Choosing a dungarees size: length, rise and room to grow

Why dungarees size differently from trousers

Ordinary trousers only have to fit the waist and the legs. Dungarees run from the shoulders, over the nappy and back up again, so they depend on the length of your baby’s body as much as their waist. A baby with a long back can outgrow a pair of dungarees while the legs still look fine, because the straps are let out as far as they go and the crotch starts to pull.

That is why length, measured lying down, is the most useful number when you choose a size, followed by weight. Age on the label is only a starting point.

What to measure

• Length: lay your baby on their back, straighten their legs gently and measure from the top of the head to the heel. Our guide to baby sizes by age, height and weight explains how to do it with two people.
• Weight: take it from the latest check-up or vaccination card.
• Tummy: if your baby is round in the middle, measure around the tummy over their usual nappy. The bib and side fastenings need to close without strain.
• Body length of a favourite one-piece: lay a sleepsuit or romper that fits well on a flat surface and measure from the shoulder seam down to the crotch. It tells you how much body length your baby needs today.

Using the size chart

Our sizes run 0–3M, 3–6M, 6–12M, 12–18M and 18–24M, following standard international sizing. Find your baby’s length and weight on our size guide and pick the size that covers both. If they fall between two sizes, the larger one is the safer choice for dungarees in particular.

If you would like a second opinion, send us your baby’s length, weight and age on WhatsApp and ask which size to choose. We usually reply to messages within an hour.

When sizing up makes sense

• Adjustable straps take up extra body length, and turned-up hems take up extra leg length, so dungarees handle a size up better than most baby clothes.
• Buy for the size your baby will be when the season arrives. A winter pair bought in September may need to fit until February.
• Cloth nappies need more room in the seat.

When too big becomes a problem

Once the dungarees arrive, try them on and run through the checks below before your baby wears them for a whole day.

• The bib gapes away from the chest even with the straps at their shortest.
• The crotch hangs low between the knees, which gets in the way when your baby crawls.
• The legs drag on the floor even when turned up, which can trip a baby who is starting to walk.
• The side openings gape so much that the top shows through.

When the dungarees come with a top

Many dungarees are sold as a set with a top in the same size. The two pieces don’t adjust in the same way: the dungarees have straps and hems to play with, while a top only has its sleeves, which you can roll back. So if your baby sits between two sizes, check that the top will be wearable too. A top that is slightly long in the sleeve is fine for a few weeks; one that is tight across the chest or hard to get over the head is not.

Look at how the dungarees fasten, whether the hems are turned up, and what comes with them. The Beige Teddy Dungarees & Striped Top Set, for example, has button straps and sides and turned-up hems, and comes with a striped long-sleeve top in the same size.

If the size turns out wrong

Unused pieces in their original condition can be exchanged within 7 days with the original bill, as explained on our delivery and returns page. Try them on over a nappy, keep the tags on, and decide quickly.

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