During the early months the most important factors are warmth, comfort and hygiene. At this age, infants are basically feeding, sleeping and eliminating. Hence the clothes must be comfortable. One can stitch or select clothes which open down the front or have large openings to avoid slipping the dress over their heads. Also, draw strings, especially around the neck, should be avoided as these can get entangled. The fasteners used can be placed so that they can be reached easily and they can be of a kind that will not injure the baby in any way. It is advisable to have plenty of garments that need to be changed often like shirts and diapers. Physically at this stage, the baby’s skin is very delicate and sensitive and thus would demand very soft, light-in-weight and simple-to-put-on and take-off clothes.

This is the stage when the child begins to show signs of independence. It is very interesting to see babies pull themselves up to the furniture to stand, trying to reach out to objects, to sit or stand on their own. You will notice that all these activities would need clothes for protection and comfort. Apparel for children in this age group has to be such that it allows for free movement. Thus, the basic clothing needs are loose and non-interfering garments. For clothes to fit loosely, both knitted and bias cut garments are most suited as they stretch allowing for some growth.

If you observe a few children in this age-group and you will notice that they are very active. They need freedom to play indoors as well as outdoors. They want to do most of the things themselves. Now as they start walking, they want to reach out for anything they see. At this stage shoes or footwear become a very essential part of the clothing. The correct fit in shoes and socks for a small child is essential for foot comfort and health.

Health and comfort of preschoolers is an important consideration in selection of their clothes. Clothes have to be selected suitably for these children as they play a lot, and the garments should be able to withstand the wear and tear that the average child will give them. Clothes should be made from light weight materials that are pre-shrunk and are easy to care. Cotton is the most suitable fabric for preschoolers. It is hygienic, absorbent and easy to launder.

As children enter elementary school, their clothing begins to play a vital role in social interactions. Kids start to develop opinions about styles and comfort, and they often want to wear what their peers consider fashionable. Thus, parents need to balance comfort and peer acceptance when selecting their child's clothing. It’s important to consider fabrics that allow for movement and absorb sweat, such as cotton or moisture-wicking materials.

During adolescent years, growth is very rapid and different parts of the body grow at different rates. In early adolescence, a minimal wardrobe is advisable at any one time, since the child is going to outgrow the clothes very quickly. The qualities in clothes that are most important to teenagers are fit and style. They may not be guided by the quality of fabric or its construction.