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Whats The Difference Between Size 6 and 6X?

If you have a 6-year-old daughter, then you might already know just how difficult it is to find properly fitted clothing. There seems to be too big of gaps between the sizes of clothing, or girls grow out of their size 6 clothing too quickly.

Growth spurts are hard to keep up with around this age. And if your daughter is more on the petite side, then it seems impossible to find clothes that actually fit according to what’s stated on the tag for 6-year-olds.

When you get to this specific age group buying clothing might start to feel even more confusing than it was when you were when buying smaller clothing sizes.

They throw in a size 6x after a size 6 in girls’ clothing, and you now find yourself here, trying to figure out what it all means.

It starts to get really tricky when none of the other sizes have a size “x” variation. Don’t worry, let’s go over what you need to know about buying the right size clothes for your 6-year-old girl.

In this article

Everything You Need To Know About Size 6x Girls Clothing

Some parents love shopping for girls’ clothes, while others would rather do anything in the world except having to go through the sizing concerns that come with kids’ clothes shopping.

The size 6x was created to make shopping a little bit easier for moms of 6-7-year-old girls.

A lot of girls go through a common growth spurt around this age, making it difficult to figure out if they fit in a size 6 or a size 7 – because both of these sizes don’t look right after your daughter grows an inch taller but not wider.

Size 6 is the regular size 6 clothing that you’d normally buy for any 6-year-old, and then a size 6x is like the half size up from a size 6.. 6x runs slightly bigger in the width, apparently many girls need this size when they have a growth spurt around the age of 6-years-old.

Cute stylish boy near grunge wall

There’s no size 6x in boy clothing

Boys don’t go through the same known growth spurt as girls do, that’s why clothing brands have made a point to make a size 6x just for girls.

Girls at the age of 6 will usually shoot up in height, causing them to outgrow the regular size 6, causing them to need a half size up – hence the size 6x.

While other girls will stay the shorter height of a ‘size 6’ and can wear a regular size 6 until they hit the big girl sizes and move onto a size 7.

The girls that sprout up aren’t quite big enough to fit the bigger size of a 7, but need something slightly bigger so they don’t look outgrown of the regular size 6.

Boys go through slightly different growth patterns than girls do, so they don’t need a size 6x.

Size 6x is an essential size because girls care more than boys about how their clothes fit

Girls, especially at the age of 6-years-old tend to care a lot about how they look, making it even more important to have properly fitted clothing.

If you’ve ever had a 6-year-old you know all too well what I mean when I say they care what they’re wearing.

It’s like all of a sudden they’re these little divas who have to have all their clothes fitting just right, be the right colors, and all the right styles – or else it’s an absolute no.

Size 6x makes it easy for parents to shop for their daughters who are extra picky about the way their clothes fit when they need an extra half size up from a regular size 6.

Boys on the other hand don’t seem to care much about what they wear, a pair of jeans and a baggy t-shirt will do just fine for them when they’re 6-years-old. They’ll play out in the mud and would wear their clothes for days on end if mom let them.

Girls will fit in size 6x when they are in between a size 6 and a size 7

Your daughter will likely be outspoken about the way she prefers her clothes to fit. So the time when your daughter could fit a size 6x will depend on if she likes her clothes to fit a bit baggy, or more fitted.

Be sure to try on any size 6x clothing you plan to buy before you go and buy clothes in this size. Girls who have just turned 6-years-old or are a bit petite might find a size 6x to be too baggy for their liking.

But girls who have recently gone through the growth spurt most 6-year-old girls do at some point halfway in-between age 6 and 7 will probably find a 6x to be a great fit.

portrait of two embracing cute little girls

What’s the main difference between size 6 and size 6x?

A size 6 comes directly after a size 5.

A size 6 will fit your child perfectly when she has the following measurements according to the US sizing chart; a weight between 47-53lbs has a waist the size of 22 inches, a chest that measures around 25 inches, and is between the height of 48-49inches.

Size 6x is intended to fit a girl who needs clothing about an inch bigger than a true size 6.

Once your daughter goes through the usual growth spurts that many girls do at the age of 6, she should be able to fit into a size 6x, which run for girls with roughly the following measurements; a weight between 54-58lbs, a height of about 50-51inches, a chest of around 26 inches, and a waist of around 23 inches.

These measurements conclude that the true difference between a size 6 and a size 6x is about 1 inch.

You can always grab a tape measure to see where your daughter is at before heading out to shop for clothes – what a great way to save on the time it takes to try on clothes.

Is size 6x so close to size 7 that it seems the same?

A lot of parents will say that size 6x is the same as size 7, while they might be (almost) right it’s not quite the same. Kids who fit in a size 6x better than a size 7 tend to have a longer lower torso than an upper one making it a good choice to settle for a size 6x.

You can always opt for a combo of the two sizes, like a size 7 in pants and a size 6x in tops.

Every child has a unique build in this aspect, so you should measure your daughter’s height, the width of her torso, chest size, and her weight to have an accurate idea of where she falls on the sizing guide.

When you’re ordering online, be sure to check each continents sizing guide

Every continent seems to have slightly different measurements for their sizing guide, so be sure you look at where the clothing is being shipped from if you order clothing online.

If you’re in the US, the size 6x could be a lot different than it would be in another continent according to their sizing standard.

It seems like e-commerce products have slight sizing variations for the product made in different continents.

Depending on where the product is made, you might end up with a product that has a completely different fit, even though you ordered what seemed to be the same size.

You can’t use the same sizing chart that you typically use in the US for other countries.

Woman holding measuring tape

When you shop online, taking measurements of your child beforehand is helpful

The world of shopping seems to be transitioning over to the online world rapidly, which makes it confusing when it comes to sizing. It’ll cut out the time you spend on potentially returning clothes if you ensure they will fit properly before making the purchase.

The nice thing about shopping for clothes online is that most companies offer sizing guides within their company for you to look at. These sizing guides usually include exact measurements of the body size the clothes will fit on.

Countless times I have purchased clothing online that ends up not fitting my children properly. This next go around for shopping, I am measuring each one of my kids to make sure we don’t waste any time or money on improperly fitted clothing.

Ordering your kid’s clothing right at home can be incredibly convenient, but it’s only truly convenient when you buy the right sizes. Measure the height, width, waist, and chest size, as well as the weight your child is before shopping online.

A Campaign Has Been Started To Shift Clothing Makers Around the World Toward Using One Metric System

As a result of the numerous discrepancies in the various clothing size systems around the world, a campaign has been started toward moving the entire global industry into using just one standard metric measurement system.

This would bring all e-commerce and brick and mortar stores to use the same measurements when they make clothes to sell.

It’s difficult to come up with a neutral sizing system

In order to come up with a neutral sizing guide, a 3D scan of real measurements in various countries would have to be performed. This is quite difficult to do, therefore the campaign has not yet been successful.

But, the UK and Europe are ahead of the game in a sense, they have invested in a whole committee that specializes in standardized clothing sizes.

Understanding the sizing system that most manufacturers use is important

First of all, the sizing system that most manufacturers use refers to a system of very important measurements pertaining to the body dimensions of real people.

The sizing system has been around for a long time, it was founded on using the traditional confection system that utilizes circumference.

Mother shopping for childrens clothes

The NATO Sizing System Is Another Commonly Used Size System for Making Clothing

The global market sector for clothing is greatly improved by the global trade of clothing products. Global trade is encouraged and possible because of the NATO sizing system.

Size standardization has allowed us to use easy-to-read labels on clothing that everyone around the world can understand.

How was the NATO sizing system created?

A study was done that included 561 different people, accumulating measurements of human body dimensions through actual scientific data, otherwise known as anthropometric data.

This created the foundation of the standard sizing chart everyone uses today.

The NATO size chart uses both length and circumference, making the efficiency of this system very high compared to other sizing systems used around the world – NATO has an all-time high-efficiency rate of %82.4.

There is a problem if every clothing company were to adopt the NATO sizing system

One problem that this system brings about if every company in the clothing industry were to adopt this sizing system is the way it would affect the natural demographics in various parts of the world during the switch.

The customer base for your company is naturally going to take a huge shift.

If your customer base takes a shift, then you have to adjust which products are in demand, the rate of sales, and various other details within your business that you already established in the earlier establishment of your company.

Most companies would agree it’s not worth taking on the risk, internal change, and switching product design on customers who already like the clothing they have bought in the past.

If you make this much change in your company you could also lose the trust of current customers who see no problem with the size of the clothing they buy.

Clothing Companies Use Sizing to Make Their Products Stand Out Against Others in the Market

One thing that sets apart one clothing company from the next is their sizing, clothes may shrink due to using a certain material – therefore each size is unique within specific companies.

Mother shopping for childrens clothes1

As a customer, you will want to make informed decisions about sizing, and the materials used in the clothing you buy.

Materials like cotton are known to shrink, which is unfortunate, cotton is the most commonly recommended material to use for children’s clothing.

Cotton clothing changes in size depending on your washing habits as well as the detergent used.

To keep cotton clothing the size you bought it, you must always use warm water temperatures and low agitation during the wash – which isn’t ideal for most washing scenarios.

Households basically have to count on their cotton clothing to shrink upon the first few washes.

Counting on the clothing to shrink and change, results in clothes not fitting properly soon after you buy them, this could change your entire perspective on a certain clothing company.

Clothing Companies Around the Globe Have Been Forced To Remove Hazardous Chemicals From Kids Clothing

Years ago when chemicals in kids’ clothing were becoming more popular to use, kids were ending up with allergic reactions to the harsh chemicals that were added upon clothing production.

Harsh chemicals can become quite reactive when they come into contact with the skin of children as it is quite delicate to begin with.

With this as a result of using harsh chemicals, global clothing companies have been strongly encouraged or even forced to remove all harmful chemicals used in production.

Eco-friendly clothing is becoming more popular amongst parenting communities

Within the last 5 years, eco-friendly children’s clothing has taken on a huge uprise in popularity. More parents are becoming health conscious about what type of materials they clothe their kids in.

It’s a true blessing to have companies now take to using health-conscious practices when they make kids’ clothing.

Organic and hemp are taking the stage as the best eco-friendly materials used in clothing, cute clothing made out of these materials are easy to come by these days.

Look at a retailer near you or online for an eco-friendly version of the clothing styles you like to buy for your kids. They aren’t priced too high for the average person to invest in either, earth-friendly clothing is possible for every household.

Beautiful woman chooses child rompers

So many customers support the uprise of using good ethos during the production of clothing, by investing in eco-friendly clothing.

The best way to purchase clothing that supports earth-friendly ways is to invest in clothing that is made at a ‘fair trade’ market that sources quality organic materials to use – when you buy clothing look for the Fair Trade label.

The most popular eco-friendly kids clothing brands

It seems consumers are beginning to recognize more overtime the effects of which products we choose to have on the environment. The terms; environmentally friendly, eco-friendly, and organic are beginning to spread like wildfire in the clothing industry.

The clothing that people wear has an impact on the eco-system in a positive or negative way depending on what materials are used for their clothes.

There are plenty of eco-friendly clothing brands popping up every day. Thankfully these companies make way for people to pursue their passion for style while remaining kind to the environment. Some of the most well-known eco-friendly kids clothing companies are;

The Honest Company

Founded by the actress Jessica Alba, her eco-friendly kids’ clothing and diaper line is top-notch. They will give you and your baby a happy start to your diapering years. They are truly harmful ingredient free and made with a sustainable ethos in mind.

Art and Eden

The earth-friendly company that has a mission to honor the artist in children, and create eco-friendly clothing while doing so – that’s Art and Eden.

They collaborate with various artists around the world, which results in unique kids’ clothing. If you’re looking for organic clothing that keeps your daughter happy with her style – check out Art and Eden’s clothing.

Oobi

Oobi is one of the most well known Australian kids clothing brands, that your kid is sure to love! They design their clothing to be fashionable and fun at the same time.

Oobi is a bright-minded company that makes their clothing so that active kids are comfortable in them moving around to play, dance, or do any sport that they love.

Urban Baby Company

Designed right in Denver Colorado, Urban Baby Company is a sustainable brand of kids clothing that offers clothes for parents who care about the material on their babies’ bodies.

They source quality materials for their clothing from domestic and international reputable sources.

Urban Baby Co, was founded in 2012 and has since been one of the hippest ever since. They stand behind giving families the gift of organic quality clothing for children of all ages.

Shop hanger with new girls dresses in fashion store

Estella

Estella offers limited edition clothing for babies and kids, they want children to wear the best clothing day in and day out. When you dress your daughter in Estella clothing, you don’t have to wait for a special occasion to have her wear fancy outfits.

Estella offers upbeat beautiful clothing any time of the year, the best part is that their clothing is designed to be of heirloom quality. You are truly getting one of a kind designs when you invest in Estella clothing.

Monica and Andy

The softest clothing on our eco-friendly kids’ clothing list is Monica and Andy, they stand behind comfortable clothes for your little one to wear.

You don’t have to search any further because this clothing brand is made affordable for your family, and they pride their ultra-soft, yet durable outfits.

Monica and Andy are made for the everyday life that kids go through, from playtime, school, to bedtime. This company truly knows that quality materials matter for your baby’s skin, they make clothes for sensitive baby skin.

You can even embroider a specialized message into the clothing you order from Monica and Andy to make your child’s clothing truly unique.

The Bright Company

If you’re looking for bright and simple clothing, then look no further than The Bright Company. The Bright company is one of the most colorful clothing brands on our list, which makes clothing for kids that love to express their favorite color.

I remember as a kid the colors of my outfits mattered, my favorite shirt was a lime green turtleneck. The Bright Company truly understands how important colors are in a child’s wardrobe, they design simple clothes that say a lot about who your child is.

Why Should Parents buy eco-friendly kids’ clothing?

You might be wondering why you should invest in eco-friendly clothing in the first place. What’s the difference between a regular piece of clothing and the ones that are sold at Fair Trade Markets?

Some of the reasons to purchase organic or eco-friendly kids’ clothing are more obvious than others, but, you can decide if any of the reasons seem important to you personally before making the decision.

You can avoid harmful chemicals that are in most kids clothing

Mainstream clothing has chemicals added in at every chance companies can, in fact, the industry standards had to take a massive step up a few years back and regulate the harmful chemicals even more.

children's clothes in a department store

Chemicals and heavy metals are put in kids’ clothing, for instance, cadmium and lye are in dyes that offer a variety of colors in kids’ clothing.

Then there are flame retardants put in kids pajamas, these chemicals are so harsh on the eco-system that they are actually banned in some countries. These chemicals pollute the water streams.

Since adding chemicals is all a part of the clothing making process, companies have to actively phase out harmful chemicals when making their clothing for better practices if they want to have the certified organic or Fair Trade badge of honor.

When clothing undergoes bleaching, dyeing, finishing, or scouring – chemicals are added to the mix to make the ‘magic’ happen. But companies can choose to replace these chemicals with non-harmful options at a sustainable cost.

It makes sense to support companies that are supporting the environment and your child’s body since these chemicals are harmful to both.

Cancer rates are higher than ever as a result of all the chemicals humans come into contact with during childhood.

Natural fabrics take less time to decompose once they’re no longer useful

Once your child is all done wearing the clothes you’ve bought, it has to go somewhere right? Waste fabrics can either go to the recycle bin, or to the dump to decompose.

One of these two things takes place after a customer is done wearing their clothes. Which makes eco-friendly clothing a better option for the earth.

Fabrics like cotton or linen don’t take nearly as long to decompose as fabrics like polyester, acrylic, or nylon – fabrics that are not earth-friendly take a whopping 20 – 200 years to decompose.

Clothing should be used while it’s still useful, so once it’s gone through the length of it’s life, it’s great to know the fabric will be disposed of in a way that leaves this earth a better place for future generations.

Clothing that is sustainable is more kid-friendly especially for kids with sensitive skin

Children have sensitive skin, and a lot of times the chemicals added to kids’ clothing can cause skin conditions like eczema and itchy-dry skin, so it’s a better option to choose organic fabrics.

Fabrics like organic cotton are naturally antibacterial and offer UV protection naturally.

Newborn beach seaside background

A lot of other eco-friendly fabrics are naturally moisture-wicking, antibacterial, and have other beneficial properties you would like to keep your child healthy and safe.

Aside from the harmful chemicals left out of organic fabrics, the fit and style of eco-friendly clothing is usually a bit looser fitted which provides more comfort for children during wear.

A looser fit allows children’s skin to breathe properly, eco-friendly clothing is more friendly for children overall – especially kids with sensitive skin.

In Conclusion

How your daughters’ clothes fit most likely matters to her, 6-year-old girls are especially picky about the way their clothes fit in my experience.

The reason that size 6x exists is to give girls in this age range properly fitted clothing since they usually go through a growth spurt around this age that puts them at an awkward size of not quite fitting a size 7 but outgrowing a regular size 6.

Most girls commonly have a growth spurt shortly after turning 6-years-old. When this happens your child will probably grow a few inches and be unable to fit in a regular size 6, thus needing to upgrade to a size 6x.

When this growth spurt happens girls usually fit in a size 6x perfectly, which is about an inch bigger than a regular US size 6.

To make sure your daughter truly fits a size 6x, take measurements of your daughter around this age to see exactly which size of clothing fits her properly.

Don’t forget to have fun when you go shopping with your daughter.

Sources

5 Reasons Why You Should Buy Eco-friendly Kids’ Clothing

Difference Between 6 and 6x – Mummy’s Busy World

They’re Putting What Baby Clothes – Green America

Monica and Andy Website

Urban Baby Co.