Want to start by saying this isn't an ad (for now anyway!) and I'm not a brand rep I just want to recommend a few Scandinavian GOTS certified brands that are great for our son with achondroplasia and don't require any modifications despite his shorter limbs. With most clothes I find we have to compromise. It's either short enough in the sleeves but the body shows half his belly or it covers his belly but the sleeves are far too long and slide down when you fold them so you inevitably have to sew them or live with th folding battle. That or go for the t-shirt over long sleeve look, which I don't mind at times but it's nice to have a choice!
These brands sell at least one, if not more, models (both tops and bottoms) that have cuffs that are either made to be folded or that sit a bit more snuggly than normal clothes which means they don't slide down despite being a bit too long. The added bonus is that they are all organic and high quality which means they last a long time (and as our son grows slower he's in his clothes for a long time). There's even a huge demand for them on the secondhand market. Not only can you sell them on when you're done but you can get preloved items in fantastic condition for much less than the (quite high) price brand new. They also tend to come in beautiful, vibrant prints that just cheer you up to no end.
Personally the price of any of these clothes new is too high for me, but if you have the money they are so worth it. I only get them on sale or secondhand as both those price ranges are far more affordable and still hold resale value if you look after your clothes properly. I find it's just as worth it for my AH girls, but the knowledge that our son may wear things for such extended periods (years potentially) makes going for high quality clothes make all the more sense economically. There are lots and lots of independent online retailers not just here in the UK but in other countries too who sell these beautiful clothes, so by buying them you'll also be supporting independent businesses!
And just because I'm only mentioning our son, do not for a second think that there's not lots of girly options out there. A lot of the clothes are made with unisex prints, but there are some wonderful dresses out there with the fantastic cuffs I'll be covering. There's also an endless option of cool dungarees and zipsuits that again sport the awesome cuffs! And what's probably my favourite thing is that they make these clothes in such a wide array of sizes and models that not only can you find things for all the kids to match (without them necessarily being exactly the same top) but there's often adult sizes. If there isn't their older kids' ones are often wearable by adults too.
I will cover the brands that I've personally bought and know suit my criteria, but I'll also mention a couple that I've yet to try but that I've spotted end their sleeves or trousers in the same fashion.
My favourite discoveries are:
Polarn o Pyret
A Swedish brand they I grew up wearing myself and have used for our son since he was a newborn with great success - also known as the shortened P.o.P. They do some fun prints and also have a classic line of striped clothes - their navy + white and red + white being the most notable. Probably the most subtle out of the brands I'm about to go through (barring one at the end). P.o.P clothes often have the really long cuffs shows above which you can fold easily and neatly to fit the child - the still look good as full length too. Under I'm showing leggings from them as they're probably my favourite for trousers out of all of the brands above simply because they have the clever buttons and elastic on the inside to tighten if needed. Our son has a very slim waist so even when he's in 74 (6-9m) & 80 (9-12m) trousers they only fit if I can tighten them (especially as he's not got a nappy to hold trousers up!). These trousers are a 80 and Elis has used them for over 18 months now. We've got a pair of P.o.P. trousers in size 74 that are in great condition after more than 2 year's use.
Maxomorra
A Swedish brand that's been around for a decade and up until recently I felt was out of my price bracket but now that I've found these other options of buying, it's now my absolute favourite - they've just got THE best prints. Their clothes come in a variety of styles, for boys, girls and adults. They use both the long and short cuffs that mean it doesn't matter a hoot that the sleeves are too long because they don't slide over Elis' wrists. Have got the kids a few matching combinations second hand thanks to the huge choice in models.
Love the buttoned top above as it's so easy to slide over his larger head but all Max clothes are generous and yet sit snuggly over wrists and ankles which is fab on all my kids. The dungarees above are an 86-92 (18-24m) and in reality too long in the body and legs (cuffs save them though!). I will definitely be looking for dungs in 80-86, maybe even the size smaller for Elis as the body is so generous but despite them being big he doesn't look like he's drowning in them either. Dungarees in any of the brands are generally more expensive so I look for bargains where I can.
This is a set I got for my eldest but wanted to say that even when the short cuff isn't apparent Maxomorra clothes do generally have it (not always on the leggings, but it will usually say if the leggings are cuffed in the description). I like that the tunic above has the slit opening for the head and would imagine that this would be ideal for any girls with achondroplasia as there'll be no issue of fitting your head through. My own comment is that their trouser waists are VERY generous - my kids are fairly skinny too which doesn't help so I've had to tighten the elastic in the waist on these. I've just bought Elis some leggings but as they look a bit long yet I plan on leaving them for Christmas so I will let you know how the waist fits on his body shape or if it's one I need to tighten too. To be honest that is soooo much easier than shortening sleeves or trouser legs though so I don't mind at all!
Duns of Sweden
Obviously another Swedish one! Personally this is a bit of a hate and love. Some prints I find are to die for whilst others just are too busy for me but they are hugely popular and if you find a print you love it's so worth it. The mushroom forest above is a print I've fallen in love with, I've got it as a dress for myself and the eldest with a jade background while the two middle kids have gotten the print in the dark orange above (there's a jade vest waiting on the baby so we can all match, kids want me to find one for daddy but I don't think he's in love with the print in the way I am). As you can see in the photo above the sleeves are in reality WAAAY too long for our son - this is a size 92 (UK 18-24m) which is plenty long in the body too, I find 86 is currently his ideal top size but he can get away with the size up. This is mostly thanks to the snug, what I am calling "short cuff", because it keeps the sleeves above his wrists at all times so it doesn't matter that it's too long. I love that I know he'll fit in this for a long time. One this I can say is that it's a bit snug to get over his bigger head but with a stretch beforehand it doesn't cause him discomfort. The dress I've bought for myself is kids size 158 (would actually get the size down next time, especially as the sleeves are long) which is the equivalent of UK adult size 10 to be honest, even heard those in size 12 manage this size just fine - the adult sizes are A LOT more expensive so if you can get away with kids' sizes then do.
The body suit I bought for the baby because I am just so in love with this puffin print, it's a size 74 (UK 6-9m) but it just fits him as Duns is on the large side - 80 would be his ideal in dungs I think even if tops are better in 86/92.
Paapii
Finnish design company that have stolen my heart, unfortunately the priciest out of the lot I find but if you find a bargain - and you can - it is so worth it! This is a 98 (2-3 years), but I know their sizes go small - saving this treasure for Elis' Christmas presents. There's a beautiful ochre colourway of this print and I'd love to get hold of Preloved ones in larger sizes 😍 (maybe even myself!)
These other brands I've not tried on Elis but think that I may if I find something in the right print/for the right price - some I have bought things for myself, the girls or the baby in and having seen their cuffs feel they'll work on Elis too.
Moromini
Swedish again, yes I know! I've just bought myself one of their pieces and am in love - again I got myself a 158 kids' size, this is snugger than the brands above so would say that their fit is a bit neater. They have long sleeved tops that end with the short cuff and I've seen some leggings with the wide cuffs that would do Elis great. They also do some amazing looking flares, unfortunately wouldn't fit him at all but would totally get the girls some. This brand is for any retro lovers out there because they bring flower power back with a bang.
Villervalla
Another Swedish brand, I've bought something for the eldest as well as the baby and as stated above they have the short cuffs that Duns do too so would definitely get Elis something - he may have enough things just now though 😂
Geggamoja
Yes, you guessed it... Swedish. I've been buying hats from them since the eldest was a baby but they do also make beautiful, organic baby and kids clothes. If the others are too busy with their prints then this is the brand for you. Much like P.o.P. they love their stripes (but far more colour options) and their clothes also have very wide cuffs. Would definitely be perfect for an achon kid, I just prefer the brighter prints myself.
Snoozy
You'll be bored to hear it's yet another Swedish brand - I'm not doing it on purpose because I'm Swedish, I promise! - I've bought the baby a vest with the short cuffs and again would consider giving it a go for Elis, although I'll admit I don't love love a lot of their prints personally. As you might have guessed I seem to have a thing for mushrooms!
Småfolk
Yes, yes it's Swedish AGAIN - what can I say we like fun and functional clothes that are ethically made. They end a lot of their cuffs with the slim cuff that Duns does so I imagine it would also prevent the sliding down effect. This is one I've not tried for any of us, some of their prints aren't for me but they do some cool stripey clothes I'd be into. Hence the lack of photo examples for this or any below!
Danefae
A Danish company that often has its signature Viking printed onto colourful, stripey backgrounds. Personally find them a bit pricey and mostly dull in comparison to some of the others. But I wouldn't be opposed to giving their products a go if I found it for the right price, not everything has the ideal cuffs but have seen both the short and wide ones)
Naperonuttu
And another Finnish one with cool, colourful prints often in retro styles and with wide cuffs. Nearly got a pair of Preloved dungarees but the legs were just a bit too long in the size that was up for sale, Elis would no doubt have gotten away with a size smaller which would have fitted his legs better so it's one I'll be trying in the future)
Lindex
Finally another Swedish brand that is super affordable (even the brand new stuff!) and made out of organic materials. Unfortunately they don't consistently do the awesome cuffs that all the above do so not always ideal for our son (although one of the few I am willing to fold the sleeves on if needed). I do love their clothes and even the things that have been used by all three kids are still in perfect condition so I recommend them wholeheartedly for average height kids. Their jumpers do have the cuffs that are good though, and they do 3/4 length sleeves and trousers so doesn't need to be overlooked completely.
Please feel free to message me about any of these brands and if you wonder how the measurements will fit - in particular if you want to compare to our son's achondroplasia frame. I know all achon kids grow differently so there's no one size fits all and age is difficult to go by but hopefully getting measurements would give you a good idea. Elis is currently 2.5 years old - all these fun clothes with cuffs have been a game changer for us. Hope they'll make some other families happy too!
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