Children's winter clothes - Features and choosing the right size

Padded garments are an important part of children's wardrobes, especially here in the north. Outdoor play, playing in the snow, sledding and building snowmen make the dark winter a little more fun, and during the long, cold months, high-quality padded garments and protective accessories are a cornerstone of any wardrobe.

In this article, we cover frequently asked questions about padded garments, such as: 

• How should padded garments be cared for
• What materials are padded garments made from
• What is the difference between Gugguu's different padded garments
• Layering clothes under padded garments
• How to choose the right size for padded garments

Washing and caring for padded garments

Careful garment maintenance helps keep them in use for as long as possible. Since unnecessary washing should be avoided, individual stains can be wiped with a damp cloth or washed out by hand in a basin by wetting only the stained area. This removes the dirt while also saving the garment. When a thorough wash is needed, you can safely wash Gugguu's padded garments at home in the washing machine. 

Washing Gugguu's padded garments

Padded garments should be washed with plenty of room, meaning you should wash them on their own. Remove any faux-fur trims from the garment before washing. Wash the garment right side out; do not turn it inside out. Close the zip and fasten the buttons. Use a 40°C wash cycle. Use only laundry detergent, so do not use fabric softener or other additives, and make sure that the laundry detergent does not contain bleaching agents. When the wash is complete, lay the garment flat to dry, for example on a drying rack, so that it can dry in a well-ventilated manner. 

What materials are padded garments made from

Gugguu's padded garments have three layers: outer material, wadding layer and lining. 

Outer material

The outer material of padded garments is responsible for the garment's breathability and protection from wind and water. We have carefully selected the material and its supplier - it is a durable option offered by a Chinese supplier. The fabric is made from dense Oxford material (300D x 300D). In addition, the fabric is laminated with a TPU coating. The fabric's water resistance is achieved with the environmentally friendly Bionic-Finish® Eco finish. 

Other features:

• Water column: < 10,000 mm
  • Water column (or hydrostatic head) indicates the level of water resistance. This value indicates good water resistance. A 10,000 mm water column means that the product can withstand water pressure equivalent to 10 metres without water penetrating the fabric - so it is truly good and can withstand continuous rain well.
• Breathability: 7 000 g/m²/24h, meaning good breathability
• Reflectors: The outerwear features reflective details.

Padding layer

The padded garment uses 100% recycled polyester. The padding weight is 200g/m^2. Padding is an excellent insulator because it is very lightweight and thin, yet effective. As a result, the padded garment is not heavy or uncomfortable, but pleasant to wear. The purpose of the padding is to keep body heat inside the padded garment while ensuring that the garment does not feel stuffy.

Lining

In addition to its beautiful appearance, the polyester lining in Gugguu's padded garments is also functional. The lining feels comfortable even against more sensitive skin.

In addition to the outer material, padding layer, and lining, the padded garments have a removable faux fur trim. Its materials are 52% Acrylic, 35% Modacrylic, 13% Polyester. The faux fur trim can be freshened up by brushing it.

Gugguu's padded garment selection

Gugguu's selection includes various padded garments for children of different ages and needs. The materials are the same in all padded products, but there are differences in the technical features.

C’moon Padded Overall

The original Gugguu Padded Overall is suitable for babies and is available in sizes from 62 cm up to 74 cm. The C’moon Padded Overall differs from the North Padded Overall intended for older toddlers in a few technical features: the C’moon Padded Overall has soft, wide cuffs, no foot loops on the legs, and untaped seams.

C’moon Padded Jacket

The C’moon Padded Jacket is available in sizes from 80 cm up to 152 cm. This jacket has taped seams, large pockets, and soft cuffs on the sleeves. 

North Padded Overall

The North Padded Overall is available in sizes 80-110 cm. The overall for toddlers and young children is more technical compared to the C’moon Padded Overall for babies. The North Padded Overall has taped seams, elastic cuffs at the legs and sleeves, and elastic foot loops on the legs.  

Print Padded Overall

Print Padded Overall is essentially a patterned version of the North Padded Overall, meaning the overall has taped seams, elastic cuffs at the legs and sleeves, and elastic foot loops on the legs. The difference, however, is the size range - the Print Padded Overall is available starting from size 62 cm. Unlike the larger sizes, sizes 62-74 cm have untaped seams.

Print Padded Jacket

Print Padded Jacket is available in sizes from 80 cm to 152 cm. The jacket has side pockets and elasticated cuffs. The seams are taped.  

Print Padded trousers

Gugguu's Print Winter Pants are beautiful patterned padded trousers. The trousers have detachable suspenders, as well as black reinforced fabric at the knees and back to emphasize practicality.

Padded trousers

Gugguu's padded trousers are a popular addition to outerwear. The trousers have detachable suspenders, as well as black reinforced fabric at the knees and back to emphasize practicality.

Print Padded mittens

Print Winter Glowes padded mittens are available in sizes 1-3 years and 4-6 years. The smaller size has a side zipper to make dressing easier. The mittens have a soft, furry teddy lining.

Padded mittens
Winter Glowes padded mittens are available in sizes 1-3 years and 4-6 years. The smaller size has a side zipper to make dressing easier. The mittens have a soft, furry teddy lining.

Using padded clothing

Weather conditions affect whether you should put on lighter transitional-season outerwear or proper padded clothing. You can easily layer clothes under your outerwear by following a few simple guidelines - layering helps transitional-season outerwear last longer and makes padded clothing suitable even for severe frosts. There are no official guidelines on when to switch from transitional-season clothing to padded clothing. Usually, padded clothing is taken into use when the outdoor temperature drops to zero or below. 

Layering clothes in winter

Layering clothes is the best way to stay warm in the cool autumn weather and winter frosts. However, when layering, it is worth keeping a few important guidelines in mind to make sure it works - simply putting any clothes on top of one another is not enough.

Typically, there are three layers: the base layer, mid layer and shell layer. 

Base layer

The base layer consists of fabrics worn next to the skin. This means underwear, socks and, if needed, a base-layer set. Ideal materials for the base layer include wool, merino wool and silk, as well as thin garments made from these materials. These materials are breathable and, most importantly, wick moisture away from the skin, keeping you feeling dry and therefore warmer. Synthetic base layers can also be used. Cotton, on the other hand, should be avoided, as it does not wick moisture away from the skin but absorbs it, making you feel colder. 

Mid layer

The purpose of the mid layer is to insulate the wearer from the outdoor air and bind as much air as possible into the garment's structure. The material of the mid layer should also be chosen so that it wicks moisture away from itself, because if sweat remains damp in the layer, the garment will no longer protect against the cold as effectively. Cotton should therefore also be avoided in the mid layer, in favor of wool, merino wool or, for example, fleece. 

Outer shell

In winter, a padded jacket or snowsuit functions as the outer shell, while in spring and autumn, a transitional jacket or snowsuit does. The purpose of the outer shell is to protect against wind and water and retain the air stored by the mid layer. The outer shell should be loose enough to accommodate the base layer and mid layer underneath. A hood completes the outer shell - together with a proper beanie, it also makes the head area windproof and waterproof. 

Accessories

The head, neck and hands should also be protected from the cold. Merino wool is an excellent choice for winter because, as mentioned above, cotton does not move moisture away from the skin but absorbs it, whereas merino wool moves moisture away from the skin and thus keeps it dry. In most cases, a beanie, scarf and mittens are sufficient as accessories, but especially in extremely cold or windy weather, protection can be increased by using, for example, a hood.

How to dress in extremely cold weather?

If temperatures drop considerably below freezing, an extra base layer can be added in addition to normal layering. The layer closest to the skin usually plays the most important role, and doubling the base layer helps trap more warm air in the fabric and thus provides additional insulation. 

Choose the right size for padded outerwear

Gugguu's padded outerwear has a loose fit, so the size should generally be chosen according to the child's height. Since babies and toddlers grow quickly, remember to allow for the child's growth during winter - so if you buy padded outerwear for a small child early in the autumn, choose the next size up from the child's current clothing size. 

Check these things when trying on padded outerwear:

1. When trying on a snowsuit, check whether it pulls at the back or crotch when the child squats - if the snowsuit feels tight at the back or crotch, it is worth choosing the next size up.
2. When trying on a jacket or snowsuit, ask the child to raise their arms up toward the ceiling. If the size is right, the wrists will remain hidden under the garment.
3. The legs of the snowsuit should reach over the shoes, but not all the way to the ground when the shoes are on. 
4. Will there be room for layers underneath? When trying on a padded jacket or snowsuit without layers underneath, there should be about a fist's worth of extra room.