How Do You Buy Kids' Clothes as a Gift When You Don't Know Their Size?

Short answer: if you can ask the parent, ask. If you cannot, size by the child's current height rather than their age, pick a style with a bit of room built in, and buy from a shop with a clear return window so the parent can swap without stress. For kids past their first birthday, going one size up is usually safer than one size down.

Ask the parent first, even if you want it to be a surprise

Parents generally know what their kid fits in right now, and most are happy to give you the size or a screenshot of a label they trust. If it needs to stay a surprise, a co-conspirator like a grandparent or partner can pass the size along without giving the gift away.

When that is not possible, work from what you do know: the child's current height, and the age band the parent talks about.

Use height as the primary signal, not just age

Kids grow at very different speeds through the toddler and early school years, so a 3-year-old can wear anything from a 2-3 to a 4-5 depending on their build. Height is a more reliable input than age.

Our own size guide lists the four core sizes against a target height:

• Size 2-3: around 90cm
• Size 3-4: around 100cm
• Size 4-5: around 110cm
• Size 5-6: around 120cm

The guide adds chest, waist, and hip measurements alongside each height for parents who want to check against a garment the child already fits in well.

If you know roughly how tall the child is, pick the size whose target height is closest. If you are between two, go with the taller one for anything they will grow into over a season.

When sizing up is safer, and when it is not

For most gifts, a size up gives the child longer wear and covers a growth spurt. A relaxed-cut long sleeve top or a pair of jorts with an adjustable waist both handle a bit of extra room without looking off.

The exception is anything that needs to fit closely to work: a party outfit for a specific date, or a size the parent has already told you is "just fitting" right now. In those cases, buy the current size and let them return and reorder later if it is already too small by delivery.

Pick styles that forgive an imperfect guess

Some pieces are more gift-safe than others because their shape absorbs a size discrepancy without looking wrong:

• Long sleeve tops with a relaxed body sit fine when they are a touch big and still work when the child grows into them.
• Jorts and cargo shorts with a drawstring waist can be cinched down if they are loose on the day.
• Oversized outerwear (a jumper, a hoodie) is meant to be roomy anyway.

Pieces to be more careful with: fitted dresses or anything sized "slim". Ask the parent before buying these blind.

Cover your bases before you check out

Even with the best guess, the size might not land. A few things to check on any shop before you buy:

• Return window. Saint Toba accepts returns within 30 days of purchase, provided the item is unworn, unwashed, and has all tags attached. The parent can start the return by filling out the feedback form included with the order. Full detail is in our refund policy.
• Exchanges. We do not offer direct exchanges. A parent who needs a different size returns the piece and places a new order. Good to know before you gift, so the parent is not surprised.
• Return shipping. Return shipping is paid by the customer, so factor that in if you think the odds of a swap are high.
• Gift note. Many shops let you leave a note at checkout so the parent knows who the gift is from and has your details for a thank-you.

If you still want a hedge, pick a piece that grows with them

Saint Toba is a small kidswear label designed in Bali and shipped from Melbourne. Our AW26 Capsule One runs across six age bands, from 12-18 months up to 6-7 years, so most children in that range will find a size they can wear this season and next.

The Camo Jorts in Green have a drawstring waist that adjusts down if they are a touch big, and long sleeve tops in the same collection have a relaxed cut through the body. Any AW26 order over $150 also ships free within Australia, which takes the sting out of adding a spare accessory to cover a size hedge.

For related reading on sizing between brands, our earlier post asks why kids' clothes fit differently between brands, which is often the real reason a gift did not quite land.

FAQ

What size should I buy if I only know the child's age?

Use the child's age band as a starting point, then check it against height if you can. In Saint Toba's size guide, size 2-3 targets around 90cm, size 3-4 around 100cm, size 4-5 around 110cm, and size 5-6 around 120cm. If you have no height, buy the size closest to the parent's usual label and let them return if it does not fit.

Is it better to size up or size down for a kids' clothing gift?

For gifts, size up is usually the safer bet. Children past their first birthday tend to grow into a slightly larger size within a season, and forgiving styles like relaxed tops and drawstring shorts still look right when they are a little big. Size down only when the parent has told you the current size is already snug.

What if the size is wrong when the gift arrives?

The parent can return the piece within 30 days of purchase, provided it is unworn, unwashed, and has all tags attached. Saint Toba does not offer direct exchanges, so they will need to return the item and place a new order in the correct size. Return shipping is paid by the customer.

What are the safest kids' clothing gifts if I really cannot guess the size?

Accessories and outerwear meant to run oversized are the most forgiving. Fitted items like structured trousers or a party dress are the least forgiving. When in doubt, pair a small clothing piece with a non-sized gift so something in the box will land.