Small Waisted Pants?

Updated on July 15, 2010
L.F. asks from Oak Park, IL
27 answers

I know he didn't get this from me, but my 14 month old son has a very small waist and we are having problems finding pants that will stay up in his size. We almost need to keep him in 6/12 month sizing but the "capri" look isn't so fashionable (regardless of what GQ claims). So, I am looking for suggestions for brands that tend to have smaller waists. Many have suggested adjustable waistbands, but have not been able to locate a brand that makes them in infant sizes. All of those that I have found start with 2T.

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J.M.

answers from Chicago on

I have the same problem with my 20 month old. I tried the Old Navy adjustable waist pants and the smallest it would go was still too loose. So I will try some of the other brands. We got a pair of 24 month old Children's Place jeans as hand-me-downs and the waist fits great. Good luck.

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M.P.

answers from Chicago on

I have totally the opposite problem. I have an 18 month old who is pretty chunky, which is so cute. Jeans are impossible though, she needs a 3T in the waist but then they are way too long. Sorry I don't have any advice but it's good to know that other moms have problems finding pants to fit their kids.

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M.G.

answers from Chicago on

My kids have small waists too. Adjustable waist pants are the ONLY way. You can get them at Old Navy, JCPenny, Kohl and more.... Levi's have a lot of them. They have straps that you adjust from the inside, they are great

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Y.

answers from Chicago on

My son was the same way! I swear by Carter's which can be found in a lot of places. I know that Farm & Fleet carries them as well as Kohl's. There is also an outlet store at the Outlet Mall in North Aurora(I-88 and Farnsworth). There used to be one at the outlet mall in Huntley but I do not know if it is still there since I have not been there for years.

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A.F.

answers from Chicago on

What a relief to see these responses.....I thought I was the only one out there...my son is turning one and still wearing Old Navy 3-6 month pants! HA.
I found that the Circo? brand at target runs pretty true to size and that after a few washes they fit great.

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T.K.

answers from Chicago on

Wow, it is nice to hear that I am not alone, my son (18 mnt) is tall and needs an 18 month lenght but a 12 month waist. Right now I am keeping him in 12 months because some brands run longer. I am taking down all of these suggestion, sorry that I don't have one for you as well.

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M.P.

answers from Chicago on

THe same thing happened with my son. I bought a leather woven belt (which was meant for a 2-3 year old) so that way you could size it to fit. He's now five and he can still wear the belt, so it's not a bad investment.

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M.H.

answers from Chicago on

My son is the exact same way. We've had so many problems finding jeans for him. the best place we've found is the Childrens Place. They have adjustable waist pants and I think they run a little small to begin with. They're great and not too expensive. I think you can normally get deals that ar like 2 for 22. I think $11 is reasonable plus he'll be able to fit into them for a long time.

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L.V.

answers from Chicago on

Hi L.,
I still have this problem with my 2 1/2 yr. old, luckily now I am able to find Levi's in a slim but I don't know if Levi's make smaller sizes like you would be looking for. We put him in overalls a lot and sweatpants with drawstings. I think that Children's Place has the adjustable waistband on their jeans, but even when I put them on my son now they look like a sack tied on him!
Good Luck!

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G.T.

answers from Chicago on

I have the same problem with my little guy which is probably why he has so many overall sets (it's just easier). The brands that I find work best are the in between sizes that say 12-18 months insted of just one or the other. Gymboree, Old Navy, Baby Gap are really good. Also, the Buster Brown line 18month size (I think it's at Carson Pirie Scott) fits him well too. Also, First Impressions tend to fit him well too. Hope that helps.

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C.M.

answers from Chicago on

Gold Rush makes very small waisted pants for boys. Certain styles by Tea Collection also can run small waisted (not their Journey pant, this runs bigger). You may have to spend a little more on his pants and shop at boutiques as I find the big retailers (Gap, Gymboree, etc..) run large. Good luck!

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C.

answers from Chicago on

I was going to say the same thing Carolyn said. The adjustable waist. Another brand we have with the adjustable waist is OshKosh Genuine Kids from Target.

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S.G.

answers from Chicago on

My daughter had the same problem. I found that OskKosh pants were small waisted. I also found that the addjustable band did not start until 2t also. I also found that onsies that were one size bigger were out best bet.

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L.

answers from Chicago on

I have the same problem with both my children. For shorts, I just kept them in the smaller size - shorts tend to be a bit long and you can't tell if they are shorter than they are supposed to be. My daughter is 2 1/2 and tall and she still wore 12 month shorts this year.

Pants are difficult before you reach the 2T stage. I even found with the adjustables they were still big. Sewing is one option and my sister had to do for her son.

One brand that runs slim is Small Paul. it is a bit expensive, but it is the first pair of pants that i got for my 4 year old that actually fit him properly. I also found that if you shop at non-chain stores you can ask the clerks what runs small and they are pretty good at selecting them.

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M.O.

answers from Chicago on

My son has a pair of Levi Strauss from Target (i'm pretty sure) and they have the adjustable waist band and are a size 12 months. Maybe that will help.

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A.S.

answers from Chicago on

I've found that the Sonoma brand at Kohls run long and thin. My daughter has the same issue - she's an 18 month waist on a 3T length.

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C.U.

answers from Chicago on

Children's place has smaller sizes with adjustable waists...also look for ones with elastic in the back thats what we do for my short 2 yr old. (Target Circo Brand)
Good Luck!

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T.S.

answers from Chicago on

L.,

I hear you on the small waist. Our 2 year old son was wearing 12M pants at his b-day in June and even some 6-9M shorts!

Adding my vote for adjustable waisted pants. You're right...a lot of brands only have them in size 2T and up. The only place I found that has adj waist for smaller than 2T was Gap. The jeans are expensive there, so check out ebay (if you aren't opposed to that). I got 6 pairs of almost brand new adjustable waisted jeans for the price of one pair at the store.

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M.H.

answers from Chicago on

=) love all the responses. Why is it, that they don't just make smaller waisted pants to begin with? I'd rather go up a size and have the waist fit, and roll the cuff...
Anyways, I'm in the same boat, and am also writing down the suggestions. My son is going on 4 and still has a small waist, but needs the 3T length. My daughter, 10m, is also a skinny bean.
I do like the childrens place jeans, they are elastic all the way around. I also liked Carter's pants for my son when he was 12m, they fit him great. They were like a soft twill material, from Kohl's.
If you do try sewing, here's my two cents on the elastic. Put 2-3 button holes in the elastic, just like the retailers do. I imagine you would have to reinforce the hole. OR instead of running elastic through the inner waistband, use a drawstring/shoelace.
I have to do this to some pants for my son now, because that's what he has to wear for this fall & winter. His old pants are just too short.
Best of luck!
M.

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M.H.

answers from Chicago on

Welcome to my world! At 2 years my son was still wearing some of his 12 month shorts! I have a real problem with this because my son is pretty tall!

I have found that Old Navy runs kind of slim and so does Sonoma brand from Kohl's. The Sonoma Brand are the only shorts that he wore this year in 24 months (how old he is) that never fell down. DO NOT BUY CHEROKEE, the 12 mo still falls off my son's 2 year old hips! I have found that the Gap adjustable waist is the best one, you can adjust it really small. I also like overalls, then I don't have to worry.

The other thing is I got a Myself Belt from someone as a hand me down. It's Velcro (they sell them online at Target), and even though its a little big, since it's Velcro I can overlap it until just a little bit is hooked, it has really helped. I have also just pinched the pants in the back and put in a safety pin or a few stitches.

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T.E.

answers from Chicago on

I too have this same problem with my son. I can only find the adjustable waist in 2T as well. We use a belt, size 6-12 months (he is a little over 2)

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J.L.

answers from Philadelphia on

I had and continue to have the exact same issue with my 4 year old. I found that Osh Kosh have some lines that have an elastic waist band or ties, so I try and buy all my clothes from there now, they do send really timely vouchers too for the right seasons which is handy.
But even with OshKosh if I am in a rush, I forget to check which is frustrating - I emailed them to suggest they just do this on every product - they thanked me for my feedback and sent me a voucher for a children's belt which I did use, but that is tough when potty training. Anyway in summary Osh Kosh do have a few items every season that work really well but you have to keep checking as you shop.
J. L.
<a href="http://www.aboutone.com&quot;&gt;Time Savers for Moms</a>

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C.G.

answers from Chicago on

Yep, adjustable waist. Gap, Old Navy, Children's Place, many others. Just don't get the WalMart adjustable waist pants- they only adjust about an inch tighter so they are not worth it.

I also sew my kids pants. You can just fold over an inch or so on the sides of the waistband and stitch it together. It's usually isn't visible and it does the job. As they grow you can let out one side, then the other. Another option if there is elastic is to make a hole on the inside of the waistband, cut the elastic, shorten it and tack it back together, then stitch the hole closed. This is a little more permanent unless you want to replace the elastic later with bigger elastic.

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J.S.

answers from Chicago on

My son is the same way...he is going to be 3 and could easily fit into 18-24 month waisted clothing, but the length would be way too short. I agree with the other ladies...ADJUSTABLE WAITSBAND. It has to be the best thing invented b/c even belts don't really do it for me.

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C.

answers from Chicago on

I've gotten the adjustable waist pants from Walmart and they work fine for my son. They are a lot cheaper than the other ones I've found.

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S.

answers from Chicago on

I had the same problem with my daughter. I beleive Gap, Old Navy, and Gymboree all have pants with adjustable waists. They have been a life-saver.

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C.P.

answers from Chicago on

your answer is the adjustable waist! fabulous.
baby gap, old navy, children's place... the name a few...

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