expensive products still make many upper-class parents passionate and want to buy them for their children. Manufacturers have found a way to make us spend more money while still making us happier.
Read More: Trendy and Safe Newborn Winter Outfits: What Parents Are Looking for in 2025
5. Baby Tested, Mother Approved
Baby clothes, whether purchased online or in-store, are expensive due to their high production costs. As a baby’s skin is very soft and delicate, it needs clothing that meets high standards of care and protection. This vulnerability requires the best protection, and often, expensive clothing is the only type that can offer this. Parents are also very cautious about their babies’ clothing, wanting them to wear the softest and safest garments. Many high-quality fabrics, such as organic cotton, are not cheap. Organic materials tend to be free from harmful chemicals, sourced from sustainable, eco-friendly farms, and are often the result of ethical production practices.
6. Supply and Demand
The classic law of supply and demand also affects the pricing of baby clothes. Baby clothing is not produced in the same quantities as adult clothes. Although there is a higher demand for adult clothing, baby clothes are produced in smaller quantities, which drives the price up. The scarcity of supply combined with continuous demand from parents creates upward pressure on prices.
7. Costly Cuteness
The cuteness factor is another reason why baby clothes are so expensive. Adorable little shirts with bows or ruffled dresses often make it hard for parents to resist. Even when baby clothes are pricey, many parents, especially first-time moms and dads, are willing to splurge because they want their children to wear cute outfits. The desire to dress children fashionably and stylishly sometimes outweighs practicality, which continues to drive the baby clothing market. Industry studies predict significant growth in the global baby apparel market, partly due to rising demand for branded apparel and increasing preference for fashionable clothing.
8. The Emotional Connection of Parenthood
Parenthood is a source of boundless joy, and for many parents, shopping for baby clothes brings great satisfaction. Imagine a mother walking into a store, heading straight to the baby section with miniature shirts, tiny shoes, and cute little hats. Everything looks endearing, and she reaches out to feel the fabric of an adorable onesie. Its softness and comfort make her check the price tag, only to be shocked by how something so tiny can cost so much. Despite this, many parents are willing to spend because shopping for their child is both an emotional experience and a source of gratification. Manufacturers are aware of this emotional connection and price baby clothes accordingly.
Read More: Top 9 Best Wholesale Smocked Clothing Suppliers In The US
9. Advice for parents
Even though we know we don’t regret spending money when buying clothes for our children, remember that the most important thing is to keep our children comfortable, healthy and safe. Babies don’t know much about what you’re dressing them in, as long as they feel comfortable wearing it. Every child is adorable and cute in their parents’ eyes no matter what they wear! Finally, children grow up very quickly, so spending too much money on clothes that will only be worn once is a waste.
K–Embroidery is a highly experienced and professional manufacturer of hand-smoked and embroidered children’s clothing with over 25 years of expertise. Based in No.169, Nguyen Ngoc Vu Street, Cau Giay district, Ha Noi, Viet Nam, our specialization is creating high-end boutique-quality clothing exclusively designed for babies and exporting all over the world.
If you are looking for Hand Smocked Dress, Hand Smocked Romper, Hand Smocked Bodysuits,… products to equip your business store, K-Embroidery will be an address not to be missed.
Additionally, there are several children’s clothing stores that offer such brilliant clothes at cheap prices with discounts. You can check their information through the article below: Top 10 Smocking Shop In UK for Finest Essentials
Contact K-Embroidery manager to buy high quality, cute and safe hand-sewn products for children via WhatsApp: +84855555961 to get the best price and order now!
Contact:
- Address: 5th Floor, Building No. 169 Nguyen Ngoc Vu, Cau Giay District, Hanoi
- Hotline: +84855555961
- Website: https://k-embroidery.com/
- WhatsApp: +84855555961
