The most common question we receive isn't about the material or the color, but about the size. And rightly so — a child who wore size 86 last month might need a 92 today, and the same number at two different brands may not mean the same thing.
In this guide, we explain how the sizing system actually works, how to measure your child in two minutes, and when it’s worth buying a size up.
Size is not age — size is height
This is the most important thing to know. In the European system, the number on the label indicates the child's height in centimeters. A size 92 means that the clothing is intended for a child approximately 92 cm tall — regardless of whether they are two or three years old.
The age you see next to the size is just an orientation, calculated based on an average. Children grow at very different rates, so two children of the same age can easily differ by two sizes. That is why you should always start with the centimeters, and only then look at the age.
How to measure your child
You only need a measuring tape and a few minutes.
- Height — the child stands upright against a wall, without shoes, heels together. Mark the top of the head and measure down to the floor. For babies who aren't standing yet: lay the baby on a flat surface and measure from the top of the head to the heel.
- Chest circumference — the tape goes horizontally over the widest part of the chest, under the armpits. Do not pull tight.
- Waist circumference — at the narrowest part of the torso, where the child naturally bends.
- Leg length — from the waist to the ankle, along the outside of the leg.
Measure over thin clothing or directly on the skin. Over a tracksuit or a sweater, you will get a few extra centimeters.
Size chart
The numbers in the right column are approximate — use them only as a reference, and make your decision based on the measured height.
Babies
| Size | Height | Approx. age |
|---|---|---|
| 50 | 46–50 cm | newborn |
| 56 | 51–56 cm | 0–2 months |
| 62 | 57–62 cm | 2–4 months |
| 68 | 63–68 cm | 4–6 months |
| 74 | 69–74 cm | 6–9 months |
| 80 | 75–80 cm | 9–12 months |
| 86 | 81–86 cm | 12–18 months |
| 92 | 87–92 cm | 18–24 months |
Children
| Size | Height | Approx. age |
|---|---|---|
| 98 | 93–98 cm | 2–3 years |
| 104 | 99–104 cm | 3–4 years |
| 110 | 105–110 cm | 4–5 years |
| 116 | 111–116 cm | 5–6 years |
| 122 | 117–122 cm | 6–7 years |
| 128 | 123–128 cm | 7–8 years |
| 134 | 129–134 cm | 8–9 years |
| 140 | 135–140 cm | 9–10 years |
| 146 | 141–146 cm | 10–11 years |
| 152 | 147–152 cm | 11–12 years |
| 158 | 153–158 cm | 12–13 years |
| 164 | 159–164 cm | 13–14 years |
When to buy a size up
Not always — clothing that is too big bothers a child just as much as clothing that is too tight. However, in these situations, it makes sense:
- The child is between two sizes. If they are 89 cm tall, choose 92 instead of 86.
- Winter jackets and snowsuits. Layers go underneath them, so they need space.
- You are buying out of season. The child will not wear the summer dress you are buying in February until several months later.
- Cotton without elastane. Natural materials can shrink slightly after the first wash.
The opposite applies to formal wear and bodysuits. A formal baptism or birthday outfit should fit now, as it is worn once or twice. A bodysuit that is too big will bunch up under other clothes and won't hold the diaper in place.
Why brands differ
The height system is universal, but the cut is not. Some brands sew narrower, some wider, and the sleeve and leg lengths also differ at the same declared size.
That is why you should check the description and size chart for that specific item on every product page. If the description lists the chest circumference or length, that figure is more reliable than the size label itself.
Footwear: measure the foot, not the age
The same principle applies to footwear, only you measure the foot.
- Place a sheet of paper against a wall, the child stands with their heel against the wall, with their full weight on the foot.
- Mark the tip of the longest toe and measure the distance from the edge of the paper to the mark.
- Add 0.5 to 1 cm of space for growth and the natural spreading of the foot when walking.
- Measure both feet and use the longer one — they are rarely completely the same.
- Measure in the afternoon. Feet swell slightly during the day.
For first steps, avoid footwear "for growth" with too much extra room. A child just learning to walk needs footwear that holds their foot, not something that slips.
If you are in doubt
Come to our store in Petrinja, Trg dr. Franje Tuđmana 2, and try it on. We are open Monday to Friday from 9 am to 1 pm and from 2 pm to 7 pm, Saturdays from 9 am to 1 pm.
You can also ask us before ordering — let us know the child's height and the item you are interested in at info@saramondo.com or +385 99 383 99 87, and we will check the fit and suggest the size.
You can view the exchange and return terms in our return policy.
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